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It's that time of year. The birds are returning. The snow is melting. The Beanpot is behind us and the NHL playoffs are on their way. And also there's something called March Madness that always creates buzz in other parts of the country and various casinos. I don't know. I've heard things. It sounds fun.
But we're a hockey blog. A Bruins hockey blog. So how can we take part in the festivities? We give you!
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We enter directly into the Sweet Sixteen, looking back at Brad Marchand's best moments as a Bruin. Broken down into four branches, we'll go over his best goals, best shorthanded goals, most memorable on-ice antics, and favorite off-ice happenings over the last five years. Each day, we'll post a new matchup, and voting will last just a day. Let the best Marchand memory win!
So without further ado, our first match isssssss....
Round One: Goals
1. Goal & Taunt vs. Matt Cooke & the Pittsburgh Penguins
The year is 2013, and it's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Boston is up 1-0 in the series, but just gave up a goal cutting their lead to 3-1. Pittsburgh is looking to make a comeback before the Noseface Killah flies down the wall and roofs one over Marc-Andre Fleury's glove hand, giving the Bruins their 2nd three-goal lead of the period. Boston would go on to win the game decisively, and sweep the series. But this goal summed up how the Bruins were able to take the Penguins' punches, and respond with haymakers.
4. The Overtime Deke & Game-Winner Against Florida
Who woulda thought back in November that the two points gained from this goal would've had serious playoff implications. With three games still to be played against the Panthers down the stretch, the extra point could've made all the difference. After a great game in regulation, Brad Marchand is finally able to put one in the back of the net with 90 seconds left in overtime. It's one of Brad's best dekes and finishes in recent memory, and being his 5th goal of the season, got him out of an early season funk.
The 2 vs. 3 match up will be named tomorrow, but who takes it in this round? Do we get an upset because we love when the Bruins score on Luongo? Or do we still love seeing Matt Cooke get embarrassed?