WILMINGTON, Mass. — While the rest of the Bruins practiced on Monday morning, Johnny Boychuk could only watch. It's a position the Bruins defenseman will have to get used to, as he'll be sidelined for the next four weeks with a fractured ulna in his left forearm.
"It sucks, but that's the way it has to be," said Boychuk during practice Monday at Ristuccia Arena.
Boychuk suffered the injury early in the first period of Saturday's 3-2 loss to New York when Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky slashed him 5:34 in. Amazingly, Boychuk finished the period before the fracture was discovered, ending his night.
"I was going down the wall and I got slashed on the wrist," said Boychuk. "I went back to the bench as soon as it happened because, well it hurt pretty bad. I came back and had to put some tape on the wrist to finish the period. I just tried to suck it up. I thought it was just a bruise or something like that."
Bruins coach Claude Julien was impressed with Boychuk's effort to play through the pain, and even felt a little guilty that he drew up a play calling for a Boychuk slap shot off a draw late in the first.
"He finished the period," said Julien. "I didn't hear a peep or a complaint from him."
Boychuk wanted to finish the game, but that wasn't an option once the severity of the injury was discovered. Now he'll work to get back as quickly as possible.
"I was upset," said Boychuk. "I still wanted to go out there and play, but obviously I couldn't.
"You've just got to stay positive and stay in shape, then when you're ready to play again you're actually ready and not out of shape," added Boychuk.
Boychuk had a splint on his arm Monday morning but was scheduled to get cast on it later Monday.
"He's a pretty tough individual," said Julien. "He's been through a lot and he's one of those players that bounces back pretty quickly. If there's a chance that somebody can come back earlier, he'd probably be one of those candidates."
Julien would love to see Boychuk return before the four-week prognosis but knows he can't count on having a key member of his defense for at least a month or so.
"It's a loss, there's no doubt," said Julien. "He's been playing pretty good hockey for us and been pretty consistent since last year."
The always-jovial Boychuk at least kept his sense of humor intact. He joked that getting hurt wasn't the scariest thing he endured this weekend. That distinction went to a trip to the movies. So what finally got to the big, bad Bruins' blueliner?
"Paranormal Activity," said Boychuk. "It was sooo scary."
That's at least one mistake Boychuk's replacement won't make. Adam McQuaid bumped into Boychuk at the theater but was coming out of the somewhat less frightening Jackass 3D.
"I'm not big on the scary movies," said McQuaid. "I don't even put myself through it."
