Mark Kastelic Reacts To Bruins’ Fighting Response Vs. Lightning

The Boston Bruins on Tuesday weren’t going to let Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Lileberg leave the ice without answering for what he did to Mark Kastelic last week.

Lileberg caught Kastelic with a cross-check to the face in the final seconds of Tampa Bay’s win at Amalie Arena. The two then immediately dropped the gloves and Kastelic hit his head on the ice during the fight, leading the Bruins forward to land in concussion protocol.

Lileberg received a game misconduct, but that wasn’t enough of a reprimand in the eyes of the Bruins, who felt the play from Lileberg was “pretty cheap.”

The Bruins issued their own punishment on home ice, targeting Lileberg every chance they got. Trent Frederic landed several punches on Lileberg as well when they tangled in the second period of Boston’s decisive 6-2 victory. Boston’s fighting response certainly uplifted Kastelic, who sat out his second straight game.

“It was really special. That’s the kind of guys we have in here, how tight we are,” Kastelic told reporters following practice Wednesday, per team-provided video. “I commend them a lot for stepping up and having my back out there. I feel like I try to have their backs as best I can and when they show some fight and stick up for me like that, it means a lot. I love those guys.

“I’m watching that, it just makes me happy. Happy to know that I’m here for a couple more years and to be with this group, it’s really special.”

Kastelic is making progress in his return to the ice. He donned a non-contact jersey during Wednesday’s practice session. The veteran forward, who has four goals and eight assists on the season, didn’t put a timeline on his return, but he didn’t feel he would be sidelined for much longer.

“Taking it one day at a time, but I feel really good,” Kastelic said. “Everyone’s a little different in their own way. Been through the protocol a couple times. It’s there for a reason, trying to stay positive and take it one day at a time.”

Kastelic added: “It’s just not rushing anything, just listening to my body. I feel like I’ve done a good job with that so far. I have a lot of supportive people around me since the moment it happened and just checking in on me lots. And amazing staff in there as well to help me get back to 100% as quick as possible. Just trying not to rush anything. I feel good and looking forward to being out there soon.”