Injured Cehlarik to miss 4 weeks
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
Peter Cehlarik cannot catch a break. With a chance to make the team out of training camp, the big winger could not join the competition because he was still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
Cehlarik started the season down in Providence and tore up the AHL for a while before suffering a groin injury, causing him to miss another opportunity when the Bruins were first beset by injuries.
And now, after it appeared as though he’d gotten a foothold on a roster spot, he’s been knocked out of the lineup again.
There was not much information on the injury from the Bruins other than that it’s a lower-body injury and that he’ll be re-evaluated in four weeks. He was seen in the press box yesterday during the B’s 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers with an immobilizing brace on his left leg and using crutches.
In Friday’s win against the Penguins, Cehlarik collided with Pittsburgh defenseman Matt Hunwick in the third period and hurt the leg. He had to hop off the ice at the Garden.
Coach Bruce Cassidy felt bad for the snake-bitten Slovakian, who had a goal and an assist in five games and helped to solidify a second line.
“He’s a real pro for a young kid. He’s in there working on his craft every day. He’s one of the first ones to the rink and always working on his game,” said Cassidy. “He finds some traction here and then has another injury. But part of the game is you’ve got to be resilient. It’s serious enough that he’s going to miss some time, but I don’t think it’s going to be anywhere near a season-ender, so he’ll get his chance hopefully down the road. But, yeah, I do feel for him. He’s a good young kid that deserves a break.”
In yesterday’s game, Cassidy at first tried Frank Vatrano in Cehlarik’s spot on the line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk, but also tried Noel Acciari and Riley Nash. Nash set up Krejci for the B’s second goal.
Playing it safe
Ryan Spooner, who missed five weeks with a groin tear, suffered what appears to be a slight re-aggravation of the injury and missed the game.
“I’m erring on the side of caution,” Cassidy said before facing the Oilers. “We’re off (today), he didn’t skate (Saturday). And Matt (Beleskey) is a bigger body as well, so it’s not a bad tradeoff against a bigger team.”
Beleskey returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch during the B’s four-game win streak. He wound up playing a game-low 6:09 with no shots on net. He played one shift in the third before Cassidy shortened his bench . . . .
Injured forwards Brad Marchand and Anders Bjork remained out of the lineup, but Cassidy is hopeful that Marchand, who’ll miss his eighth game of the B’s last 10, will be ready for Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Special occasion
Facing the Oilers was a extra special for DeBrusk. He grew up in Edmonton while his father Louie DeBrusk, now a Sportsnet analyst on Oiler broadcasts, played for the the team. Young Jake often took twirls around the old Rexall Place when he was growing up.
“There’s obviously that element to it,” Jake said. “I’ve had lots of places this year where there’s more at stake and I’m obviously focusing on the game, but for sure (it’s special). I’ve got all my friends back home watching.” ...
Asked if there was anyone Edmonton phenom Connor McDavid reminded him of, Cassidy — ever a child of the ’70s — did not hesitate.
“Gilbert Perreault,” said Cassidy of the former Buffalo Sabres’ French Connection great. “Flying through the neutral zone. He’s a bigger guy, he’s got a lot of that flair. He winds it up when he gets going. He’s a nice player to watch. I enjoying watching but I’m glad we only have to play him a couple of times a year.” ...
With his second-period tally, Oilers forward Patrick Maroon has seven goals in eight games against the B’s.