Boston Bruins: Asking the Bruins to Please Win the 2011 Stanley Cup

My dearest Boston Bruins,

For 12 long years, I’ve watched you, practically living and dying with your every move. I remember seeing you for the very first time and falling in love with you.

You were so fast, so strong, so exciting to watch. I know the standings said you were only somewhat above average, but to me, you were special.

You were my hometown team.

Our city has so many great memories of you, most of which came before my time. In your youth, you were great. You won six Stanley Cups.

Yeah, sure, you almost always came in second to those overachieving kids from Montreal, but still, you were pretty good.

But let’s be honest: these days, that’s just a memory.

We still hang up the trophies and the banners, but you’re all grown-up now. It’s time you won a championship that I can remember.

It hasn’t been easy for me to watch you stumble for the past decade. Sometimes, it seemed like you didn’t even care.

You would float along, content to finish out the season and watch the playoffs from home. You lacked stability. You moved from one coach to another. You brought in star players and then let them go when they got too expensive.

I thought you and Jason Allison were great together. But you cut it off. And then you did the same with Anson Carter. And then Billy Guerin. And so on.

Other times, you showed flashes of greatness. You’ve been the top seed in the entire Eastern Conference a few times now.

But you lose focus. You’re good enough to go all the way, but you fall short by choking at the worst possible time.

You lost twice to those Canadiens, even though you were better both times. Two years ago, you fell to Carolina. Last year, you had Philly on the ropes and you blew it.

I know I should be used to it by now, but you’re my team, and I always believe the best about you.

And it hurts me every time you let me down.

While you’ve been struggling, I’ve watched your big brothers all win championships. The Patriots were always the little, lovable losers, but their acne finally cleared up and they became a dynasty.

The Red Sox finally got over their hump and became the champions we all knew they could be. And the Celtics shook off their rust and got back to their glory days.

To watch them all win trophies has made my heart swell up with pride. But how can I truly be happy as long as you are left behind?

I know it’s not easy, being part of this Boston sports family. I know you live in the shadow of your brothers. I know you face constant pressure, and I’m probably not helping things.

But that’s part of being who you are. You’ll always be in the spotlight, so make the best of it.

You have another real chance to do something this season. You’re a division winner. Philly is struggling. Washington and Pittsburgh are hurt. You’re good enough to win the conference.

Vancouver, Detroit or San Jose in the finals will be really tough, but I know you can do it.

Above all, remember that you’ll always be part of this family, and I’ll always love you. No matter how badly you get beaten, I’ll always be there to watch and support you. I might complain, but only because I care.

So please, for the love of God, make us all proud. Bring the Stanley Cup back to Boston.

Love,

Boston fan