2019 -- H 6148

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE BOSTON BRUINS FOR WINNING THE NHL EASTERN

CONFERENCE TITLE AND WISHING THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE STANLEY

CUP FINALS AGAINST THE ST. LOUIS BLUES

     Introduced By: Representatives McKiernan, Millea, Mattiello, Amore, and Casey

     Date Introduced: May 23, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Boston Bruins, one of the most successful franchises in NHL history,

compiled yet another sterling season on the ice in the 2018-2019 NHL season, amassing a record

of 49 wins, third most in the NHL, and 107 points, tied for second in the NHL; and

      WHEREAS, The Bruins success was due in part to the stellar leadership and innovative

coaching provided by Head Coach Bruce Cassidy, who is in his third year at the helm after

having successfully coached the Providence Bruins for eight seasons from 2008 to 2016; and

     WHEREAS, The Bruins offense was led all season by the best and most dynamic line in

the NHL. Veteran Brad Marchand, a former First Team All-NHL selection, who scored 36 goals

manning the Left Wing Position, while talented youngster David Pasternak, one of the most

feared snipers in the NHL, led the team with 38 goals at the Right Wing position. In the middle of

this great line, playing Center is guaranteed future Hall-of-Famer Patrice Bergeron, the best

defensive Center in NHL history, who scored 32 goals, consistently shut down the opposition’s

best scorers, helped to kill penalties, and won numerous key face-offs. The Bruins were also

assisted all season by the timely scoring provided by David Krejci and Jake Debrusk; and

     WHEREAS, The Bruins stingy defense gave up only 215 goals, the fourth fewest in the

NHL thanks to the outstanding play provided by young star Charlie McAvoy, an NHL First Team

All-Rookie selection in 2017-2018, as well as Captain and veteran leader Zdeno Chara, a six time

All-Star, and former James Norris Trophy Winner, and the steady contributions of Torey Krug,

Matt Grzelcyk, Connor Clifton and Brandon Carlo. In addition, the Bruins net has been protected

all season by veteran star net-minder Tuukka Rask, a former Vezina Trophy winner; and

     WHEREAS, The Bruins began their Stanley Cup playoff journey when they faced the

Toronto Maple Leafs, a team known for its exciting offense led by their Superstar Centers John

Tavares and Austin Matthews. In a back-and-forth, nail-biting series, the Bruins stormed back

from a 3-2 deficit to win the series 4 games to 3. In the second round, the Bruins faced the

Columbus Blue Jackets, who had just dispatched the Tampa Bay Lightning, the number one seed

in the NHL playoffs. The Blue Jackets entered the series against the Bruins with their fiery Head

Coach John Tortorella, a seemingly unbeatable goaltender in Sergei Bobrovsky, and all the

momentum. Once again the Bruins fell behind in the series, 2 games to 1, but came back to

dispatch the Blue Jackets thanks in large part to the incredible display of goaltending exhibited by

Tuukka Rask. Tuukka continued his magnificent play in the Eastern Conference Finals as the

Bruins dominated the Carolina Hurricanes to sweep the series, 4-0; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby heartily congratulates the Boston Bruins for winning the NHL

Eastern Conference Playoffs. We also wish the Bruins continued success in the NHL Stanley Cup

Finals against the St. Louis Blues; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Bruce Cassidy, Head Coach, Boston

Bruins.

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