Stanley Cup of Chowder, a Boston Bruins community

The Boston Herald is reporting that Mark Recchi had to have surgery to remove a kidney stone prior to Game 7. He said that he had been experiencing shooting pains in his side since after Game 4.

Aaron Ward spoke with the media today after the morning skate about the incident with Scott Walker in Game 5. "It's a joke. It's honestly a joke. I don't remember a single word being said. I was looking at Matt Cullen. The moment I saw his right hand was when it was about a foot away from my face." When asked if he will wear a visor as instructed by doctors: "I haven't worn one in 16 years. I'm not going to start now." Ward also added that he never spoke to Colin Campbell regarding the incident before Campbell issued his ruling.

James Murphy is reporting on NESN.com that Aaron Ward will likely be available to play tomorrow night. Ward traveled with the team to Raleigh this afternoon.

Joe Haggerty of WEEI is reporting that the Bruins players held several players-only meetings on Thursday to discuss the team's play lately and the lack of emotion on the ice during the last two games.

From CBC Sports: "Julien declined to disclose whether Andrew Ference or Blake Wheeler will be available tomorrow. Ference looked like he aggravated a lower-body injury in the second period when he was checked into the boards by Scott Walker. Ference skated only three shifts in the second period and didn't play in the third period or overtime. Wheeler was hurt while blocking a shot in the second period. Wheeler underwent X-rays after the game." In the event that either player or both players can't play tomorrow night, I would expect Shane Hnidy to take Ference's spot and Byron Bitz to step in for Wheeler. Call ups could also be likely, considering that they don't have any other healthy bodies. I'd like to see what Johnny Boychuk can do, but that might be throwing him directly into the fire.

Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan was on 850 AM The Buzz in Raleigh, NC. Ryan for some reason was assigned to cover the B's-Canes series. During the interview, Bob Ryan debunked the myth about the RBC Center being "the loudest building in the league", calling it "nothing special" and "totally overrated"

Bish is reporting that neither the Bruins nor the Hurricanes will practice today. Both coaches are scheduled to speak to the media today. The Hurricanes have also scheduled media availability for their players, but the Bruins players will not be available to the media.

I wrote this back in September, but I thought it was relevant to this series.

John Bishop from BostonBruins.com is reporting that Chuck Kobasew was feeling "a little under the weather" and did not practice with the team this morning. He was on the team's flight to Raleigh this afternoon and is expected to be in the lineup tomorrow night.

The New York Times website asked me again to participate in their "Hockey Night in Blogdom" series and answer a few questions about the B's-Canes series. Fellow SB Nation blogger Cory Lavalette from Canes Country fielded the same questions from a Carolina fan's point of view.