Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk is expected to miss roughly four weeks due to a broken arm.The injury occurred in the first period of Saturday night’s 2-1 loss to the Rangers as he sustained a slight fracture to a bone in his left forearm.
"Yeah, right about there," said Boychuk of his anticipated (four week) return. "They told me that. It sucks, but that’s the way it has to be."
After sustaining the injury, Boychuk did what most hockey players do, and tried to continue playing in the game at hand.
"I was going down the wall and I got slashed on the wrist, and I went back to the bench as soon as it happened because, well, it hurt pretty bad," he said. "I came back and had to put some tape on the wrist to finish the period.
"I just tried to suck it up I guess," continued Boychuk, who said he played through five shifts after being slashed. "I just thought it was like a bruise or something like that...and tried to finish the period."
Boychuk will be missed while he’s recovering, as the Bruins have gotten off to a quick start, especially defensively. Bruins head coach Claude Julien echoed the hard felt loss.
"It's a loss, there's no doubt," said Julien. "He's been playing some pretty good hockey for us and has been pretty consistent since last year, so you lose a guy who's...been a consistent player in your lineup every night.
"So, it's an opportunity for someone else to step right in and fill the gap. We've been through that many times in the past and it's only of -- probably -- many more to come."
Through six games Boychuk has contributed 3 assists and 12 shots, but his biggest contribution is the heads-up play in his own zone as he has a +3 rating to date.
The 26 year-old is primed to have a good season after making his first full season debut last year where he recorded 5 goals and 10 assists with a +10 rating and 43 penalty minutes.
- Kendall Grubbs
No comments:
Post a Comment