Fresh Links: International Stage Edition

<p><b> In Bruins news: </b></p>

<ul>

<li> The Bruins left off Saturday afternoon having thoroughly trounced the Ottawa Senators, 7-2. [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2014/02/bruins_rip_sens_in_last_game_before_break">BostonHerald</a>]</li>

<li> Zdeno Chara spoke about growing up in the former Czechoslovakia, following in his father's footsteps to the Olympic games, and being named to carry his country's flag. [<a href="http://video.bruins.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=558556">Bruins.NHL</a>]</li>

<li> He has made quite a splash in Sochi and was immediately recognized by Canadian athletes, but Chara's size also presented a very specific problem for his hosts... [<a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2014/02/zdeno_chara_already_a_big_hit_at_olympics.html">Boston.com</a>]</li>

<li> Five Bruins, along with coach Claude Julien and GM Peter Chiarelli, are off to Sochi. Loui Eriksson (Sweden) faces teammate David Krejci (Czech Republic) first, and says a mouthguard saved his teeth on Thursday. Caution led to holding Daniel Paille out in the third period, and Adam McQuaid remains close to a return. [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2014/02/julien_chiarelli_5_players_now_set_their_sights_on_sochi">BostonHerald</a>]</li>

<li> Patrice Bergeron will be posting photos of the Sochi scene for the Bruins on Instagram, here's a picture of Eriksson en route on the charter flight. [<a href="https://twitter.com/nhlbruins/status/432639555154771968">nhlbruins</a>]</li>

<li> At the Bruins' Casino Night, we learned that Brad Marchand even chirps at the card table! [<a href="http://video.bruins.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=559171&amp;catid=1345">Bruins.NHL</a>]</li>

<li> Just a reminder, AHL action continues during the Olympic break, our own Steph would like to whet your appetite! The PBruins' Alexander Khokhlachev snipes one. <a href="http://twitpic.com/dv0jo0" title="Koko puts P-Bruins up 3-1 in the third period on this excelle... on Twitpic"><img src="http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/dv0jo0.gif" width="150" height="150" alt="Koko puts P-Bruins up 3-1 in the third period on this excelle... on Twitpic"></a></li>

</ul>

<p><b> Elsewhere around the rink, mostly Olympic news: </b></p>

<ul>

<li> Did you miss the Olympic opening ceremonies and first day or two of action? This'll get you up to speed. [<a href="http://grantland.com/features/sochi-olympics-opening-ceremony/">Grantland</a>]</li>

<li> Team USA women have beaten Switzerland, 9-0. [<a href="http://olympics.usahockey.com/news_article/show/348206?referrer_id=1093259">Olympics.USAHockey</a>]</li>

<li> An overview of the NHL players' preparations, arrival in Sochi, and what to expect in the tournament. (Video, 5:41) [<a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/crosby-ovechkin-the-biggest-attractions-in-sochi/">Sportsnet</a>]</li>

<li> The Canadian media have found the people of Sochi delightful and hospitable, but the acommodations are a bit... Potemkin village. [<a href="http://www.canada.com/olympics/columns/arthur-were-a-little-worried-about-you-sochi">OttawaCitizen</a>]</li>

<li> Remember Canada's "Red Zeppelin?" It may be grounded, as it has been called "ambush marketing." [<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/olympic-committee-takes-issue-with-labatt-hockey-ad/article16770970/">TheGlobeAndMail</a>]</li>

<li> Because ‘MERICA! A profile of Nutmeg State native Max Pacioretty. [<a href="http://hockeyjournal.com/news/pros/nhl/Connecticut-s_Pacioretty_takes_aim_at_Sochi_gold_with_Team_USA">NewEnglandHockeyJournal</a>]</li>

<li> A dapper gentleman from Budapest holds the record as the oldest Olympic hockey player. [<a href="http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2014/02/bela-ordody-was-oldest-hockey-olympian.html">GreatestHockeyLegends</a>]</li>

<li> Another unlikely story of an older goalie being signed to play for the Syracuse Crunch, as injuries to both Lightning goalies required two call-ups. [<a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/from-pushing-pills-to-stopping-pucks-as-a-46-year-old-ahl-backup/ ">TheHockeyNews</a>]</li>

<li> Who is surprised to see which Vancouver Canuck is involved in a hair pulling incident? [<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/alex-burrows-attacks-pulls-phil-kessel-lustrous-head-055159235--nhl.html">PuckDaddy</a>]</li>

<li> Here's a look behind the curtain at Hockeyfights.com, striving to document and chronicle the sweet science. [<a href="http://grantland.com/features/a-visit-from-the-goon-squad/">Grantland</a>]</li>

</ul>