TORONTO — Good ... well, it's actually a bit of a somber morning.
Word spread last night during the Bruins-Maple Leafs game that Gil Santos, the voice of the Patriots for so many years through the 2012 season and a member of the team's hall of fame, passed away on his 80th birthday and his 57th wedding anniversary to his wife, Roberta.
Chris Price will have more on this in the morning. I didn't know Gil well but he was obviously the soundtrack of so many autumns in New England. That voice ... not many were as distinctive as Gil's. I'm sure many people tossed footballs in their backyard or at a Foxborough tailgate with Gil booming in the background. He will obviously be missed by many.
In other news...
- The Bruins gutted out a tough victory on the road without Patrice Bergeron to all but seal a date with the Lightning in the next round.
- The B's were pretty clunky after Torey Krug's goal until there were about seven minutes left in the second period. Then Adam McQuaid sprung David Pastrnak, who made a sweet no-look pass to Brad Marchand for an easy goal. And then the Bruins did all the little things (like blocking 27 shots, including one off of Tommy Wingel's cup) to finish off the Leafs.
- Anyone see Auston Matthews? His coach was looking for him. William Nylander, too.
- Tuukka Rask was money again. If he was average, the Bruins lose that game.
- The Red Sox beat the Angels 8-2 to complete a three-game sweep in Anaheim. The Sox are now 16-2. That's amazing.
- Celtics visit Milwaukee tonight in Game 3. Let's see if the Bucks, and Eric Bledsoe, show up for this one.
- First visit to the Air Canada Centre for me. I miss Maple Leaf Gardens. Total corporate crowd now. Fairly lame. It's like attending an NBA game.
- That being said, this anthem was worth the price of admission.
8 p.m.:
8 p.m.: NHL playoffs — Game 5: Maple Leafs at Bruins, NBC (McDonald, Bedard)
6 p.m.:
8:30 p.m.
Here’s Gil’s final sign off after the Patriots lost to the Ravens in the 2012 AFC Championship Game @J_Deer pic.twitter.com/7sJezIGPwI
— Jim Louth (@JimLouth) April 20, 2018
@GregABedard My Mom says the BSJ subscription I gave my Dad is the best gift I’ve ever given him. He’s totally obsessed & talks you guys up to all friend & fam. Thanks for making me look good.
— Mandy Johnson Gilman (@MandyGilman) January 23, 2018