Bruins get blanked, make trade?

 

The Bruins faced the Whalers in an important Adams Division clash last night at the Hartford Civic Arena. The buzz around the club, though, was Scott Young and Paul Cavallini being pulled from the pre-game skate to join me up in the press box (more on that later). This seemed to rattle the team a bit, and they just seemed to never be in this one mentally in a 4-0 loss.

 

With Young and Cavallini out of the lineup, Kenny Baumgartner and Jamie Macoun drew in. Baummer did himself no favours late in the first, taking a major for kicking. They were already down a goal when Mario Lemieux beat Curtis Joseph earlier in the frame. If Kenny wants to force his way into the lineup that was not the way to do it.

 

Hartford took advantage early in the second, when Peter Andersson scored, set up by former Bruin Ray Ferraro. The period was fairly even, despite the penalty disparity in the period. “I wasn’t happy with the undisciplined play tonight,” said coach Guvremont. “We actually take the third least penalties of any team in the NFHL on average, and tonight you wouldn’t have known that. Not good.”

 

In the third the Whalers put it away, with a PP goal by Luc Robitaille and Peter Popovic also beating Cujo. Shots were 29-21 Hartford in the game, but all the talk after the game was about a potential move by the Bruin GM. Rumours were swirling about Young and Cavallini being moved in a deal for Alexander Mogilny but nothing was confirmed by team sources.

 

After the game, the NFHL announced the starters for this years All Star game in Tampa Bay. Winger Troy Murray garnered the most fan votes and will be a starter for the Wales Conference. Jim Peplinski finished third in voting among centres and Theoren Fleury finished second in right wing voting. “I’m honoured to have been chosen to play in the game, let alone be a starter,” said Troy Murray. “Especially at this point in my career. It’s a dream come true.”

 

The Bruins head to Philly to face the Flyers tomorrow night, and there may be a new face or two in the lineup.

 

GAME STARS:

 

3. Ray Ferraro

2. Luc Robitaille

1. Bill Ranford

 

GAME NOTES:

 

-The Bruin PP went 0 for 2 and PK went 3 for 5

-Libor Dolana went down in the first and expected to be day to day with a LBI

 

THE SANDWICH REPORT:

 

The Sandwich Bruins travelled to Connecticut and got blasted 19-3. Not a good showing at all for this team who’s aspirations of making a run for the Wales Conference championship.