When voting for the NHL All-Star Game began on November 12 hockey fans everywhere celebrated the opportunity to have their team’s standouts recognized. In Beantown however, we scanned the ballot in shock; searching for a name that was sure to be a shoe-in but turned out to be incomprehensibly absent. The NHL has reduced the heroic efforts of Bruins goalie Tim Thomas to a write-in and I believe that an All-Star sized injustice has been committed against Thomas and Hub hockey fans everywhere.   This calls for a Boston uproar. Tim Thomas is currently the reigning King of Clutch, boasting a League-best 94.4 save percentage as well as a 1.8 goals against average. Also, his 2 shutouts on the season put him in a tie for second in the League in that category. With 10 Eastern Conference goalies to stock the All-Star ballot with, leaving Thomas off the list isn’t simply a snub, it’s downright baffling. The November 12 game versus the Chicago Blackhawks is exemplary of how deserving our netminder is. Thomas made 31 saves—18 of those coming in the first period—against a team who has scored 21 goals in their last 4 games. The ‘Hawks had a chance to capitalize when they were awarded a penalty shot in overtime but Thomas hardly looked rattled as he shrugged Patrick Sharp’s offering off his left pad. The B’s goalie has responded to the ballot brush-off with a similar cool confidence. Since hearing that his name was omitted Thomas has gone 5-0-1 and has continued to prove why he is a more justified choice than many of his peers. Martin Brodeur and Rick DiPietro are two such goalies who made the cut without merit, as they’ve missed a combined 19 games since being relegated to the injured reserve list. The indignation of Bruins fans is about more than Boston bias; it’s about seeing a great hockey player get the recognition that he deserves. So let’s make Tim Thomas an All-Star. I’ve created this petition to push the cause forward. Thomas is currently in fifth place in voting; not bad for a write-in, but not good enough for the goal guardian of the Eastern Conference’s first place team. The All-Star game rosters will be decided by the fans and this is my rally cry to all Boston puckheads: Show your Black and Gold pride before the polls close on January 2. With your support I see no reason why we can’t get Thomas in the game. ...View More...View Less
Tags:,Boston Bruins,Tim Thomas,All-Star Game