Gerard Valentino

@Aportzline I’m a subscriber and love your stuff, you’re one of the best hockey writers I’ve come across and growing up in Chicago we had great writers, but if the Athletic keeps running political garbage like the piece about the Texas Rangers statue I’m out, I subscribed to avoid that crap

For those of you who aren’t YET subscribers, this column / opinion piece is a “gift article,” which means it’s a free read, available with a subscription: The Athletic: Portzline | Rick Bowness spoke for #CBJ fans when he torched his players nytimes.com/athletic/71984…

@Aportzline Their gutless, he finally said it

The Athletic: Furious #CBJ coach Rick Bowness, fighting back emotions, blasts club after season-ending loss to #ALLCaps "Like, I don’t know if I’m back (as coach next season), but if I’m back, I’m changing this culture." nytimes.com/athletic/71977…

@Aportzline Gutless till the end

#CBJ going down a skater at 14:06 of the third. Wood with a highstick on #ALLCaps Fehervary. 1-1

@Aportzline Still waiting for their first “want to” goal of the season - this team is gutless

#CBJ lose 3-2 to #NHLBruins They still aren't technically eliminated, but now they need a ton of help.

@Aportzline How on earth could anyone have faith in Elvis? I’d put myself or @Aportzline in goal before Elvis and my guess is Aaron and I both skate like a drunken baboon with a cactus in his pants

Can only pick one

@Aportzline They look good when it doesn’t matter any more

#CBJ Coyle buries his 20th goal off a power-play tap-in at 9:59 of the third. Marchenko the perfect set-up. #CBJ forwards have come to life tonight. 5-2 midway through the third

@Aportzline This time of the year is about “want to” and this team doesn’t have it

#Sabrehood goaltender Colten Ellis, making his 15th NHL start, is looking for his first shutout. So far, 28 saves through 7:53 of the third. #CBJ

@Aportzline They’re gutless, I’d never accuse them of not trying, but they sure as hell can’t score the hard goals, first time I’ve been ashamed to be a CBJ fan, even the terrible teams had heart, these guys don’t

#CBJ Marchenko with a clean look from the right circle, but he's really struggling. Hit the goat's head on #Sabrehood Ellis' sweater

@Aportzline They look horrible so far in the second - slow, soft and gutless

#CBJ Marchment takes a puck to the side of the head on a Werenski clearing attempt and he's down briefly. Off under his own power and seated on the #CBJ bench.

@Aportzline Heartless and gutless

If this were a fight, they might have stopped it. 3-0 Carolina leads after the first period. #CBJ look completely outmatched. Shots 10-2, shot attempts 26-11

@JacketsInsider Won’t help this group l, they’re gutless

The good news: Losses by the Islanders, Senators, Flyers and Red Wings mean #CBJ will remain in a playoff spot at the close of business tonight.

@Aportzline Won’t matter this team is done, they have no guts character or heart

The three clubs who are chasing #CBJ for the second wildcard all lost tonight: WASH 6, PHI 4 FLA 6, OTT 3 PITT 5, DET 1 Could be an incredibly fortunate night for #CBJ, who now trail Carolina 4-2 late in the third.

@Aportzline Wow they have nothing - it’s just sad

Carolina 3=2

@Aportzline A hard fought “want to” goal - first one all year, it’s a miracle

2-1

@CBJ_Opinions They look gutless like they have all year and when it mattered last year

I will reserve judgement till the end of the game but CBJ looks completely gassed, almost as if the incredible 2 month run took everything out of them. Someone needs to step up and provide a spark, otherwise we are back to square one. #cbj

@atalanca @Aportzline This team is gutless, two years running they wilted when it mattered

@Aportzline Another year of almost being good enough to make the playoffs!!

And a smattering of boos here in Nationwide Arena after the first period.

@Aportzline If I’m Bowness I RUN from this team

@Aportzline Grew up a Blackhawks fans, have watched hockey for 50 years and watched the Hawks 3x Cup winners, this team doesn’t have any of the grit or “want to”, of a good team they wilt under pressure, they’re soft - two years in a row they wilted when it mattered, no heart

#CBJ Sillinger had that puck on his stick, but couldn't clear it. Carolina takes advantage in tight, another power play goal. 2-0 at 16:12

@Aportzline GUUUUUUUUTLEEESSSS

At a stoppage, #CBJ Jenner heads over and gives Carolina's Aho a big shove. A response to his fracas with Werenski no doubt. Carolina's Svechnikov, who is back, btw, off for roughing at 8:48 of the first. #CBJ to the power play.

@Aportzline @logsmith07 Gutless, just like their swoon last year

@logsmith07 Completely disagree. Good pace here early.

Hurricanes take a 1-0 lead at 13:29 of the first period. Gostisbehere with a slapper from the right right circle. #CBJ