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Paul Pierce looks back after 1,000th game as a Celtic 03.10.12 at 10:26 am ET
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Paul Pierce played in his 1,000th game for the Celtics in Friday night’s 104-86 victory over the Blazers. Only Robert Parish (1,106 games) and John Havlicek (1,270 games) have played more games for the franchise than Pierce. Earlier this season, Pierce passed legend Kevin McHale on the all-time list for games played as a Celtic.

“When you think about your first game ever here at the Garden and your just excited to get your career started,” Pierce said. “Now so many years have past and I’ve reached a thousand games. You think, wow, it’s a combination of being here a long time and I’m getting older.”

In February, Pierce reached new heights in Celtic lure,  passing Larry Bird for second place on the franchise’s all-time scoring list. Overall, however, this season has been a roller-coaster ride for Pierce, like most of the Celtics. After missing the first three games because of a right-heel injury, Pierce struggled to find his game. This led to speculation that Pierce was involved in trade talks.

The captain regained form when the Celtics needed him most though. Pierce led the Celtics during a critical stretch, when Rajon Rondo was out of the lineup because of a wrist injury, earning Eastern conference Player of the Week honors in early February, and also a trip to his 10th All-Star selection.

For Pierce the milestones seem to resonate in the right way. He wants to retire a Celtic, wants to be mentioned among the all-time greats, but his main goals are rings, not statistics.

“I think the fans will really appreciate another championship more than me passing Hondo,” Pierce said the night he passed Bird. “So, you know, that’s my ultimate goal.”

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  • Titletown1

    Rask is not ready to be a number one goalie. Thank God this is only a 48 game season for him to get his feet wet as a number one. Six goals against that Buffalo team? Really Rask?  C’mon.

  • Geetsolboy

    Well. they weren’t going to go undefeated in regulation, but they were a mess defensively for most of the night. I thought Chara had a terrible game. Just waiting for Seguin to find his scoring touch too. 

  • bench warmer

    Jack Edwards sucks, it’s live streaming for me.

  • unbelievable

    m’eh…one game, who cares…no sense analyzing one poor performance. 

  • Wildworld76

    don’t poke the buffalo

  • Wildworld76

    don’t poke the buffalo

  • Wildworld76

    don’t poke the buffalo.

  • Wildworld76

    how’s thorton this am? Go Pat this weekend, yeah. 

  • Chris Nilan

    Hey Titletown, 
    Thornton is useless? That’s awesome. Chris Bourque was absolutely tearing up the AHL. His father has definitely helped him get where he is, but the reality is that he has lit up some serious points at every level he has ever played at. High School, College, Juniors, Pros, he has world class stats. Obviously he hasn’t looked impressive for the Bruins, so perhaps he’s not going to work out in the NHL, perhaps he’s too small for the big time, but it’s not like he didn’t do some things to earn this chance. He’s made the best of his fortunate settings, and perhaps he has finally reached his limits. But don’t hate on him for having the balls to give it his best shot.

  • glenn88

    Bourque is too small and not skilled enough for his size to play at the NHL level.  What you see through 5 games is what he is and why nobody gave him a spot on an NHL roster.   He can still be a top AHL scorer and a legend in Providence.   He was given a chance because of his last name, because his physical abilities don’t even fit Julien’s system.  

    Tardiff is 6-1 and 205 and is also a professional AHL scorer.   This is the type AHL goal scorer that can make a jump to the NHL is his late 20s and have a chance to contribute.  He can physically hold up to the NHL game.   

  • NYCBruinsFan

    Shawn Thorton – 7 years NHL, 2 Stanley Cups, 30 goals, 43 assists
    John Scott – 4 years NHL, 0 Cups, 1 goal, 4 assists

    Please, Scott isn’t even in the same league. Nice interview. At least he’s a gentleman.

  • Slede

    When Scott knock out Thornton he looked over at the Bruins bench and held up 1 finger, as if to say Thornton is the first to go down. Charro is going to have to go after this guy and beat him down.

  • Sicko

     Lol, lucky you this thing was a mess. The Bruins kept getting the lead and giving it right back. Poor defensive coverage all night. Rask looked lost at times but not completely his fault with tips and breakins all night. First time I have ever seen Thornton get tied up in a fight. Could not get loose and took a few good shots. Must have gotten a concussion as he didn’t come back. Oh well, they weren’t going to get points in every game.

  • Sicko

     What was with the Buffalo time out with 14 seconds left? I don’t think I have ever seen a team, up by 3, calling time out with seconds left.

  • Bruinman86

     That’s for sure.  Although I would have been a little more accepting if this had happened in Buffalo, not Boston.

