A rival can be defined in many ways. It can be a divisional foe that you battle through the regular season and over the years. It can be an opponent from a heated playoff battle. It can be a team against whom you seek vengeance for an on-ice incident.
But no matter the circumstances, matchups with a rival generate heightened excitement and emotion. The Boston Bruins have had many rivals throughout their 86-year-old history, but who most gets the blood boiling these days? We will argue for three organizations, then let you have the last word.
Last edited by MiamiScreamingEagles: 02-09-2011 at 04:39 PM.
Certainly a rivalry intensified by the uncommonness of last year's PO series. The two were archrivals in the 1970s and into the early 1980s but the decrease in avidity was a result of 32 years without meeting in the post-season. There have been samplings of antipathy distributed over time but nothing prolonged as comparison to Montreal-Boston or Flyers-Rangers/Devils/Penguins.
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*** AFLEET ALEX (Belmont 2005) ***
Afleet Alex is lingering in the back of the pack.
Jeremy Rose has yet to make a move on him and he's running unstrongly.
Giacomo is the leader.
Afleet Alex just ran right by Giacomo like he was standing still.
Afleet Alex is opening up with a tremendous burst of energy. He's five lengths in the lead.
A compelling outstanding performance by the plucky Afleet Alex. He won by six or seven lengths.
I know a fair amount of Boston fans, and let me tell you they hate the Flyers. Especially when I continuously bring up last years playoff results ;p
i have found the opposite to be true,
with that being said, i see the bruins as a respectable foe. unlike the pens and canadiens, where the hate is unconditional, i dont mind the bruins as a team. but if they stand between the flyers and the cup, **** em.
The Winter Classic could also be fodder... and would be even more so had we beat them... I find it more of a friendly rivalry over the years, but edged a little nasty after the Jones hit and the awful way the last PO series turned out for them. IMO the rivalry is more against the Flyers than the other way around.
I personally have always liked and respected the Bruins and their fans... and have no real ill feelings towards them.
For sure...I was in a bar in Boston for game 7 of the POs last year and lets just say I wasn't comfortable showing any sort of enthusiasm for the Flyers.
Speaking of which - on VS last night during the Bruins-Herbs game, the announcers were saying during that same game a bloodied Flyers fan was being taken by way of ambulance from the arena while Bruins fans cheered and booed him...good stuff right there.
In other rivalries, I have been to my share of Devils games, sitting in Flyers sections - even tailgated with the Flyers fans, who scared of the incoming Devils fans, especialyl those wearing Stevens jerseys.
Speaking of which - on VS last night during the Bruins-Herbs game, the announcers were saying during that same game a bloodied Flyers fan was being taken by way of ambulance from the arena while Bruins fans cheered and booed him...good stuff right there.
Whattt NAHHHH! Never happened! Everyone knows only Philly fans would do something that low!
Feels like a rivalry to me; they are imo the biggest obstacle to a scf appearance.
Even over here, I have a good buddy whose family came from Boston and they are die hards. We talk hockey at every party and give each other a bunch of ****.
Feels like a rivalry to me; they are imo the biggest obstacle to a scf appearance.
Even over here, I have a good buddy whose family came from Boston and they are die hards. We talk hockey at every party and give each other a bunch of ****.
Call me crazy, but the biggest hurdle the Flyers have to face is beating the Penguins in the playoffs. Boston comes next.
I don't think the Flyers have any more a rivarly with the Bruins than with any other team, though I see potential for one. Only having met them once in the playoffs in more than 25 years will do that.
Call me crazy, but the biggest hurdle the Flyers have to face is beating the Penguins in the playoffs. Boston comes next.
About a month or so ago, I had a dream (or a nightmare) that the SCF was between the Bruins and Blackhawks. Suffice to say, I doubt that will be the scenario, but I think Boston is going to be tough in the playoffs HOWEVER, i do feel that Thomas is going to drop down to earth in the near future, and if that does happen (saw glimpses of it against Montreal - high glove side)...then I think we SHOULD be the favorite for the east, however some fluky play here and there could have us go otherwise. But, Tampa is playing with the superhuman Roloson, I am beyond certain that will not last, so I dont think they are going to go as far as people are thinking.
I really don't think the Flyers/fans view Boston as a rival. The series last year was a great comeback win, and the games this year have been intense but there are far more bitter wars ongoing...namely against Pittsburgh.
If we meet Boston this year, I expect things to intensify. Especially if they were to beat us (which is possible, but god forbid if it happens). I think another playoff meeting will be what ratchets it up to a true rivalry, but right now it's one-sided.
About a month or so ago, I had a dream (or a nightmare) that the SCF was between the Bruins and Blackhawks. Suffice to say, I doubt that will be the scenario, but I think Boston is going to be tough in the playoffs HOWEVER, i do feel that Thomas is going to drop down to earth in the near future, and if that does happen (saw glimpses of it against Montreal - high glove side)...then I think we SHOULD be the favorite for the east, however some fluky play here and there could have us go otherwise. But, Tampa is playing with the superhuman Roloson, I am beyond certain that will not last, so I dont think they are going to go as far as people are thinking.
Then there's also this Rask guy who's pretty good at goaltending too.
