Season finale.

The best [hockey] part of Sunday afternoon was getting to watch the Philadelphia Flyers play the Buffalo Sabres -- and win. It was the first game in forever where I got to see Mike Knuble play, cage and all. In addition to a nice chunk of ice time, he scored the tying goal, assisted on the game winner, and had an earlier assist as well.

Two teams done 'til October. Sigh . . .

Why Jay Atkinson is cooler than cool, #37.

Jay Atkinson, author of Caveman Politics, Ice Time, and Legends of Winter Hill, all happily on my bookshelf, was featured at the Boston Globe this week. Actually, he was not featured, but rather his effort to diversify hockey was. I met him years ago when he did a reading at Salem State College. He is one of my everyday life heroes.

Fin.

Another team, another time, and I'd be happy that Ray Emery had won another game.

Alas, this was the Bruins. And not an entirely unfitting end to the season, given the ups and downs, and slow starts, and fast starts followed by beatings of the year.

But the best part of the last game of the year is when the Bs players skate over and give away their shirts. Especially seeing people -- little kids or not -- who are so excited to get a certain player's sweater. Never mind that they cut off the post-game coverage without warning. Who wouldn't want his head rubbed by Glen Murray? Or to stand next to Zdeno Chara for a picture and have him tower over you? So let's just leave tonight on that pleasant thought, shall we?!

Is it too much to ask?

Just to win the last game at home? I know, Ottawa is playing for home ice advantage, but they could make the sacrifice . . .

Daniel Alfredsson scored on a 5-on-3, and Patrick Eaves just scored. The Senators are up 6-3 with 10 minutes left.

Maybe next year the Bruins will remember that my mum likes going to playoff games for her birthday . . .

Ha, ha.

I should note: local folks who can't watch the game on TV on CN8 right now can watch it online (through CN8) on a nice 3x2 inch box, only a few seconds behind the TV broadcast.

Petr Tenkrat scored; it's 4-3 Sens.

It's a tradition.

Yeah, I figured I ought to post at least for the last Boston Bruins game of the season, since at this rate I'll end up with more playoff posts than regular season . . .

First, I'd like to thank the Red Sox for once again interfering with late season coverage of a Bruins game. I know, I'm lucky that I've even getting to watch the game on CN8 since apparently that's not allowed in some markets, and those poor Bruins fans can only watch the repeat on NESN some time tonight after the Red Sox game and SportsDesk. But Daisuke Matsuzaka -- who I like, and whose name I won't bastardize in typical American fashion -- isn't even pitching this game, and the Sox started an hour after the Bs' game. Why can't the flippin' Sox be on the "alternate channel?"

Yeah, I know: Why do I even both to get upset any more?

Since the game isn't on NESN, there wasn't really a pre-game show, which means instead of seeing all the awards live, we get clips disbursed throughout the evening. (I watched the last "Rubber Biscuit" of the year during the pre-game time slot.) The Bruins went up early with a goal by Marco Sturm, but Mike Comrie score two minutes later. Petr Kalus put Boston up 2-1, but Jason Spezza scored a moment later. Tied at 2 to end the first.

Second period: Dany Heatley scored his 50th of the year, and Spezza scored his second of the game. Bruins down by two at the end of the period.

Third period: Coming up . . .