Expect reinforcements from Providence

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Apr 20, 2009 1:26 AM EDT

With the injury to Matt Hunwick (spleen) and the suspension of Milan Lucic, the Bruins only spare part is defenseman Andrew Ference, who is also recovering from an undisclosed injury. The Bruins will likely call up one or two players from Providence tomorrow. The Baby B's had a Calder Cup playoff game tonight against the Portland Pirates, so the team likely wanted to wait until after the game to call up anyone. My guess would be that the Bruins will call up forward Vladimir Sobotka and defenseman Johnny Boychuk. Peter Chiarelli has indicated that he prefers not to call up players from Providence during the Calder Cup playoffs but with the Bruins shorthanded they don't have any other option. The Providence Bruins, who lead their first round series against Portland 2-1 don't play again until Thursday night, so the timing of these anticipated call-ups could work out perfectly.

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I wouldn’t mind seeing a little Byron Bitz.

by ike6116 on Apr 20, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions

bitz will probably be the one in the lineup, but its good to have an additional D&F as backup in case someone gets injured or needs an organ removed.

by andie on Apr 20, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

It will be bitz tonight, he will skate with Thornton and Yelle, which is a good thing, they play well together and Thorny and Yeller are both experianced and can help Bitz out in his first playoff game, similiar to what they have been doing with Wheels.

Its up to Wheels tongith to produce the points in Lucic abscence and up to Bitz and the rest of our physical guys to pick up the hits Lucic usually doles out.

Its still good to have the backups, most likely Boychuk (who is a top twenty scorer as a dman in the AHL, i beleive, or was at one point) and Sobotka has some experiance and is gritty and can fill in that fourth line in a pinch, I would ideally like to see Jeremy Reich, but his one way contract I beleive prohibits that move, he would be physical, grindy, and im sure wouldn’t mind whacking around some Habs.

by Mastayetti on Apr 20, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

Reich would have to clear waivers to be brought up. I believe he is also the captain down in Providence so I would not expect to see him in Boston during the playoffs.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Serving of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Apr 20, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions