Tear Jerker Tuesday

If you haven't caught this story that E60 did on former Harvard hockey player and current NHL'er, Dominic Moore, called "Coming Home", I suggest you check it out. Get the tissues ready.

This is why we live every day to the fullest, because we never know what craziness life will throw at us.

http://vimeo.com/92867833

Legend of the Octopus

Was talking with @RyanDelaney10 on our way to hockey last night (to what turned out to be the Clams final game of the year, but not ready to blog about that yet) about how the Bruins have become like the Patriots. We expect them to not only make the playoffs each year, but we expect them to make a run. Like a sunburn in Wellfleet, it's become an essential part of a Boston summer.

What I love about this new tradition is inviting everyone into the world of hockey that some of us have been a part of since we put on skates at the age of 2 even if it is only for 6-8 weeks between April and June. To me, that is completely fine. Jump on the bandwagon, this sport and the B's deserve it. 

It seems like only a few years ago that no one knew what icing or offsides was. No one could name 3 players in Bruins history besides Bourque, Neely and Orr. Today, people know the nightly roster ... Noseface, Tuukka, Big Z, Miller and Krug. As Claude said after the Game 2 win, the fans of Boston appreciate the rough and tough way they play the game and they will never apologize for that. They are a true definition of our city.

What I also love about this time of year is the questions I get - from friends, family, guys, girls, doesn't matter. 

"Why was that not a trip?"

"What the hell is Jack talking about?"

"Did Tuukka almost just get hit by an octopus?" (this one was from my wife)

As a Wings fan growing up, I wanted to quickly explain the Legend of the Octopus as maybe you were just as confused as she was and maybe you will begin to appreciate it as much as I do. It's unique, it's crazy, it's Hockeytown.

The octopus concept started back in the 1950's when all a team had to do was play two best-of-seven series to win the Stanley Cup. That's 8 wins to capture sports greatest trophy. How many legs does an octopus have? 8 ... it only makes sense. Two local brothers who owned a market threw an octopus onto the ice at "The Old Red Barn", the Wings home before The Joe, and the Wings went on to sweep Toronto and Montreal en route to the 1952 Cup. They went on to win 2 of the next 3 cups, so a tradition was born and has grown significantly.

More recently, in '95, Detroit faithful threw 36 total octopi on the ice during one game, including a 38 pound guy which resulted in Detroit's mascot, Al ... a purple octopus. There are two purple octopi now hanging from the rafters at the Joe to symbolize how many wins it takes today to capture the Cup ... 16. How many legs do two octopi have? You get it.

It is accepted, it is welcome, and again, it is creative in a way that only makes sense in the sport of hockey. Other places have tried it including Boston where a fan threw a lobster on the ice during the 1995 playoffs against the Devils, Florida where rats were thrown, New Jersey and Nashville fish, San Jose sharks, etc ... but only in Detroit has it remained a tradition.

Unfortunately for Wings fans, I don't think many more squishy bodies will hit the ice at the Joe this year. Montreal is waiting and the B's will win the next two to greet them.

2014 Boston Marathon

Today, the marathon is ours. We bring it back to being one of, if not, the best day in Boston each year. Undoubtedly, an emotional day for all even before the events of last year, but today will be something special.

A year later, we are back, on the 3rd Monday of April, and we are running again. As promised. We have run races, held charity events, bought t-shirts, watched every ounce of media coverage, but today we are here. Was there ever any doubt? If the events of the past week, and hearing survivor stories, and watching my great friend Pat Downes impress the world with his words, hasn't made you want to run, donate, or just be around the awesomeness of today then your heart must have fallen out of your body somewhere along the way. I'd suggest going back to find it, pick it back up, and get involved. The events and passion shown by Bostonians today is going to tug at everyone of its strings. Today will undoubtedly be a day to remember.

Good luck to all of the runners today. You've put in the work through a miserable training winter. You've endured injuries, loaded up on carbs @PrezzaBoston, and may not be feeling 100% today, but when you hit that pavement, let your fellow runners and the city of Boston lead you to Boylston. Let the images you have seen this past year stay fresh in your mind. Let your family or friends and all the issues or drama you may be experiencing build up so that it can be released when you cross that finish line. There is nothing bigger than that, for you, today.

A special good luck to Tim Mullaney #26175 (@TMullaney15 / @thestrawman15) who will be running Mile 18 in honor of my mom, Sal Merlino #25669 (@salmerlino) in from NY riding some momentum off a huge Flyers win last night, Paul Sodergen #26400 (@insodwetrust), Digitas Runners: Shannon #29730 (@shannonlobrien), Justin #29932 (@J_Unger), Molly #28584, Peter #29728 (@PeterRiddle). Kevin, Julia and more, and to one of my best friends and groomsman, Colin Carey #29954, whos last few weeks have been a battle through multiple injuries, but never missed an early morning run in negative degrees and absolutely will be strapping up at that starting line.

A local good luck to Shalane Flanagan (@ShalaneFlanagan) and her drive to win the ladies event. We'll be waiting for Colin and the rest of you at the finish.

Lastly, to Pat #36469 and Jess #36470, whether you end up getting on those hand bikes or not today, we stand behind you. If you need to be carried, we will carry you. If you need to be pushed, we will push you. We are ALWAYS behind you and your passion, resilience, and love is an inspiration to us all. We think about you today and every day.

We are ALL behind all of you today and will do what we can as spectators to help you achieve this lifelong incredible moment.

Nat and I are heading to the Sox game shortly and then walking over towards the finish line. I can't wait to see the scene.

Have fun, enjoy the energy of the crowd, and continue to define #BostonStrong and #WatertownStrong.

To track friends and family, text their bib numbers to 345678.

Happy Marathon Monday!

Seabrook hit

100% dirty. Absolutely left his feet and led with forearm/shoulder whatever but left his feet aiming at Backes head. Backes is a guy who plays the game about as hard and right as anyone in the show.

Disgraceful and Seabrook should get 3 games. The fact that he was laughing about it is pretty gross too. Grow up and play the game hard, but right. 

#NHLplayoffs #GoBlues #HateTheHawks

So sick

That was not human ... Datsyuk just scored the goal of the playoffs and it's only game 1. Behind the back between the legs to split 3 guys and then finish. Cut it out.

Tough loss ... Going to be a good one.

Unfurl the banner ...

into the storm we go!!

Heading in to best time of the year and no one better to fire us up than Jack. Unreal opening monologue. Playoff hockey. Let's go.

Does Edward Snowden asking Putin a question about US Secret Service in their "marathon" Q&A not freak anyone else out?

Because it scares the shit out me. Timing is not suspicious at all. Guy wants to take our moon and holds a "marathon" of his own all this week. If that doesn't set off any alarms, we are doing something wrong.

Chad Johnson wants us to kiss our bosses today

I gotta tell you, waking up to the words of wisdom from @ochocinqo really puts a pep in my step everyday. He just tweeted "hi, have a great day and leave the loving to me. I love you and kiss your bosses on the lips today just because." 

What does that even mean? This would be super awkward in not some, not the majority, but every manager/employee relationship in the world. Every where from the highest of high suits to construction sites, a nice unexpected manager-employee smooch makes for a weird start to a Thursday.

Unless there's some meaning of "kiss your bosses on the lips" that I am just not cool enough to understand? Keep on being you, Chad.

Trash police?

Is this what the next 5 days are going to be like? Trash police writing tickets on Boylston? Camera crew backpacks being blown up? Performances getting the best of us? I sure as shit hope not and we can cheer and cry like we've never done before on Monday. 

What did you do last night?

Because I sat at the 99 in Charlestown crushing popcorn, big boy Bud Lights, and boneless gold fevers while going 3 for 3 with wins from Pittsburgh, Montreal and Anaheim. Try to tell me you had a better night. Impossible. Could have offered me a beach chair in Aruba for my barstool ... No thanks, I'm set right here.

23 goals in 3 games? So much for playoff hockey ... What are your thoughts on bar TV's? I understand we are in Boston and we love the Red Sox, but I mean watching game 8 in April over playoff anything wouldn't even cross my mind? I don't care that 80% of the grandfathers at the bar had Sox hats on. It's the playoffs. Turn that shit off until August when Papi and I will start to care.

Overall though, great service, great people. Get busy living or get busy dying. That about sums up a night at the 99. With free popcorn, I don't really care either way.

Big slate of 4 more games tonight. May have to go back and start knocking off those 9 entrees for $9.99 one at a time. Let's keep 'er going.

NHL Series Locks

As you know, like Joffrey, @LodgeLocks is dead and your bank account may be feeling it,  so I'm going to make it up to you right now. Games start tonight, so no time for messing around, let's giddy up.

Easiest Money = St. Louis Blues - 110 over Chicago Blackhawks

I'm not going to tell you how many games it's going to go or what the scores will be, but the Blues are the best team in the NHL. Period. They have proven it all year (well until the last week or so), made the big move for Ryan Miller, and are going to go a long way. Starting with a W over last year's bullshit champ.

Good Money = New York Rangers -155 over Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche -135 over Minnesota Wild

Yeah, two favorites, but there's a reason for that. Both are going to win the series. May go 7, who cares, pay me.

Upset Money = Los Angeles Kings +125 over San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens -105 over Tampa Bay Lightning (-115)

The Kings are crazy value here and Quicky always seems to step up when he needs to. These will be boring, low scoring games and they will grind it out in 6. Habs over Lightning is a crap shoot and Tampa won our season total bet with ease, but don't think they have what it takes when it matters. I mean Montreal fans vs. Tampa fans? Sorry, Stevie Y, you are slightly outmatched.

Simple Winners (but wouldn't touch) = Pittsburgh Penguins -290 over Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks -190 over Dallas Stars.

There will be no upset here. Pittsburgh rolls. The Ducks v. Stars is the toughest pick of them all, especially because of Bombay's personal connection to Modano and the Stars, but think the experience takes over and Fulton and the boys get it done with some Game 7 Iceland-esque heroics.

No idea (and this line is way too big) = Boston Bruins -300 over Detroit Red Wings

Simply because it's Titletown and I want another rally. It's like picking your favorite sibling or child. These are my two squads and have been since I was about 6, so watching/attending these games will be like choosing a chicken parm sub over general gau's chicken for me. Great either way and whoever wins goes on to win the cup.

Happy Playoffs and thank me tomorrow. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IpHHtl8gC4