Over The Years With The Boston Bruins
Mention to a hardcore hockey fan from New England, particularly one from Massachusetts, that your favorite NHL team is not the Boston Bruins and, well, good luck. You see the Bruins own a special place in the hearts of hockey fans from Boston to Bangor. The team is one of the NHL’s “Original Six” and as such carries with it a storied tradition. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at this famous franchise.
The Bruin team was assembled in 1924 as the first team to become part of the NHL. They faced many commercial conflicts for many years. Things started to really become a viable business in 1942, in the middle of World War II. There were six teams in the league, hence the name “original six.” Boston was one of those six.
The beginning years, the years prior to the War, were not bad for the team. It took the only three years to find themselves competing for the coveted Stanly Cup. It was then that they accumulated Eddie Shore, who would later be in the Hall of Fame. By 1929 they had become a team to take seriously having won the 1928-1929 Stanly Cup by beating the New York Rangers. The next year they boasted an amazing 38-6 record, a win percentage that has still yet to be topped.
The Bruin team would go on to win the Cup in 1939 and again in 1941, besting the Maple Leafs and Red Wings respectively. But from that watershed year of 1942 until 1970, Bruin fans wallowed in disappointment. It was a particularly tough time to root for the team from 1959 to 1967. They never once made it to the playoffs.
So it was with unbridled enthusiasm that fans of the club followed the 1969-1970 team. Although the team finished second in the East Division, they did qualify for the playoffs. From there it was like they were shot out of a cannon. Beginning with a four games to two victory over the Rangers in their first round match up, they then rolled over the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-0.
By this time the excitement in Boston and its surroundings was palpable among fans. For the first time in twenty-nine years their team had a chance to take it all. They did not disappoint. Their opponent was the St. Louis Blues. And the Blues never had a chance. They were dispatched by the Bruins four games to none.
When folks look back at the Bruin team over the years, they usually think of two special players: Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr. Phil was among the most prolific scorers ever and Bobby is considered by many to be the best defensive player of all time.
It is worth noting that from that 1969 season until 1997 the Bruins qualified for the playoffs every year, quite a remarkable string of success. Even today the team is one of the league’s most competitive franchises. So you can’t help but think that Bruin fans everywhere are still as passionate as ever.Bobbie Barton is a fitness trainer She likes SportsFanTreasures.com and recommends you check out their info on