Boston Strong? You Bet!

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Thursday, May 02, 2013

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalWorcester Sports Editor

How good was that?

Boston sports fans have had an awful lot to cheer about for the past dozen years and last night was another memorable, special night for them.

Boston sports teams scored the hat trick as the Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox all won important games.

On the ice, the B’s reminded us that this team is still one of the most talented clubs in the NHL. They systematically dismantled the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 in game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal round series.

The offensively-challenged B’s outshot Toronto 40-20. They were much more physical than the Maple Leafs and their goaltending was superior. In short, they dominated their opponent and looked very much like the team that won the Cup two years ago.

Meanwhile, down in the Big Apple, the trash-talking New York Knicks all showed up to Madison Square Garden for game 5 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with the Celtics dressed in black. The reason for the black attire was because they wanted the world to know that they were dressed for the Celtics’ funeral.

The only problem was that the dead men were very much alive at their own funeral. Kevin “grit and balls” Garnett had 16 points and 18 rebounds. Jeff Green had 18 points including a monster dunk over Carmelo Anthony and Jason Terry poured in 17 off the bench as the veteran Celtics showed the immature Knicks how it’s done.

Now, instead of being dead and buried, the Celtics are very much alive and well heading back to Boston for game 6 at the TD Garden Friday night. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series. Can the Celtics be the first?

No Major League Baseball team had ever rallied from 0-3 down until the 2004 Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. Can Boston have another first?

Speaking of the Sox, Clay Buchholz became baseball’s first 6-game winner as he dominated the Blue Jays in Toronto. Mike Napoli belted two homeruns while Stephen Drew, Daniel Nava and Mike Carp each had one Boston improved its Major League-best record to 19-8 on the season.

The post-marathon slogan in the city has been “Boston Strong.” Wednesday night, Boston’s sports teams were very strong.

What a night!