Invasion of the Pink Hats

2011 Championship Banner

Thousands of flashes reflected off the surface of the ice. The black and gold championship banner hung low from the rafters in the middle of the rink. The bleachers smelled of $8.50-a-cup beer and expensive cologne. Zdeno Chara skated onto the ice while hoisting the sacred Stanley Cup and passed it to Patrice Bergeron, who passed it to (the now retired) Mark Recchi, who passed it to part-time assistant captain Andrew Ference; and so on. Each player kissed the gleaming cup as if it were the first time he received it in his arms -- an emotional moment and a cause for celebration.

But the fans were quiet.

There was the occasional uproar after every mention of "champion" during the pre-game ceremony speeches, but other than that only murmurs sounded from the sell-out crowd at TD Garden. Opening Night 2011: the invasion of the pink hats.

No longer are they congregated in the stands at just Fenway and Gillette; they have swarmed to the golden seats of the Garden. When the crowd is louder during the noise meter measurements on the jumbo-tron than after a power play killing by the Bruins, there is something wrong.

During the initial part of the ceremony, the energy from the fans -- who made it to their seats on time -- seemed to predict a raucous night ahead. Instead, the Garden remained quiet after the banner took it's rightful place in the rafters. (For a not-so-professional video clip of the raising, click below.)

When tickets sell for well over $200, one would think many die-hards would splurge to be in attendance to reap the benefits of glory. This season opener, however, proved that the Boston Bruins have become just another fashion statement, replacing the likes of the (continually frustrating) Red Sox. The games are no longer about hockey; they are about social status. The perception is that everyone who is anyone will be there.

Before the emotional raising of the banner, a glance around section 325 showed evidence of the causes of the low energy -- from men dressed in business suits who left in the second intermission to girls wearing club attire who flirted with each and every male around them instead of watching hockey. They don't even need to wear pink hats; they might as well write "I'm going to ruin your night" on their foreheads.

Not that the Bruins gave the fans anything to cheer about post-ceremony anyway. The Philadelphia Flyers won the opening game 2-1 after a lackluster offensive performance by the defending champions. Through two periods, the black and gold spent the majority of time in their own zone without showing any of the physical game that fans were used to seeing from the Big Bad Bruins last season. The Flyers scored their only goals in the first period, but that proved enough to earn them the win.

Brad Marchand scored the only goal for the Bruins in the first period on an assist by Tyler Seguin. If this game foreshadowed things to come, then expect much more out of the youngsters this season. Their energy may prove enough to carry this team to another playoff berth.

Until then, beware the pink hats. The Bruins will remain fashionable in Boston, so expect the non-stop cell phone users and the I-need-to-update-my-status-on-Facebook-every-five-minutes socialites to annoy you during the game. It may be more enjoyable -- and more affordable -- to watch the game from the comfort of your own couch.

Stanley Cup