Despite a momentary scare when Brad Marchand left the ice clutching his wrist, the Boston Bruins’ intrasquad scrimmage was a great success.
Looking at the way that TD Garden rocked, you would think this was far more than just a bit of a game-pace practice for the Boston Bruins. What was more; it wasn’t just the teams on the ice getting the practice in. Even the Boston Bruins’ Twitter account was updating goalscorers in the manner they would in genuine game action.
The size of the crowd in attendance didn’t belie the fact it was a scrimmage and the loud and sustained ‘we want the Cup’ chants all made for an atmosphere that was unexpectedly good.
On the ice itself, the biggest talking points were the fact that Tuukka Rask finally proved himself beatable to the tune of two goals before being swapped for the second half (yes, second half) of the session by Zane McIntyre.
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David Backes showed himself to be raring to go, ready to face the team that not only drafted him into the NHL, but the team he spent time as the captain of. He notched two goals on the night!
Brad Marchand scared the Boston Bruins faithful in attendance as he at one point left the ice clutching his wrist, causing Twitter to go into meltdown with the notion that a star player may have been injured in what, after all, was just a fancy scrimmage.
He has since given everyone the all-clear that it was game-time pain and nothing more. Obviously, we shall wait and see as hockey players tend to keep any sort of injury concern firmly under wraps.
The one notable absence from the game was David Krejci, though you’d have to think he was having another maintenance day as opposed to any bigger concern.
Finally, the ‘Black Aces’; a practice squad that has been maintaining its’ on-ice fitness and conditioning should any of them be called upon to fill in for injured or suspended Boston Bruins, showed themselves to be very able.
All of them clearly had fire in their bellies, hoping to impress Boston Bruins coaching staff and maybe get a sniff of the Stanley Cup Final. At the very least, should the Bruins go on to win it all, they know that their involvement in keeping the players fighting fit during this extended break between the Eastern Conference final and Game 1, was important.
On the night; Peter Cehlarik, Anton Blidh and Karson Kuhlman all netted a goal apiece, pushing their claims for Stanley Cup Final game-time. Trent Frederic also put in a good showing for the Boston Bruins’ black team.
All in all, it was a great night. There was a real party atmosphere in a near sell-out arena. Anyone would think the Stanley Cup Final was coming to town!