On Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:21 -0700, "Ian Wilson" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Certainly you have your point, but we just disagree. I think it was a > bigger deal than you do. If it happens during a scrum, no one looks > twice. This was quite a bit after the whistle, when everyone had moved > up the ice. Avery just hung back and decidedly took a swipe > > > He didn't take a *swipe*, that's not accurate. There was no movement of > his stick, he skated by and let the blade mildly contact the back of > Thomas' helmet. To me taking a *swipe* implies movement and the > intention to inflict some hurt. I can't get into Avery's head, but I > really don't think he meant to hurt Thomas, and *swiping* involves at > least some arm movement, he didn't do that, he just left the blade of his > stick where it would tap the back of Thomas' helmet. I agree he hung > back, I truly believe he knew exactly what he was doing, I disagree he > *swiped* at Thomas. McSorley took a swipe at Brashear. I should have been more clear... When I said "took a swipe at him," it wasn't meant to be taken literally. I should have just said he tried to goad him. > I know what you're saying, but for some reason in this instance, I think > Avery doesn't need a reaction from the opposing players. If they ignored > him he would still do what he does. His audience is the fans and the > other players on his team. > > You could be right, but there is no evidence to the contrary because no > one ever ignores him. When all is said and done, in the end, Avery was > effective. He accomplished what he set out to do. In the end he wins, > Thomas, and the fans may be feeling better about what Thomas did, but if > the Rangers meet the Bruins in the playoffs, Avery is going to be all > over Thomas because he has seen it takes very little to get him going. You are probably right, but I think there is also a difference between a regular season game where the Bruins are winning, and a playoff game. I hope Thomas knows the difference. I admit that perhaps it's more clear than ever in the Rangers locker room that "oh my, look -- Thomas sure has a temper, doesn't he?" I guess the best answer to a player like that is just winning. I hope the Bruins don't get rattled by Avery if they meet in the playoffs... You know, when Savard was playing for the Rangers I remember I really hated him too. I don't specifically recall what led me to feel like that, but I seem to recall he was one of those players who would tap a goaltender and then smile and say, "oh! Sorry! I didn't see you there!" Perhaps this is one of the reasons Sinden said he wasn't "a fan." I don't know. I'm not looking for Savard to play that role on this team obviously... But it's obvious that agitators are effective at what they do, and it seems they can have a much greater effect on the other team than so-called "enforcers." Sometimes I wish the Bruins had an agitator, but other times I think the whole concept is a joke and that any team that has one is trying to make up for a lack of talent. It's easy to be all high and mighty and say your team doesn't need someone like that, until you run into the Rangers and Avery in the playoffs and you see how effective it can be. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Go Bruins Mailing List" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/go-bruins?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
