Boston Bruins’ Tyler Seguin’s status unknown in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals against Vancouver Canucks
Boston Bruins’ has a tough decision to make as they enter the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Finals, all set to begin on Wednesday, June 1st, against Vancouver Canucks at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. There is
a dilemma for Bruins’ coach with Patrice Bergeron back from injury and Tyler Seguin in his top form, as to who should start in the first game.
Tyler Seguin has been a miraculous player for Bruins during the Eastern Conference Finals against Tampa Bay Lightning after its centre, Patrice Bergeron, was sent out with an injury in the previous series.
Boston’s coach, Claude Julien, decided to play the 19-year-old and it turned out to be a good decision in light of Seguin’s brilliance that guided Boston to the finals.
"It's hard sitting there and not being able to help the boys", Seguin said about not being able to contribute.
In Game 1 against Lightning, Seguin scored his first goal in his first playoff game after sitting out during the whole postseason.
The backup centre came out even stronger in Game 2 as he picked up four points with two goals and two assists and ultimately led his team to a surprising victory to level the series.
Seguin was back on the bench after that since Bergeron returned, but his presence in the arena was always missed which is why his involvement in the finals against Vancouver is a question on every ice hockey fan’s mind.
"I think he's grown a lot from the end of the regular season to that first game he played in the playoffs. And whatever the reasons are, we tried to handle it the best we could and him being around the team and warm-ups and then when he got his chance I
think he took advantage of it", said Julien, who led his team to its first Stanley Cup contention in over 20 years. "But I see a more confident Tyler in the playoffs. As he also mentioned, he's going to areas where before he was going there but probably not
going in there with lots of confidence”.
Almost a year ago, Seguin was worried about being picked in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, but now he is on a whole new level.
Contributing in the team with such little, virtually no experience is definitely a first in the history of ice hockey.
Playing against a team like Tampa Bay and amongst some of the best and most experienced players in the league is always intimidating, especially for a 19-year-old rookie.
There is no doubt that Seguin was blessed with an impossible opportunity caused by Bergeron’s concussion related problems, but instead of wasting it and blaming the result on his inexperience, he took full advantage and showed the world what he was capable
of.
Seguin playing against Vancouver in the finals just might be the spark that Boston has been waiting for, with his youth and ability to handle the puck like a pro.
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