Boston Bruins: Colin Miller Delivers Punishing Hit

Boston Bruins defenceman delivered a punishing hit to Arizona Coyotes forward Alexander Burmistrov during Tuesday’s nights game at the TD Garden.

Boston Bruins defenceman Colin Miller unloaded a devastating hit on Coyote forward Alexander Burmistrov during the Boston-Arizona game Tuesday night.  The hit happened in the second period of the game.

This was probably the hardest Miller has hit anyone in his NHL career. It was a punishing blow that led to a kerfuffle between the B’s and the Coyotes immediately after the hit.

Burmistov’s head was down because he was watching the puck, not the people around him. At no time did Miller try to throw an elbow or jump up into the Coyotes forward. Still, the hit was devastating. Burmistrov crumpled to the ice and remained motionless for several minutes.

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Trainers from both teams came out to check on the Coyotes forward. They then called in additional medical personnel. Burmistrov was placed on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital for observation. Burmistrov gave the thumbs up from the gurney as he was taken off the ice.

There is one thing that all parties agree on: It was a clean and legal hit. Both coaches  acknowledged it. Both players involved regarded the hit as clean. Nevertheless, the ref went full ‘Goddell’ on Miller, ejecting him from the game.

The fans didn’t like the call. Bruce Cassidy didn’t like the call. The team at Causeway Crowd agreed with everybody else.

In the end, there was nothing the Bruins could do about the call.  The B’s continued on with a shortened blueline and finished out the game. At least the Hockey Gods were watching out for both Burmistrov and the Bruins.

The 25-year old Russian later posted an Instagram photo indicating he was alright. The Bruins were able to score on a short-handed opportunity during the resulting Coyote’s power-play.

The Bruins went on to beat the Coyotes 4-1. The Black and Gold are now 7-1 under Coach Bruce Cassidy. For the first time this season, the B’s have a four game win streak at the TD Garden.

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If there will be any sort of disciplinary action (although every party involved has agreed it was a clean hit), there will be an announcement from the Department of Player Safety. Hopefully, the DoPS will acknowledge the cleanliness of the hit and offer up some generalist statement about how the ref was ‘responding to the severity of the hit’ (or other such nonsense).