Tag / Zdeno Chara

by Matt Noonan

Daily Noontime: Monday, March 23rd, 2020

DNMarch23rd2020

By Matt Noonan | @NoontimeNation 

It’s Monday, which means its time for a brand new week. Are you ready?

As usual, we’re here to put a smile on your face and take some time away from news of the coronavirus (COVID-19), which is exactly what we will start doing … now!

Today’s Weather in Boston (and the Greater Boston Area): After a nice weekend with some sun and wind, it will be a bit cooler today – look for temperatures hovering between 34 and 38 degrees. It will be overcast for the majority of the day – maybe we’ll see the sun for a few minutes? – but then a wintry mix arrives later this afternoon, which will turn to rain for most of us this evening. 

Luckily, tomorrow will be warmer and include the sun, but there seems to be a lot of rain in the forecast this week, which means we should all just stay indoors (and be safe, of course!).

The Noontime Headlines for Monday, March 23rd, 2020 

In Case You Missed It: 

  • We started our first theme week here at Noontime Sports (and NoontimeSports.com) yesterday – we are producing content on Boston and New England sports teams from the past decade. And we began with our All-Decade Boston Bruins team.

On This Date in History 

  • 1948: Kansas topped Baylor in the 10th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship to claim the program’s first-ever national title.
  • 1957: North Carolina beat Kansas, 54-53, in triple-overtime in the 19th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Wilt Chamberlain, who played for Kansas, became the fourth player to be named the tournament’s most valuable player despite not being on the championship squad.
  • 1963: Loyola-Chicago beats Cincinnati, 60-58, in overtime in the 25th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, providing the Ramblers with their initial title in their first-ever finals appearance.
  • 1994: Wayne Gretzky sets the NHL record with 802 goals scored.
by Matt Noonan

Noontime’s All-Decade Boston Bruins Team (2010-19)

Boston Bruins

Members of both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 Boston Bruins players pose in front of the team’s last Stanley Cup Banner. (PHOTO COURTESY: Matt Noonan/NoontimeSports.com)

By NoontimeSports.com | @NoontimeNation 

It’s time to kick-off a brand new week here at Noontime Sports (and NoontimeSports.com) – we are calling it the “All-Decade Week” where we will be producing content about various sports teams from the past ten years, beginning with our very own Boston Bruins squad from 2010 to 2019.

We’re excited for a fun week of content on the past decade of both Boston and New England sports – we hope you are as well – so again, enjoy our very first team of the week, which highlights some key members of the Black and Gold, including skaters from the 2011 Stanley Cup squad.

Noontime’s All-Decade Boston Bruins Team (Starting Line-Up)

Offense (Forward): Brad Marchand (2018-19): Marchand was a player to watch last season as he tallied a career-highs in assists (64) and points (100) while netting 36 goals (he was three markers shy of matching a career-best of 39 goals from 2017). He tallied additional career-bests last season in power-play goals (10), game-winning goals (nine), even strength assists (36) and four power-play assists. In the postseason, he recorded a career-high 23 points in 24 contests, including a pair of game-winning goals.

Offense (Center): Patrice Bergeron (2013-2014): A four-time Frank J. Selke Trophy Winner, Bergeron has been a key member for the Bruins, both this current season and since he arrived in Boston for his initial campaign with the Black and Gold in 2003. The tenured center claimed his third Selke award during the 2014-15 season after producing 62 points in 80 regular-season contests. He scored seven game-winning goals, which matched his mark from the 2016-17 season while tallying 243 shots on goal. He averaged close to 18 minutes of ice time and was considered for the Hart Memorial Trophy (placed fifth) and Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (placed 13th).

Offense (Center): David Krejci (2013-14): A nominee for both the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy and Frank J. Selke Trophy, Krejci concluded the 2013-14 season with 69 points on 19 goals and 50 assists. He netted 16 even-strength goals, which is just five less than his career-best of 21 from the 2011-12 season while also recording three power-play goals and six game-winning markers. Finally, he concluded the season with a career-high of 16 power-play assists.

Defense: Zdeno Chara (2011-12): One year after captaining the Bruins to its sixth Stanley Cup Championship, Chara turned in an impressive 2011-12 season which saw the defender record career-highs in assists (40) and points (52), as well as be considered for the Hart Memorial Trophy and James Norris Memorial Trophy for the top defensemen. Chara concluded the regular season with eight power-play goals, 10 power-play assists, and 224 shots on goal.

