Tough finish to yesterday's battle against the Rangers, as the Bruins came oh so close to killing off 3 minutes and 10 seconds of a 4-on-3 created by Andrew Ference's boarding penalty. The Bruins failed to leapfrog the Rangers, but because they got the charity point they can tie the Rangers in points with a win over the Flyers today, and because the Bruins have more wins they would be in first place. It's not very important at this stage, but it's always nice to be in first.
I don't think anyone would be shocked if the "The Bruins are Dirty!" crowd starts up again after Ference's hit on Ryan McDonagh yesterday. But the last guy that anyone should consider dirty is Andrew Ference; he's very much about being clean, both on and off the ice. His postgame comments yesterday showed clear remorse for the hit. Hockey is a fast game, and things like that happen, even with the cleanest players. But that's no excuse; Ference will get a few games for that hit.
After the jump, more Ference talk, an update on Marc Savard, and more concussion trouble for the Flyers.
Bruins News
- Here we go again... More ammunition for the haters out there [WEEI]
- Ference would like to avoid a suspension, but I think he's bound to get a few. [WEEI]
- Tragically, Marc Savard's life is still affected by concussions. One year ago yesterday he played his last game after getting hit hard by Matt Hunwick. Savard was in the Garden yesterday to formally dedicate a suite he bought for children suffering from brain injuries. Amazing person. [ESPN]
- Bad ending for Tuukka Rask yesterday, who had a great game and made two awesome saves before Marian Gaborik netted the game-winner. [ESPN]
- Puck Daddy on the hit. Consider yourself warned if you delve into the comments. [Puck Daddy]
- The Bruins' defensemen were very involved in the offense yesterday, with Ference and Adam McQuaid scoring the Bruins' two goals. [CSNNE]
- Ference will have a phone hearing Sunday morning, which I think means five games or less. Steven Kampfer will assumedly be in his place in the lineup for the Flyers game. [CSNNE]
NHL News
- Jaroslav Spacek is glad to be out of Montreal. Is anyone else loving the Canadiens/Jets similarities? [Pro Hockey Talk]
- Thomas Vanek is embarrassed at the Sabres' recent play. [Pro Hockey Talk]
- Danny Briere is the latest Flyer to suffer a concussion, and is out indefinitely. He joins James van Riemsdyk and Chris Pronger as Flyers out with concussions, not to mention the concussions suffered by Claude Giroux, Matt Read, and Brayden Schenn earlier this year. [Puck Daddy]
- Sidney Crosby is in California to see a neurological spine specialist. That does not sound good. [NHL]
- Taylor Hall and his epic scar returned to the lineup last night for the Oilers. [TSN]
- P.K. Subban was fined $2,500 for tripping (read: slew-footing) Pittsburgh's Chris Kunitz Friday. [ESPN]