BOSTON — Bruins coach Claude Julien believes Alexander Burmistrov’s illegal hit on Patrice Bergeron should result in more than just a two-minute penalty.
“It will be interesting how that is being reviewed,” Julien said after his team lost 6-2 to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night. “Especially to an elite player in the league who’s had some (concussion) issues in the past. I hope they look at it seriously, and in my mind, I don’t see why there wouldn’t be further consequences to that.”
Burmistrov dropped Bergeron with a high elbow late in the first period of Boston’s season-opening loss. The Jets center was whistled for an illegal check to the head, and Bergeron and Winnipeg winger Adam Lowry each were given two minutes for roughing in the scrum that ensued.
Bergeron was not injured on the play and went on to log 15:47 of ice time.
“It was definitely a hit to the head,” the veteran center said, “even though he apologized afterward. It’s one of those (where) I didn’t have the puck at that time, and yeah, you’ve kind of got to realize where the guy is and his position.”
After a strong first period, the Bruins allowed three goals in each of the final two frames. Bergeron said his team must focus on both replicating the positives and remedying the negatives from the loss as it prepares for Saturday night’s matchup with the Montreal Canadiens.
“We’ve got to take what’s good, but also what’s bad and make sure we fix it,” Bergeron said. “We can’t just sit here and say that we generated some good chances and whatnot. We’ve got to find some results. We’ve got to keep harping on that (Friday at practice) and then be better on Saturday.”
Thumbnail photo via James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports Images
