Bruins Interim Coach Explains Challenging Jake DeBrusk’s Goal

The Bruins lost a hard-fought matchup against the Canucks, but there was a minor controversy surrounding a former Boston forward.

Jake DeBrusk potted what ended up being a crucial goal Wednesday night. The Black and Gold couldn’t get past Kevin Lankinen despite 32 shots on goal. Vancouver scored an empty-net goal in the final seconds to secure a 2-0 win at TD Garden. However, there might have been more going on during DeBrusk’s goal.

Jeremy Swayman immediately called for the goal to be wiped off as Conor Garland put a high stick on the puck before it bounced for a clean opportunity for DeBrusk. Interim head coach Joe Sacco challenged the call after a lengthy delay believing Garland pushed the puck to DeBrusk on a hand pass. The goal stood after review.

“I was confident,” Sacco told reporters, per The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont. “If not, I wouldn’t have challenged.”

Boston’s confidence didn’t waver despite Sacco’s first loss as interim head coach. The B’s were proud of their defensive game and were hopeful that the chances created would result in goals.

The Bruins will have a chance to rebound on Wednesday when they travel to New York to face the Islanders.