Happy Cam Neely Day!

**weather vane** · 01-12-2004, 06:07 PM

Bruins to honour Cam Neely

Sports Ticker

1/12/2004

BOSTON (Ticker) - The Boston Bruins will honor Cam Neely Monday night as they host the Buffalo Sabres in a Northeast Division contest.

Neely's No. 8 jersey will be raised to the rafters at the FleetCenter, joining Eddie Shore, Lionel Hitchman, Bobby Orr, Aubrey 'Dit' Clapper, Phil Esposito, John Bucyk, Milt Schmidt, Terry O'Reilly and Ray Bourque as the only Bruins to have their numbers retired.

''No one wanted to be near him, he was so big and strong. If you got near him, you knew you were going to get hit,'' said former teammate Glen Murray to the Boston Globe. ''I was there when he scored 50 goals in 44 games (1993-94). He worked his butt off. He was injured and stuff, but when he practiced, there was no question about it. He could score. If he was still playing, he'd have as many goals as Brett Hull.''

Neely began his career in 1983 with Vancouver and spent three seasons there before being dealt to Boston, where he would finish his career. He tallied 395 goals and 299 assists in 726 career games to go along with 1241 penalty minutes. With Boston, he totaled 344 goals and 590 points in 525 games.

He recorded four 40-goal seasons and had found the back of the net a career-high 55 times in 1989-90. Neely, though, was plagued by injuries over his final four seasons and he retired following the 1995-96 campaign due to a chronic hip injury.

''I doubt very much you'll find another guy who'll pot you 50 a year, and fight the toughest guy in the league,'' former teammate Lyndon Byers told the Boston Herald. ''I'm sure every coach on the planet for the rest of eternity is going to be trying to build Cam Neelys. It's a big thrill to see No. 8 hit the rafters. It's cool and great for him. He deserves it.''

After retiring Neely's number, the Bruins hope to extend their winning streak to four games.

Boston improved to 4-0-1 in January and 3-0-1 in its last four home games with Saturday's 2-1 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings. Captain Joe Thornton scored the game-winner 2 1/2 minutes into overtime and rookie goaltender Andrew Raycroft made 27 saves.

Raycroft has won his last three decisions following a personal seven-game (0-5-2) winless stretch. He has stopped 94 of 96 shots during his streak and could start again Monday as Boston tries to move within five points of first-place Toronto.

Buffalo is 5-2-3 in its last 10 following a seven-game losing streak from December 4-19. The Sabres have scored 29 goals during this stretch after managing 11 in their slide.

Buffalo stopped a three-game winless skid with Friday's 3-2 home win over Ottawa. The Sabres scored three power-play goals with defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick netting the game-winner late in the third period.

Monday is the first of six meetings between the teams, who play three times in January.

Boston is unbeaten in its last five home games (4-0-1) with the Sabres.

If there is anybody I miss more than Bourque it has to be Neely. If it wasn't for injuries he would be IMHO one of the best players ever.

01-12-2004, 06:07 PM	#1
weather vane quesque fuck? Posts: 23,552	Happy Cam Neely Day! Bruins to honour Cam Neely Sports Ticker 1/12/2004 BOSTON (Ticker) - The Boston Bruins will honor Cam Neely Monday night as they host the Buffalo Sabres in a Northeast Division contest. Neely's No. 8 jersey will be raised to the rafters at the FleetCenter, joining Eddie Shore, Lionel Hitchman, Bobby Orr, Aubrey 'Dit' Clapper, Phil Esposito, John Bucyk, Milt Schmidt, Terry O'Reilly and Ray Bourque as the only Bruins to have their numbers retired. ''No one wanted to be near him, he was so big and strong. If you got near him, you knew you were going to get hit,'' said former teammate Glen Murray to the Boston Globe. ''I was there when he scored 50 goals in 44 games (1993-94). He worked his butt off. He was injured and stuff, but when he practiced, there was no question about it. He could score. If he was still playing, he'd have as many goals as Brett Hull.'' Neely began his career in 1983 with Vancouver and spent three seasons there before being dealt to Boston, where he would finish his career. He tallied 395 goals and 299 assists in 726 career games to go along with 1241 penalty minutes. With Boston, he totaled 344 goals and 590 points in 525 games. He recorded four 40-goal seasons and had found the back of the net a career-high 55 times in 1989-90. Neely, though, was plagued by injuries over his final four seasons and he retired following the 1995-96 campaign due to a chronic hip injury. ''I doubt very much you'll find another guy who'll pot you 50 a year, and fight the toughest guy in the league,'' former teammate Lyndon Byers told the Boston Herald. ''I'm sure every coach on the planet for the rest of eternity is going to be trying to build Cam Neelys. It's a big thrill to see No. 8 hit the rafters. It's cool and great for him. He deserves it.'' After retiring Neely's number, the Bruins hope to extend their winning streak to four games. Boston improved to 4-0-1 in January and 3-0-1 in its last four home games with Saturday's 2-1 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings. Captain Joe Thornton scored the game-winner 2 1/2 minutes into overtime and rookie goaltender Andrew Raycroft made 27 saves. Raycroft has won his last three decisions following a personal seven-game (0-5-2) winless stretch. He has stopped 94 of 96 shots during his streak and could start again Monday as Boston tries to move within five points of first-place Toronto. Buffalo is 5-2-3 in its last 10 following a seven-game losing streak from December 4-19. The Sabres have scored 29 goals during this stretch after managing 11 in their slide. Buffalo stopped a three-game winless skid with Friday's 3-2 home win over Ottawa. The Sabres scored three power-play goals with defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick netting the game-winner late in the third period. Monday is the first of six meetings between the teams, who play three times in January. Boston is unbeaten in its last five home games (4-0-1) with the Sabres. If there is anybody I miss more than Bourque it has to be Neely. If it wasn't for injuries he would be IMHO one of the best players ever.