The Bruins are back – along with their faithful
My favorite holiday card of the season came courtesy of a wonderful family in Hingham, Mass., that I have known for years. The Husseys were in the hockey spirit, even though there was still no end in sight regarding the lockout. There they were, all decked out in their Bruins jerseys, Santa caps, and huge smiles. The caption read:
‘The NHL (National Hussey League) is not “locked out” for Christmas!
I chuckled to myself and thought, ‘I have to text this to my pal and NHL Network host Kathryn Tappen.’ I propped up the card to take a photo when I noticed there was another picture on the back of the card. It was the Husseys’ golden retriever Libby. That caption read: “Hoping the season doesn’t go to the dogs!”
For three long months, the Bruins faithful mourned the loss of hockey. Broadcasters like Kat longed to get back behind the anchor desk. Bar and restaurant owners near the Boston Garden were losing money. Players left for Europe. The Winter Classic was canceled and so was the All Star Game. It wasn’t looking good.
Through it all there were people like the Hussey family who continued to “Believe.”
With the clock ticking down to the hard deadline of Jan. 12, the League and its players finally shook hands. The true “B”-elievers will be rewarded on Saturday when hockey returns to the Garden.
The word “believe” seems to pop up whenever our Boston teams are on their way to making history. We believed in the Red Sox in 2004 and we believed in the Celtics in 2008. We didn’t really believe in the Patriots during the 2001 season, but they surprised us all by winning an improbable game in the snow, and then the Super Bowl. Of course, we continue to believe in the Patriots for as long as they have the “B” brothers- Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
In the spring of 2011, Linda Waters of Franklin, Mass., was approached by the Bruins with an idea. Linda owned a jewelry business called “Confidence Beads.” After the Bruins won the Cup, she created a special bead in black and gold, called it “Believe” and added it to her line of bracelets and necklaces. Linda talked to the Boston Bruins Foundation about making this part of their fundraising efforts for charity. To date, the bead has raised over $10,000 for the charities the Bruins support. My personal favorite item is a bracelet made with a hockey skate lace.
To celebrate the start of the season, Linda is joining She’s Game Sports in a bead giveaway. Enter to win this awesome bracelet by registering on our website and “liking” us on Facebook. We will pick the winner by Jan. 26 and post it on our website and Facebook page.
“I love this group,” Linda told me. “The Bruins Foundation does wonderful things for the community and it’s very rewarding to be able to contribute with the beads.”
The Bruins “believe” bead is on the Bruins Foundation’s website, on www.confidencebeads.com, and www.beadsforacause.com.
So it’s time to get your Game Face on- all you Bruin’s fans. “Believe” that Tyler Seguin is a rising star. Believe that Tuukka Rask is ready to make this his team. Believe that Milan Lucic is ready to slam the opponent into the boards. Believe that Shawn Thornton can still throw a right hook. Believe that Rene Rancourt is going to belt out the best anthem ever on Saturday afternoon.
Drop the puck. The “B’s” are back. Believe it.
Tracy Hussey wearing “Believe” sports necklace.
