The Boston Bruins won their sixth Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history in dramatic fashion, defeating the Vancouver Canucks in seven games. Boston went on an amazing playoff run, winning three Game 7's on their way to claiming Lord Stanley's Cup.
Tim Thomas
No one had a better year than Tim Thomas, setting a NHL regular season record for save percentage, and then one-upping that in the playoffs. Thomas won both the Vezina and Conn Smythe Trophies, leading the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Championship.
The Rise of Brad Marchand
Bruins forward Brad Marchand worked his way from the fourth line all the way up to the second line during the 2011 season. He scored 20 regular season goals, and then set a Boston rookie record with 11 in the playoffs. He scored two goals in Boston's 4-0 Game 7 Stanley Cup clincher in Vancouver.
Bruins Victory Parade
It wouldn't be a championship without a parade through the streets of Boston. An estimated one million fans turned out for the Bruins rolling rally.
Ray Allen Becomes 3-Point King
Patriots Go 14-2
The Patriots finished the 2010-11 regular season at 14-2, tops in the AFC. That was in large part to Tom Brady's MVP campaign, when he threw just four interceptions.
Pats Fall To Jets In Playoffs
The Patriots Super Bowl run stalled before it got started, as New England fell to the Jets 28-21 at Gillette Stadium.
Ellsbury Bounces Back
Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury bounced back in 2011, putting up MVP-like numbers at the plate. He set career highs with a .321 batting average, 32 homers, 105 RBI, 119 runs scored, 212 hits and 46 doubles.
Gonzalez' First Season In Boston
New Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez had a stellar first season in Boston, mashing 27 home runs and driving in 117 runs. He hit a career high .338, including .347 at Fenway Park. He suffered a second-half power slump, but should be just fine during his lengthy contract with the Sox.
Aceves Does Everything
Sox pitcher Alfredo Aceves did whatever the team asked him to do, whether it be start or come out of the bullpen. In 55 games, Aceves went 10-2 for the Sox with a 2.61 ERA. He is likely heading to the Boston starting rotation because of his 2011 season.
Red Sox Collapse
The Red Sox looked primed to make a World Series run, until September rolled around. Boston went just 7-20 in the season's final month, losing their division lead to the Yankees and then their Wild Card lead to the Tampa Bay Rays on the final day of the season. It was the worst collapse in Major League history.
Out Goes Theo and Tito....
After the September collapse, manager Terry Francona "stepped down" from his position and Theo Epstein left town for the Chicago Cubs.
... In Comes Bobby and Ben
With Epstein and Francona gone, the Red Sox chose Ben Cherington as their next GM and Bobby Valentine as their new manager.
Mutai Sets Boston Record
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya won the 115th Boston Marathon, setting a Boston record with a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes and 2 seconds.
Keegan Bradley Wins PGA Championship
Hopkington High graduate Keegan Bradley won the 2011 PGA Championship, becoming just the third player to win a major in his first attempt.
Cannons Wins MLL Championship
The Boston Bruins weren't the only local champions in 2011. The Boston Cannons captured the Major League Lacrosse championship with a 10-9 finals win over the Hamilton Nationals.
Kendrick Perkins Traded
At the NBA Trade deadline, Celtics president Danny Ainge sent Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. The trade sent shockwaves through the Celtics locker room, with players feeling like they lost a brother. Boston lost their defensive center and were never the same after the trade.
Rondo Plays With One Arm
The Celtics may have lost the series, but Rajon Rondo got some major brownie points for playing the second half of the Celtics series against the Miami Heat with just one arm. Rondo dislocated his elbow in Game 3, but helped the Celtics to their lone series win with seven assists.
Celtics Fall To Heat
After handling the New York Knicks in the first round, but fell to Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat in the second round in five games.
Kraft Helps End NFL Lockout
Robert Kraft was a major player in ending the NFL lockout, despite losing his wife Myra during the negotiation process. In one of the more touching moments, he is embraced by Colts center Jeff Saturday, during the announcement that the lockout has ended.
Tyler Seguin Breaks Out
Bruins phenom Tyler Seguin began to break out late in the team's Stanley Cup run, scoring three goals and four assists in 13 games, but has really emerged to start the 2011-12 season. Seguin has 14 goals and 17 assists in the team's first 33 games, and among the league leaders in +/-.
Andre Carter
In one of the best moves of the off-season, the Patriots brought on defensive lineman Andre Carter. Carter thrived in the New England defense, registering 10 sacks before going down in Week 15 with a knee injury. Carter brought leadership to the team both on the field and in the locker room.
Kraft Honored By Patriots
As a show of their appreciation, the Patriots players and coaches presented Kraft with a painting in honor of his wife Myra after their Week 16 win over the Miami Dolphins. The team dedicated the 2011 season in honor of Myra Kraft, and have worn "MHK" patches on their uniforms.
Papelbon Skips Town
After a stellar 2011 season with Boston, minus the final day, Jonathan Papelbon left town for a four-year, $50 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Red Sox have since filled his shoes by acquiring A's closer Andrew Bailey.
Gronk Goes Wild
Patriots fans expected big things out of tight end Rob Gronkowski after a great rookie season, and 2011 has been anything but amazing for the second-year tight end. He set a new NFL record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end, and his famous spike has made "Gronking" a household act.
