Re-sign Rizzoli
It has been five months since Jane Rizzoli signed her contract with the Devils. She's played 30 out of 34 games so far and is one of the main reasons why Boston is currently in a playoff spot. 31 points in 30 games is just what Boston needs in a player. For years now, they have been missing a superstar, a goal getter, someone who can tip the scale in their favor. Jane Rizzoli has all of that, and more.
I could go on and on about her skills, her speed and stick handling, the way she reads the play and is a constant threat for the opposing team. But I won't. I will let the numbers speak for me.
30 games. 19 goals, 12 assists, 31 points. 3 shorthanded goals. 6 power play goals. 8 multi points games. 1 hat trick and 5 game winning goals. She was involved in all three goals against Carolina last night. She assisted Taylor on the game winning goal in overtime against San Diego a few nights before that.
Boston Daredevils need to extend her contract, now. Even if we're in the middle of February, even if she signed for two years and barely five months have gone by.
General manager Chris Stewart came to a Boston in pieces two years ago and had to start from scratch. They are rebuilding and we are all aware that it takes time. A lot of changes have been made in those two years, but what Boston has found now, is another cornerstone to build their team around. Heather Thompson is an amazing player and captain, don't get me wrong, but she can't carry the team alone. And along with goalie Louisa Graham, Thompson is the backbone in the defense.
What has been missing the whole time is the offense. You can't win hockey games with good defense alone, but it's a start. With good defense comes good offense, it's a reason why it's always being said in hockey. Rizzoli knows that, and although she's a pure breed offensive player, we have seen that her defensive play is getting significantly better. This is a type of player the Devils need to build off. The chemistry with Taylor is something they need to preserve and continue to develop.
Which is why Stewart needs to do the right thing and make sure Rizzoli stays in Boston. We can't afford to let her go.
Jane slowly closed her laptop and pushed it away. She leaned her arms on the kitchen counter and looked at Danielle who sat on the other side. "Well, shit…"
Danielle smiled and grabbed the laptop. She opened it again and looked at the words on the screen. "Told you it was a heavy one."
"They make me look like I'm freaking Jesus" Jane complained. "Like I'm here to save the team and get them a cup all by myself!"
"Okay, I wouldn't say Jesus... but you and I both know you're here for a reason. They signed you because you score goals and because you're one hell of a player. And you have the brightest future of all players right now." Danielle looked up at her friend. "I totally agree with whoever wrote this piece."
Jane groaned and straightened up. "I know I'm here to score goals but…"
"The numbers don't lie, Jane. And please don't play innocent with me. You know you're having a great season, you know just as well as I do that 19 goals so far is really good. And you know that you will end up averaging a point per game when the season is over."
"I hope so…"
Danielle sighed and shook her head. "You know. I know you will too, and if you don't, I'll eat your damn jersey…"
Jane laughed. "Oh man, I'd love to see that! Maybe I need to keep a closer track on my points from now on."
"Cheating is not allowed." Danielle smiled and turned the laptop so it was facing Jane. "But seriously, this is all true. So please tell me you will extend your contract with Devils when they ask you to."
"If they want me to stay, I will stay. Unless something very strange happens."
"Like what? Maura quits?"
Jane struggled to roll her eyes without laughing too much. "I gotta go pack" she smiled and headed for her bedroom, trying to get out of the conversation. "You're still driving me to the airport, right?" she called out as she grabbed her bag just inside the door. She never bothered to put it away seeing as they were constantly travelling.
"Yes, miss Superstar, your personal driver will get you safely to the airport so you can fly off and do your thing" Danielle mocked as she came after Jane. She noticed Jane's phone blinking on the dresser. "You got a text by the way."
"Have I told you how funny you can be sometimes?" Jane quickly found the clothes she needed and put them in the bag.
Danielle shrugged as Jane grabbed her phone and unlocked the screen. She opened the text and for a second, she was confused when it was from a number she hadn't saved. That confusion quickly disappeared when she started to read.
Hi Jane, it's Maura. Just wanted to say that I read the article about you. Very nice! Makes me feel proud to be on first name basis with you!
"What?" Danielle asked when Jane started to smile. She sat down on Jane's bed.
"Text" Jane explained and looked up. "From Maura."
"You're texting now?!"
Jane laughed while she started to type a reply. "Apparently…"
Thank you… but it's not really something to be proud over. That article was a bit too much.
"You two have a very strange relationship" Danielle grinned and crossed her legs in front of her.
Jane just nodded as she closed her bag and threw it out in the hall. "I totally agree." The phone buzzed again in her hand and Jane was quick to open the message.
Of course it is! I don't think you know how popular you're becoming here in Boston. You're the best player on the team right now. (Please don't tell the others I said that!) And if Chris hasn't seen this article, I will personally make sure he does.
"You're not even gonna tell me what she wrote?" Danielle teased.
"Hold on" Jane mumbled, too busy typing to focus on her friend.
I promise not to tell :) And thank you, again. It's just a bit weird to read about myself sometimes.
"Here" Jane said and handed her phone over to Danielle. "Knock yourself out."
Danielle grinned as she started to read, but was interrupted by a new text coming in. "Oh, she's responding." She was about to return the phone, but curiosity won. "Damn, that woman's got some fast fingers!" They both realized what she had said at the same moment and looked at each other. Danielle started to laugh. "Well, that's a good sign I suppose!"
Jane laughed as well and exhaled before she turned back to her closet to find out what to wear that day. "What did she write?"
"When it comes to the media writing about you, I think you just have to get used to it. With a winking smiley! And then that she'll see you later." Danielle lowered her hands and stared at Jane. "She uses smileys?! She doesn't strike me as the type to use smileys!"
"Me neither" Jane replied and pulled out a pair of jeans and a simple black button-up. "Maybe she's trying to be cool" she smirked and looked at Danielle. "I just gotta shower then I'll be ready to go."
"Yeah, sure" Danielle mumbled while staring down at the screen again. "And you guys are so not on first name basis anymore! You're more on second base!" she blurted out as she saw the first text.
Jane stepped out of her room only to return right away. She walked over to Danielle and snapped the phone out of her hands. "I think I'll take this one with me so I won't have any surprises when I get back…" she winked.
Danielle laughed and watched as Jane left the room again. "Probably a good call!"
Six Straight
The Devils continue to impress and dominate on home court. Kansas was beaten 4-2 tonight and made sure the Devils have a shot at tying a franchise best at 7 straight wins at home. The record was set in 2010 and they have never been close to tying it until now. Even though it's not a subject within the team, coach Landers says it's still a motivation.
"Knowing we can tie the record is of course a huge inspiration for us, but it's not something we focus too much on. We're still gonna play our game regardless of who is on the other side. But of course, wins against San Diego and New Orleans who are both very good teams, meant a lot to the girls. So they are definitely hungry for more."
The new star in town, Jane Rizzoli, has been a rock in the six home games with 7 goals and 12 points, including 5 multi points games. She is obviously not looking back! So the expectations are high for the next home game against New York in two days. After a decent start to the season, New York has plummeted in the standings and are currently third last in the league. It could be a fun game to watch if you're a Boston fan, and it should be the 7th straight victory at home.
