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Bruins Star McAvoy Escapes Serious Injury After Head Hit
5 Feb
Summary
- Defenseman Charlie McAvoy was hit in the head by an opponent's elbow.
- Despite initial concern, McAvoy returned to play in the second period.
- The Bruins ultimately lost the game in a shootout to the Panthers.
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy endured a frightening on-ice collision when Sandis Vilmanis delivered an elbow to the left side of his head during Wednesday's game. McAvoy, a crucial player for the Bruins and an anticipated member of Team USA for the Olympics, was slow to rise, raising concerns about his health and potential impact on his international play. Vilmanis received a minor penalty for the illegal check.
Despite the scary incident and his teammates' visible anger, McAvoy returned to the ice for the second period, a welcome sight for the Bruins. However, the Panthers capitalized, scoring three goals in the second period to build a 4-2 lead. The Bruins mounted a comeback in the third, with goals from Mark Kastelic and Casey Mittelstadt tying the game and forcing a shootout.
Ultimately, the Bruins suffered a 5-4 shootout loss, concluding their two-game Florida swing with two shootout defeats. Coach Marco Sturm expressed frustration over the officiating regarding the hit on McAvoy, emphasizing his dedication to protecting his players. The team's concern for McAvoy was palpable, especially given his past battles with significant injuries.
