BOSTON — Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk has most likely avoided suspension for his elbowing penalty and game misconduct Saturday.
Boychuk was hurled from the game in the the third period of the Bruins' 5-0 win over Calgary on Saturday after coming in high on a hit to the head of Flames forward Rene Bourque. If a player is to be suspended, he and the team would usually hear from the league offices within 48 hours. So as head coach Claude Julien pointed out on Monday, Boychuk is most likely in the clear.
"To me, I didn’t think it was as serious as the call was made," said Julien. "His stick was up, but it was his arm that hit [Bourque], and the referees made the decision that they thought they had to. We all are a little sensitive with the head shots right now, but the league obviously reviewed it and I’m sure we would have heard about it by now. I think it’s time to turn the page on that. He’s cleared to play and we’re going to move on."
Following the game Saturday, Boychuk was surprised he was even given the major and tossed from the game.
"I just went to finish my check and I saw a couple of sticks in the air," the rookie rear guard said after the game. "I thought I got my glove in his face, not an elbow. I don’t think I should suspended, but we’ll see what they have to say."
Bourque was hurt on the play and needed to be attended to by the trainer, but he was able to continue playing.
