Thursday night's game against the Winnipeg Jets was thrilling for Bruins fans, with the team pulling out a 3-2 victory and improving their record to an impressive 26-4-2. The Jets got off to a strong start, with Mark Scheifele scoring just 1:58 into the first period and Jansen Harkins adding another goal at 7:20. But the Bruins fought back with determination, with David Pastrnak scoring midway through the second period and Jake DeBrusk tying the game on the powerplay just 2:52 later. Then, in the third period, Nick Foligno broke the tie with a beautiful goal off a feed from Charlie Coyle.
The Bruins also had strong performances from their top players, including Pastrnak and DeBrusk, who scored goals in the game. Pastrnak's goal was his team-leading 22nd of the season after he admitted that the team needed to be more focused at the beginning of the game. "That's a heck of a team we beat," Pastrnak said after the game.
The Bruins also received a strong performance from goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who stopped 25 shots. Swayman has been a critical player for the Bruins this season, and his performance on Thursday was just one example of his talent and dedication to the team.
However, the game was with off-ice drama as well. Controversial prospect Mitchell Miller, who admitted to bullying and racially taunting a developmentally disabled classmate in junior high, is reportedly still under contract with the Bruins and still on the team's payroll. This news is disturbing, as while the Bruins are responsible for putting a competitive team on the ice, they are also accountable for being good role models and upholding specific values and standards. Allowing a player with such a troubling history to be still be associated with the team is a a betrayal to Bruins fans values and standards, and it's a slap in the face to all of the dedicated and respectful players who have worn the Spoked-B with pride.
I urge the Bruins to do the right thing and terminate Miller's contract immediately. Even if he is not actively playing, his presence on the team is a disgrace and an embarrassment to the entire organization. It's time for the team to take a stand and show that they will not tolerate this kind of behavior.
In addition to the off-ice drama, Thursday night's game was also memorable as the Bruins honored the memory of Don McKenney, who passed away on Sunday at 88. McKenney spent nine seasons with the team, serving as captain in his final two seasons and leading or tying for the team's scoring four times. It was a fitting tribute to a player who significantly impacted the Bruins franchise.
Overall, it was a memorable night for the Bruins and their fans. Unfortunately, the team's impressive on-ice performance was overshadowed by the off-ice drama surrounding Mitchell Miller, but the team must take action to address this situation. Here's hoping for a resolution to this situation and many more victories like the one on Thursday night.