Defense: Torey Krug (2013-14): A nominee for the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year), Krug concluded his team’s 2013-14 campaign with 40 points on 26 assists and 14 goals to go along with 77 blocks, 50 hits, and 24 takeaways. He tallied eight even-strength goals and two game-winning tallies while tallying 183 shots on goal. In 12 postseason contests, Krug produced 10 points on eight assists and two goals while recording 13 blocks, eight hits, and four takeaways.

Goalie: Tim Thomas (2010-11): A winner of both the Conn Smythe Trophy and Vezina Trophy, Thomas backstopped the Bruins to their sixth Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history by yielding 1.98 goals per game in the postseason. He concluded the regular season with a career-best 2.00 goals allowed average and .938 save percentage. He won 35 games – he started 55 contests – and recorded 1,699 saves. He won 16 postseason contests and posted career-highs in shots against (849), saves (798), and save percentage (.940). He also registered four shutouts in the 2011 postseason.

by Matt Noonan

Chara Named Norris Trophy Finalist

By NoontimeSports.com 

The Boston Bruins and NHL announced on Thursday morning that Zdeno Chara is one of three finalist for the 2012 James Norris Trophy.

The Norris Trophy is awarded every year to the player who “demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.”

Excluding Chara, the other two finalists are Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators and Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators.

by Matt Noonan

Daily Noontime – April 17, 2012

Zdeno Chara netted the game-winning goal on Monday, which helped Boston defeat Washington, 4-3! (Photo Credit: ChiTown Nation)

By NoontimeSports.com 

Happy Tuesday to everyone, and welcome into yet another tremendous edition of the Daily Noontime! Let’s jumpstart the day with some news and headlines from the city of… winners!

* The Boston Bruins earned one-game series lead on Monday, as they defeated the Washington Capitals, 4-3. Zdeno Chara netted the game-winning goal late in the third period, while Tim Thomas deflected 29 shots between the pipes.

* Boston will attempt to earn a two-game lead on Thursday when they return to the ice for Game No. 4. The last time the Bruins led a series 2-1 was against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, which Boston won.

* According to reports – Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom received a “match penalty” at the end of Game No. 3 on Monday, which means he’ll most likely miss the fourth game of this particular series. Also, the league will now have to review the play, too.

* Boston and Tampa Bay concluded their four-game series on Monday, and sadly, the Red Sox didn’t record a sweep, as Sean Rodriguez scored the only run of the day for the Rays. Daniel Bard lasted six and two-thirds innings, and managed to fan seven batters. However, Bard’s only mistake was allowing Rodriguez to score after walking Evan Longoria in the seventh inning.

* The Red Sox will look to snap their one-game losing streak on Tuesday when they welcome the Texas Rangers to Fenway Park — first pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm — Jon Lester opposes Colby Lewis.

* The Boston Celtics will look to earn their third consecutive victory on Tuesday when they travel to New York to face the Knicks — tip-off is scheduled for 8:00pm.

* Finally, Wesley Koir and Sharon Cherop won the 116th Boston Marathon on Monday.

by Matt Noonan

Sideline Observations – Boston Bruins 4, Washington Capitals 3

Zdeno Chara's third period goal lifted Boston past Washington, 4-3! (Photo Credit: Zimbio.com)

By Matt Noonan 

For the second time in five days, Boston ended a contest on the winning end, as the Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals, 4-3 at the Verizon Center.

Here are some postgame reactions and thoughts.

How The Game Was Won: With roughly two minutes remaining, and the score tied, 3-3, Boston’s Zdeno Chara whipped a shot from the nearside wing past Washington’s Braden Holtby, (25 saves) which clinched the victory for the Bruins.

Boston’s Fourth Line Sparked The Offense: Let’s give some props to the Bruins fourth line, which tied this particular match in the second period when Daniel Paille wristed a shot past Holtby. That strike rejuvenated the Black and Gold, and helped them register two more tallies before the buzzer sounded.

It All Starts With Defense: With a chance to earn a 2-1 lead in the series, Boston’s top defensive unit – Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg – ramped up their  intensity, and provided some physical blows late in the third period, which helped set up the game-winning goal.

Both players finished the contest with 11 combined hits, and five shots on net.

The Bruins Power Play: Once again, Boston ended another postseason contest with no power play goals. The Bruins are currently 0-for-11 against the Capitals when they have an extra skater, and will attempt to snap their scoreless streak on Thursday, Apr. 19.

Other Notes:

* Washington outshot Boston, 32-29. 

* Washington ended the game with one power play goal, but failed to capitalize on their second, third and fourth chances.

* The last time Boston led a series, 2-1 was against Tampa Bay in 2011 during the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bruins wound up winning that particular series, 4-3, and then defeated the Vancouver Canucks to claim their sixth Stanley Cup championship.