Two U's, Two K's, Two Points: The End of an Era - A Fan's Tribute to Tuukka
With news coming out of Tuukka Rask's expected retirement, the long-standing goalie for the Boston Bruins leaves behind a legacy and a gap that will be difficult to fill.
The 6'3» 34-year-old from Finland left behind an indelible mark on the team that dominated the league as «The Big Bad Bruins» for most of the 2010's.
The 2005 21st overall pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who would never see him in that jersey save for draft day, was traded to the Bruins for Andrew Raycroft. In what is possibly the most lopsided goalie trade in NHL history, Raycroft would fizzle into obscurity while Tuukka Rask would become the mainstay goalie for the Bruins for almost a decade. It would have been Heresy to have it any other way.
Rask embodied the spirit of the Bruins and shared traits with the team he supported and defended. Mostly a stoic man, him and Bergeron had that in common, quiet and with resolve. Leading the team through example. And letting his work stand over his words, as clear as day from any attempted interview.
He was tough and hard hitting, not unlike his long-time captain in Zdeno Chara. From giving Cory Conacher the business, almost ruining Jimmy Howard's face in the fight that should've been, to giving Hathaway the butt end of his blocker just last year. Rask was no stranger to standing up for himself.
He also had an ability to lose his cool, not unlike a certain player facing the DOPS this week Milk crates and hockey will forever be tied together due to his intense anger that time he mangled a few after a bad night.
But most of all, his 15 years with the Boston Bruins will be remembered by his incredible career .921 save percentage and his .546 career win percentage. After Tim Thomas stepped down, there was no confusion about who would take on the mantle.
The 2013-14 Vezina Trophy winner also made some legendary playoff runs and although the Stanley Cup winner was the backup for the winning 2010-11 team, he still carried his weight with 23 games played and a stellar .929% that year.
Let us not forget the two deep Cup runs he made as the starter with the B's during his tenure. With an insane .940% over 22 games in 2012-13 and the more recent .934% run which came down to the final game against St. Louis. If you saw that last game, you know he did his part and deserved that ring.
Tuukka Rask was as solid an option as a team could ask for, and then some. He was a character, he was an icon, and he will be sorely missed. Two U's, two K's and two points was a slogan built from the faith that his fan base had for him.
Always and forever, he will be remembered. Some days you can still hear the arena after a massive save that turned the game
"Tuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"
He truly represented what it means to be a Bruin. A full blown bad ass with the numbers and performance to back it up.
