Today was another exciting day at the IIHF Men’s Tournament in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Boston Bruins once again represented themselves well in today’s action. Brad Marchand and Team Canada obliterated Team Belarus with a 8-0 victory keeping Canada undefeated in the tournament.
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While it was a great win for Team Canada, it wasn’t a great day for Brad Marchand. Half way during the second period (and Team Canada already up 3-0) Belarus defenseman Nikita Ustinenko caught Marchand on the jaw and sent Boston’s Little Ball of Hate careening to the ice.
Marchand gets elbowed pic.twitter.com/LaQdHyBmzJ
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) May 9, 2016
That penalty led Marchand’s linemate (and Colorado Avalanche forward) Matt Duchene to score Team Canada’s second power play goal of the game. Marchand played a limited amount of time after that and did not return to the ice in the third period.
This is the last thing Boston Bruins fans want to see. Brad Marchand, last season’s leading scorer getting hurt while playing offseason hockey. Thankfully, it doesn’t appear to be that serious. According to Darren Drager, while Marchand was hurt during the game, his absence from the game came from re-aggravating an injury he had before heading over to Russia.
Brad Marchand aggregated pre-tourny injury, but Team Canada staff expects he will be fine. Not related to high hit in 2nd period.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 9, 2016
So, it doesn’t look like he sustained a concussion. There is no further word on the injury to Marchand, but it looks like it won’t keep him out of the rest of the tournament for the moment.
While Marchand’s injury is certainly a let down for Team Canada and Bruins fans, they can be happy that Frank Vatrano earned his first goal of the tournament. Team USA was down 2-0 to Team Finland in the first period. Vatrano fired a missile past the Finnish goaltender to help move Team USA within one goal. (Finland went on win 3-2, giving Team USA their second loss of the tournament.)
David Pastrnak was busy as well. He netted his first goal of the tournament taking on Team Sweden.
David Pastrnak cuts Sweden's lead to 2-1 #IIHFWorlds #NHLBruins https://t.co/oirG49OtXe
— Marina Maher (@marinakmaher) May 9, 2016
Pastrnak’s goal helped the Czech team catch up to Team Sweden. The Czech team ended up beating Team Sweden 4-2. That win now puts The Czech Republic atop Group A at the tournament.
It’s good to see the Boston Bruins players producing in international competition. Marchand has put in two goals so far this tournament. Pastrnak and Vatrano are tied at three points (one goal). As long as all three Bruins come out of the tournament without any more bumps and bruises, the fans will be happy.