It’s not easy being a Boston sports fan. We’re now used to being winners and expect nothing less. So when we lose, it hurts. And not just sadness you get over the next day. It’s a grief that stays with you for a while. The heartbreak that takes you through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. Sometimes we never make it to the acceptance stage, and it looks like that may be the case for last night’s Boston Bruin loss.
The Bruins entered the Stanley Cup playoffs with a record-setting season. It was the most successful regular season in NHL history, setting a single-season record for wins, and shattering the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens’ 132 points.
Well, all good things must come to an end, as last nigh, the Bruins were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round. They lost to the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime in Game 7. Keep in mind, the B’s were up 3-1 in the series, which only makes the loss that much more painful.
So let’s debate, what are the worst Boston sports chokes this century. Here are our pick, in no particular order.
Patriots vs Giants 2008 Super bowl
Patriots 2008
An undefeated, record setting offensive team blows the game on basically one crazy play in the 4th quarter. David F’n Tyree…
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 03: David Tyree #85 of the New York Giants catches a 32-yard pass from Eli Manning #10 against Rodney Harrison #37 and James Sanders #36 of the New England Patriots attempts to knock it out in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants won 17-14.
Red Sox vs. Yankees 2003 ALCS
Red Sox vs Yankees 2003
The Sox are about to close out the Yankees and make it to the World Series. But Grady Little decided to leave a tired Pedro Martinez in the game because… I’m still not sure why. Aaron F’n Boone….
BRONX, NY – OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Pedro Martinez #45 of the Boston Red Sox hangs his head after giving up a solo home run to Jason Giambi #25 of the New York Yankees in the seventh inning during game 7 of the American League Championship Series on October 16, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.
Celtics vs. Lakers 2010
Celtics/Lakers 2010
The Celtics were up 3-2 in the series against the Lakers, got destroyed in Game 6 and blew a 4th quarter lead in Game 7. And against the Lakers, it just hurts that much more….
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second period while taking on the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
Patriots vs. Colts Super Bowl 2006
Patriots vs Colts 2006 AFC Championship:
Up until this point, the Patriots OWNED the Colts in the playoffs. And despite the fact that you can’t guarantee anything, let’s be honest, if the Pats won they would have 1,000,000% defeated the Bears in the Super Bowl. But what we got was a 21-3 blown lead and Peyton Manning finally getting his first, of few, big wins over Tom Brady….
New England Patriots’ Tom Brady, right, shakes hands with Indianapolis Colts’ Peyton Manning after a game between New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, Sunday, November 5, 2006. Colts won 27-20.
Bruins vs. Panthers First Round Playoffs 2023
Bruins 2023
Best record in regular season history, a 3-1 lead in the series and a one goal lead all blown in the last minute of game 7 of the FIRST Rd!! WTF…..
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 30: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins hugs Brad Marchand #63 before exiting the ice after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Honorable Mention - The Patriots vs. The Eagles in the 2018 Super Bowl
Pats/Eagles Super Bowl
Malcolm Butler, who literally won Super Bowl 49 vs the Seahawks, was perfectly healthy, but was benched because… we’re still not entirely sure. The “story” is that he got into an argument w the coaches during practice, but no one believes that. And now we’re left with a giant “What If”….
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 4: New England Patriots Malcolm Butler stands on sideline during 4th quarter of Super Bowl LII. The New England Patriots play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Feb. 4, 2018.