Hub City Horrors (Diary of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs)

Yanni Gourde's Diary: Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Toronto, Canada

Eastern Conference, Hotel X

Back at it for another game! We're gonna kick ass again! We have the Bruins today and they've been so anti-Boston-like. It's refreshing really! On our down day in between, we played some pickleball and tennis and I'm not going to brag, but my partner and I kicked ass, 6-0! Well, today we're back at the games.

I'm facing off against Krejci for the opening draw. We pour on the pressure immediately, kind of like how we did with the Capitals! The Bruins end up taking a hooking penalty and sending us to the powerplay.

Bad idea, Bruins!

There's some nice zone momentum for us on the man advantage. Nothing comes from it yet as Cernak blocks a shot as the Bruins try to get some pressure for themselves. Not so fast, Vasy's on his game!

That's when we get it back with a rush from Pally and Kuch. They streak into the zone, passing it back and Kuch tips it on net. It rebounds back and -- who else but -- Pointer gets the first goal from a scramble in front of tnet.

1-0 Bolts!

We keep up with the pressure, Cernak taking a solid hit and Rutta making a shot on net to draw a whistle and stop play.

And that's when my line comes back out.

"How's the Pointer goal feeling, Baby Bears?" I chirp as we get set for the faceoff.

Apparently the Bruin doesn't hear me or ignores me. Whatever. I don't care. My linemates and I get to work once more, pinning the Boston players in the zone with solid pressure.

And the Bruins take a 'too many men' penalty, putting us back on the powerplay!

Again, bad idea, Boston!

Our powerplay can be potent! We have weapons from all sides.

It's Killer this time that sinks a shot into the back of the net for a 'PPG' (power play goal)!

2-0 Bolts!

There's a slight, momentary momentum shift. Miscommunication happens and Rutta ends up breaking up a Bruins rush from someone named Bjork.

Misha decides to show off with some of his fancy moves as we retake the zone, but the Bruins launch back toward Vasy and he stops their potential surge. And that leads to some back and forth action between the two of us.

Then Pickles drops the gloves with Krug. I'm not feeling like fighting today, so I'm letting him have the pleasure. (Besides, Pickles hates Bruins more than I do!)

Tony is crosschecked in the back by Ritchie and the two of them go at one another. One thing I'll say is don't poke Tony. He will not be afraid to come back and fuck up your life! In fact, don't mess with ANY of us really.

Pat Maroon chirps Ritchie after he catches him mouthing off to Tony as they come off. I'm at the far end of the bench, ready for the next shift, but I can still hear them going at one another. The usual Pat Maroon threat of "don't make me come over there and fuck up your life!" and then a response of, "go ahead and try it, Maroon!"

Tempers are flaring and the game is picking up in terms of physicality as Pointer is crushed against the boards. He doesn't like it at all and comes back at McAvoy. He receives a double minor and so we head to the PK.

Whatever, Bruins. Bruins gonna Bruin.

Pat Maroon actually ends up serving Pointer's extra two as the clock winds down at the end of the period.

This time, I'm here for the end of the period haha.

Donut saves a goal for us as the Bruins pound on the powerplay. And I'm on the ice for the final seconds of the period.