Bruins coach Claude Julien took the podium on Wednesday, just hours before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals vs. the Vancouver Canucks, and spoke in generalities.
There was no bulletin board material. There were no threats. There were no guarantees.
Just the obvious.
''We're hoping,'' Julien said, ''for a happy ending.''
They weren't alone.
As the Bruins battered their way through this postseason, they were able to capture Boston's attention much like the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots have done in recent championship seasons. Indeed, the city wrapped its arms around Julien's bunch and jumped on board for what's been an eventful 10-week ride.
The Red Sox caught the fever, as well. They were often seen wearing Bruins gear in and around the city, and Fenway Park has had a ''Good Luck'' sign, complete with a Bruins logo on its green fencing for more than a month.
''They love their teams. (It's) a sports town,'' Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford said Wednesday, before Boston took on the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. ''There are Bruins fans everywhere. They're real passionate. I've been watching them. You definitely get caught up in all of that, because everybody's watching it, wearing Bruins jerseys.
''You get excited about it.''
It was hard not to.
Win or lose on Wednesday night in Vancouver, the Bruins orchestrated a run for the ages, complete with just about everything hockey had to offer. There were three seven-game series — vs. Montreal, Tampa Bay and the Canucks — and even a dominant four-game sweep of Philadelphia in Round 2.
Goaltender Tim Thomas led the way in net — with his three shutouts and 15 postseason wins leading up to Wednesday's game — as well as in front of the microphone — with his colorful jabs and well-thought out responses.
Rookie forward Brad Marchand stirred the pot with some feisty play in the corners, and his nine goals through Monday, many of which came directly in front of the net.
But it was rarely easy for any of the Bruins on this odyssey. They fell down two games vs. both the Canadiens and the Canucks, and fought off elimination three times before Wednesday's decisive finale.
The second time they were in an 0-2 hole, Red Sox manager Terry Francona, who has won two championships in Boston, felt motivated to chime in. Francona, in fact, called and spoke with Julien.
On Wednesday at Tropicana Field, Francona was asked if he'd call again to his fellow friend in the coaching fraternity.
''He's got to take it from here,'' he said, smiling.
Francona knew enough to leave Julien alone. He knew he had the weight of the city's shoulders on him already. And besides, Francona had a game of his own to prepare for ... even if his surging club had to take a backseat for a night.
''Think anybody,'' Francona asked the media, playfully, ''will be watching our game tonight?''
Perhaps only those with two televisions.
