With America’s latest mass shooting having occurred the day before in nearby Lewiston, Me., the Bruins tried to show solidarity with the victims last night. Here’s what took place:
- As you can see above, the Bruins hung a jersey behind their bench with No. 207 (Lewiston’s area code) and the words “Lewiston Strong.”
- The Bruins added Maine-shaped rear-helmet and -mask decals:
- The visiting Ducks also wore the decals:
- Although I had a hard time discerning it in game photos, players on both teams used blue stick tape (the color of the Maine flag):
For Lewiston 💙
Player-signed sticks from both the #NHLBruins and @AnaheimDucks will be available for auction – benefitting the victims’ families – later tonight at https://t.co/ZoZAhKs8lx. pic.twitter.com/NXByWGo7gx
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 26, 2023
Sickeningly, this is the second time in seven months that that the Bruins have had occasion to wear a helmet decal in response to a mass shooting. Back in March, they played a road game against the Predators right after the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, and both teams added a helmet commemoration:
If anyone knows of other uni-based responses to the Maine massacre, feel free to post them in the comments.
The Maine suspect is still at large. To all our readers up there — and, especially, to our own Anthony Emerson — take care and stay safe.
Regarding the stick tape, which to me seems like the most genuine and authentic of the gestures last night: Navy blue is the color of most state flags. Maine has an excellent alternate flag proposal floating around, really just the original official state flag from 1901, and when I drove through Maine on the way to the Maritime provinces in 2019, I saw versions of the proposed state flag all over. You can read about it here: link The stylized green pine tree would be a much more distinctive symbol than the color blue.
I figured it was a reference to UMaine’s school colors.
Lewiston High School uses that specific blue, so I would guess that’s the reason for the blue tape.
I was aware of the prevalence of navy blue in state flags, but the other day I had to come up with unique 2-colour combos for each state + D.C., and I was so disappointed by the general lack of inspiration I was able to take from the flags.
Oooh, I’d love to see any or all of your work on this score! Terrific idea for a project.
Tell your mom that Uni Watch readers say hi!
Such a tragedy. Nice gestures by both teams. On a happier note: the can has strong Toronto vibes,
The World Series preview was so good. If you’re not a subscriber to Paul’s Substack, do yourself a favor and subscribe.
I moved from the Boston area with my wife and young daughter up to Maine (to be closer to family) earlier this year. I never thought I’d utter the phrase “The last time we were in a manhunt lockdown…” but here we are. Appreciative of all the gestures and good vibes, but feeling very frustrated at the lack of updates on capturing the murderer.
Went to Dunks’ yesterday morning, and they didn’t have any baked goods because their baking facility is in Lewiston and it’s locked down. It’s absolutely surreal, never seen anything like it.
Yeah, it’s just been nuts. We’re not technically under a stay at home order but my daughter’s daycare is closed. My brother in law works at Bates and those poor students are just in limbo right now. Hoping for a resolution or at least a positive update this afternoon.
Anthony, I hope you’re doing well and staying safe!
Thank you AJ, you also.
I don’t understand the use of the word “pointless” in the headline. I’m not even sure how we could know if its accurate, but its definitely not relevant.
I’m sorry, are there mass shootings that haven’t been pointless?
I think you guys are agreeing with each other…
And I’m only guessing but I think “pointless” was used to emphasize how exasperating it is to hear about something like this that should have been prevented by already-existing societal mechanisms (my opinion, not speaking for others)…with a follow-up of simply “sigh”…
What does pointless even mean? Point as in reason? Yea, these wackjobs often leave manifestos detailing their “point”. Would a point make the mass shooting….better?
“Pointless” seems to be a soft-peddled euphemism for “avoidable” to suggest that these need-not have happened if only we had acted in opposition to the constitution. Its just an odd criticism of a tragic event. “Senseless” though equally empty, would be better.
SafTLube would have been a good advertiser on the Toronto AreTnas jersey (if a good advertiser were ever possible).
Enjoy your visit, Paul!
The Bruins have another strong connection to Maine in that Head Coach Jim Montgomery and goaltender Jeremy Swayman both attended and played hockey at the University of Maine. In fact it was Swayman that hung the 207 sweater behind the bench. As a longtime Bruins fan living in Maine the gestures were appreciated as is all the other support we have been receiving.
Shooter has been found. Not a manhunt any more.