  • Gray

     I was a little ‘irritated’ by that move.. Maybe they were just in shock and were checking to make sure they were the ones up 7-4 -shrug-

  • Sicko

     The worst part of the whole thing is they had the lead early in the third and gave it right back and more. If they had gotten blown out and beaten from the start it would be an easier game to just blow off.

  • Bruinman86

    Hopefully they will do like all good teams and go on another tear. Especially the next time these two teams face one another.

  • Fab4ever

    …yes…but this was a HUGE message sent by the Sabres…after all that went down last year, they beefed up and brought it to the Bruins…that takedown of Thornton was indeed stunning….but he’s a tough kid an I’m sure he’ll be looking for a rematch at some point. Just proves once again, it’s a 60 minute game and the B’s were not involved in a good portion of it….we know they are capable of better…

  • Uncle Buck

    For some reason the Bruins seemed to stop skating in the 3rd period.  Not sure if they thought they could just dial it up or not, but they lost their edge.  I heard the first period on the radio driving home, so I didn’t see the Thorton fiasco.  He did get handled.  Would like to see what Chara has for the Scott kid.  6’8″ and 250lbs is a little much for Thornton, obviously. Thomas Vanek has had the Bruins’ number for awhile.  We see them two times this month I think.  

  • Titletown1

    Bourque is useless; without his last name he would have been selling life insurance long ago.

    Shawn Thornton is only slightly less useless; let’s see what Tardif can do.

  • Emcrthy

    How manny cups have you won ?

  • Ih8sno

    He looked AWFUL in this fight.  Went down like be atch

  • Toby

    I love when non-boston fans have nothing better to do than read boston sports.  Shutcha face!

  • Old Time Hockey

    Ryan Miller calling somebody a cry baby is hysterical. Nobody owns the Bruins. You have one tough guy we have 15. Your tough guy plays 3 minutes a game. It’s not worth Chara or Lucic’s time to fight that thug. The Bruins have owned the Sabres for years and this year will be no different. Go celebrate your one win. Sabres won’t even make the playoffs.

  • Fab4ever

    …and per se, as usual, this attempt at logic proves once again that trolls lack all reason and common sense about anything…”The Pats aren’t in the Super Bowl “..but at least we got to the AFC Championship. How ’bout those Bills. “The Bruins are weak”…yeah, they’re so weak that they’re in 1st place with one regulation loss. Where are the mighty Sabres? Yep, there they are, scraping the bottom….Nobody is crying bonehead…don’t you have some snow to shovel?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LGMZMQ5VVG2F7E4X3OUBPRFFZM Jeff S

     All Buffalo fans do is recall all of the championships their teams have won. There, done. Congrats to the Sabres on wasting a roster spot for a good how plays 3 minutes a game. If someone pummels Vanek you’ll cry again. Go put on a clean diaper and hide in your crease.

  • Jonmh69

    Would rather be a Boston sports fan and cry then have to watch any Buffalo sports team on a regular basis. Call me when your town wins something. 

  • Fab4ever

    …and it won’t be the last fight he loses…he’ll be back and he’ll be looking for this fellow…did someone hijack your ID or did you just OD on stupid today?

  • ScoopBurton

    I would like to hear the explanation of how Thornton is not a goon. His skating prwess? His laser accurate passing? His explosive bulls eye shot?

  • ScoopBurton

    The man definitely is no punk….Besides that Chara is too smart to even bother with the guy. There are more important things for Chara to do.

  • whitey

    Thorton is a fighter yes.  He lacks blazing speed, yes..He doesnt have world class offensive skills, but I will say this…..The guy is no cheap shot punk!!!  The guy has a role as the teams protector, and he knows that, so thats what he does!!!  The guy fights fairly, and rarely acts like a punk while doing it!!  Yes, he got smashed in this fight, but who doesnt against that gorilla??  Thorton is widely respected across the Nhl, as a guy who takes care of business, yet he handles himself respectfully…

  • whitey

    Hey Johnny, I hope you get frostbite in that big mouth of yours when you go to Vail!!!

  • Fab4ever

    Hardly an “opinion” douch e…an opinion is fine with me….this was just stupid being stupid…kinda like you ain’t it? I shoulda known crap attracts crap so I guess why you supported him….
    Let’s hope you pull a Sonny Bono in Vail…

  • whitey

    5 posts in 8 minutes!!!!   Boy, someone likes to hear himself talk!!  Do us all a favor and beat it!!

  • ScoopBurton

    Those are very hurtful words

  • ScoopBurton

    fair enough

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