According to John Bishop of the Boston Bruins website, Andrew Ference is expected to miss six weeks with a groin injury.
Ference went down in the second period of Tuesday night’s game after getting hit by Senators defenseman Chris Phillips. Earlier in the game, it looked as though Ference had recorded his first goal of the season. The goal was given to Blake Wheeler, however, after it was determined that the puck deflected off his skate; Ference was given the assist.
Though Ference is used to being placed on the shelf, he has managed to stay healthy for all 42 games this season, a feat that only seven Bruins players have accomplished.
With Mark Stuart already sidelined, the Bruins defensive unit is growing thin. Rookie Adam McQuaid should get a chance to showcase his skills in the coming weeks. Of course, every time that Ference goes down, one has to wonder about his future in a Bruins uniform. Ference played only 47 games last season and only 59 in 2007-2008.