Bruins Lose Ference for Game 2
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Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The NHL suspended Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference for Game 2 of their best-of-seven playoff series with the Toronto Maple Leafs, for what the Department of Player Safety ruled was an illegal check to the head to Mikhail Grabovski Wednesday night. The play occurred during the first period of the Bruins’ 4-1 Game 1 win. Ference and Grabovski were both chasing after a puck behind the Bruins’ net. When the two players reached the puck Ference lifted his left elbow, hitting Grabovski in the face.
Chief NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan ruled Ference was in control when he lunged towards Grabovski with his left shoulder and arm. Shanahan also noted that Ference made Grabovski’s head the principal point of contact.
During the game no penalty was issued on the play and Grabovski was not injured.
The Bruins haven’t said who will replace Ference in Game 2, but the team has options. Some of the more likely scenarios include calling up Matt Bartkowski from Providence, using 19-year-old Dougie Hamilton (healthy scratch last three games) or putting in veteran Aaron Johnson.
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