Seidenberg/By S. Bradley
VANCOUVER — There are a lot of ridiculous statements made on the ice after the Stanley Cup is won.
But Dennis Seidenberg might’ve taken the cake.
“To be honest, I feel fresh,” said Seidenberg after he logged 28:51 of ice time in the Bruins’ Game 7 victory tonight and finished the postseason averaging 27:37 per game. “I don’t feel that tired. It’s weird to say but I actually feel really good. I was surprised all playoffs how I feel.”
In the words of head coach Claude Julien, Seidenberg was “a horse” throughout the entire playoffs. That continued during the Bruins’ 4-0 Cup-winning triumph at Rogers Arena. He chipped in with two assists and once again combined with Zdeno Chara to limit Henrik and Daniel Sedin to no points and just five shots on net.
For the series, the Sedin brothers combined for just five points, including just one goal from Henrik.
Now Seidenberg will become the second German, after Uwe Krupp, to have his name etched on the Cup. And he might even get some love from countryman and NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki.
“He doesn’t even know who I am,” cracked Seidenberg, who watch Nowitzki’s video tribute to Vancouver defenseman Christian Ehrhoff during Game 1.
“It’s definitely special to be the second German ever to win the Cup. It’s crazy and it’s hard to describe,” he continued.
In the summer of 2009, Seidenberg was a free agent that didn’t sign anywhere until training camp opened. Now he’s the No. 2 defenseman on the Stanley Cup champions.
“I always knew that I can play,” he said. “I knew I was able to play in this league and contribute big time. And you just need the right circumstance. You just need a coach that believes in you, a guy that puts you on the ice regularly. That helps you a lot.”
This could hardly have been a better deal for us. He was even better than Chara at times it seemed. Maybe that’s also something to do with Chara, but Sidenberg was everything we needed, and really picked up the slack that Kaberle ended up leaving out. Let’s hope everything still feels good for him next season!
Seidenberg was the unsung hero of this playoff run – our most consistent D-man.
Please remember we got him in a trade for, basically, Byron Bitz and a 2nd rounder. Now, I like Bitz (Bitz happens!) and all, but in retrospect that’s a steal…like Dennis Johnson for Rick Roby.
would not have lost to philly last year had he not sliced his arm open.
Germanyyyyy
its just incredible how this guy has transformed into such a solid blueliner. Great Trade again by chiarelli.
A true Hockey player’s player! Tough, resilient, solid, skilled and humble. Way to go!
Seidenberg was another guy you have to be really happy for. I remember last year when the Bs picked him up, he talked about just wanting to stay with one team, he’d been traded around so much. Well, he got his wish and now was huge in getting the Cup. Turns out he was yet another guy who is best when it matters most.
@Nicklaus. I’m a Canadian B’s fan and I know there are plenty of people in Vancouver that are as respectful and classy as yourself. Thanks for a thoughtful post. Maybe we can do this next year.
Thanks Matt and everyone that contributed to Bruins Blog. I’m glad I stumbled on this site.It made this spring even more enjoyable if that’s possible.
I still can’t believe that our team is Stanley Cup Champions. I’m in a fog this morning. I didn’t want it to end but I know it must. What a great year to be a supporter of such a devoted team.
First off, I’m a Vancouver fan:
To the Boston Bruins; Congratulations on a well fought and deserved Stanley Cup. You have the best goalie in the world and he was absolutely amazing in this series. His play allowed your offense to take all the risk needed to confidently execute…& execute you did.
To the Vancouver Canucks, be proud of your efforts! You had an amazing regular season. You finally moved past Chicago, the defending Stanley Cup Champions, you were victorious over a very good Nashville team and a very skilled, physical and large San Jose team. After that series, we knew you were pretty beaten up, but you did not use that as an excuse. Go get it next year!
As for the hooligans who are rioting in Vancouver. You are the minority and the ones who probably protested the Olympics. True Vancouver fans win and loose gracefully as seen in Rogers Arena, when they applauded Boston and thanked their team. Way to go Bruins for a great series! Thanks Vancouver for the run!
Congratulations, Bruins and their fans.
When I was eight, I was at the game that Tony Conigliaro got beaned in. I’ve always been a Sox fan.
For whatever reason, growing up in eastern Connecticut, my family never had a thing for the Bruins, or hockey for that matter.
But I moved to Vancouver ten years ago, got hockey’s intensity, courage, skill and beauty, and have become as big a fan of the Nucks as I am of the Sox.
I follow both closely, and though wish it happened differently, was glad to see that at the end, both teams shook hands. Such a cool thing about hockey.
See you next year!
Matt, Great B’s blog…I’ve followed Mick(you know whom I’m referencing) for 15 years but never posted a comment on his or any other site (until this season). My comment yesterday about Gillis and the ‘Nucks team being a “humbug” and lacking class, unfortunately, proved out tonight. Read Cam Cole’s, (a respected hockey writer) article in the Vancouver Sun and the response Francesco Aquillini (‘Nucks owner) gave to reporters with a female reporter from the CBC present.
BEAST
Was he hurt? He seem to have a tough time lifting the cup and said something
Unsung. This guy was huge, yet is still an unknown to the “pink hats”. Those who know bow to his play though. So solid in his own end & on his skates.