Bruins at the Quarter Pole

The Bruins are roughly one quarter of the way through the season and off to a surprisingly strong start. Through the first 21 games, the B's are 14-3-4 and currently hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference. To find the last time that the Bruins failed to collect points in a game, you need to go all the way back to October 30th when they lost 3-2 to the Calgary Flames on the road. The B's have gone 9-0-1 since then.

The Bruins have used their depth to their advantage by getting significant production from all four lines and getting solid play from younger guys who have stepped up when veterans went down with injuries. The Bruins have gotten outstanding goaltending from Tim Thomas, who leads the league in save percentage (.944%) and is second in goals against (1.80 GAA), while Manny Fernandez has been a very serviceable back up (5-1-1 .910 Sv% 2.55 GAA). To quote Jack Edwards, "Boston is a hockey town again!".

Best Goal: Blaker Wheeler from Strum and Krejci vs. Toronto 11/6



Best Save: Tim Thomas robbing Hemsky vs. Edmonton 10/27



Best Highlight Reel Moment: Lucic putting Mike Van Ryn through the glass



Best Shootout Move: P.J. Axelsson vs. Chicago 11/12



Best Fight: Milan Lucic vs. Mike Komisarek 11/13



Best NHL First: Blake Wheeler's Hat Trick vs. Toronto 11/6



Best Celebration: Whoever threw the bra on the ice to celebrate Wheeler's hat trick.

Best Jack Edwards Quote: "Matty Niskanen isn't going to be a pretty little boy anymore!"

Hey drunk fat kid, what do you think of the B's success so far this season?


Candidates for Stanley Cup of Chowder Awards
At the end of the season I will be handing out the 1st Annual Stanley Cup of Chowder Awards to members of the Boston Bruins who have displayed excellence during the season. The following is a list of the awards and the current front runners for each honor.

Chowder Pot
The Chowder Pot is awarded annually to the member of the Boston Bruins who scores the most goals during the regular season.

Candidates
Phil Kessel 10 Goals
Marc Savard 8 Goals
Milan Lucic 6 Goals
Marco Sturm 6 Goals
Blake Wheeler 6 Goals

Johnnie Cochran Memorial Trophy
The Johnnie Cochran Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the best defenseman on the Boston Bruins.

Candidates
Dennis Wideman (5-5-10), +11, 34 Blocked Shots
Zdeno Chara (4-5-9), +1, 56 Hits, 40 BkS
Andrew Ference (0-7-7), +9
Aaron Ward (0-3-3), +7, 60 Hits, 42 BkS
Matt Hunwick (2-3-5), +6

Planned Parenthood Award for Goaltending Excellence
The Planned Parenthood Award for Goaltending Excellence is awarded annually to the member of the Boston Bruins who tries the hardest to avoid letting one slip past the goalie.

Candidates
Tim Thomas 14 GP 9-2-3, 1.80 GAA .944 Sv%, 2 SO
Manny Fernandez 7 GP 5-1-1 2.55 GAA .910 Sv%


William Shakespeare Playmaker Award
The William Shakespeare Playmaker Award is awarded annually to the member of the Boston Bruins who is able make his teammates better and can create for others on the ice.

Candidates
Marc Savard 19 Assists, +13
Patrice Bergeron 10 Assists, +2
David Krejci 9 Assists, +7
Michael Ryder 8 Assists, +4


Henry Rowengartner Trophy
The Rowengartner Trophy is awarded annually to the member of the Boston Bruins who demonstrates outstanding play during his rookie season.

Candidates
Blake Wheeler (6-3-9), +7
Matt Hunwick 9 GP, (2-3-5), +6


Big Boss Man Enforcer Award
The Big Boss Man Enforcer Award is awarded annually to the member of the Boston Bruins who isn't afraid to drop the gloves to protect his teammates and maintain order on the ice.

Candidates
Shawn Thornton 5 Fighting Majors
Milan Lucic 2 Fighting Majors


Aaron Burr Trophy
The Burr Trophy is awarded annually to the member of the Boston Bruins who displays great skill in the shootout.

Candidates
Blake Wheeler (2 for 3)
Phil Kessel (Tied for NHL Record 9 Career Game Deciding Shootout Goals)
P.J. Axelsson (1 for 2)
David Krejci (1 for 2)


Fred Cusick Award
The Fred Cusick Award is awarded annually to the member of the Boston Bruins who spends the most time in the press box (healthy scratch).

Candidates
Matt Lashoff
Matt Hunwick
Petteri Nokelainen
Vladimir Sobotka


Buddy Cianci "Prince of Providence" Award
The Buddy Cianci "Prince of Providence" Award is awarded annually to the Bruins prospect who demonstrates outstanding play at the AHL level.

Candidates
Johnny Boychuk
Tuuka Rask
Martin St. Pierre
Martins Karsums
Vladimir Sobotka
Matt Lashoff


"The Last Girl on the Pinwheel" Award
"The Last Girl on the Pinwheel" Award is awarded annually to the member of the Boston Bruins who displays outstanding skating ability but tends to avoid physical play.

Candidates
Phil Kessel 2 Hits
Blake Wheeler 9 Hits


Brian Scalabrine "Fan Favorite" Award
The Brian Scalabrine "Fan Favorite" Award is awarded annually to the member of the Boston Bruins that is embraced most by the fans. It is the only award that is voted on by the readers. Voting will begin after the All Star break.