Savy Returns, Lifts B’s to OT Win
Savy Celebrates
The Bruins opened their Eastern Conference Semifinal series with a thrilling 5-4 win in overtime against Phildadelphia. The winner was scored by center Marc Savard, who had missed 18 games due to a blindside hit to the head by Pittsburgh Penguins numbskull Matt Cooke. The hit left Savard with a grade 2 concussion, and for 6 weeks it was an effort for him to even leave the house. He held a press conference to discuss his condition, and during the Q & A session Savard looked pale and drained.
There were rumours about Savard’s return all through the Bruins’ 6 game series against Buffalo, but today’s game was his first game action in over 2 months. He played sparingly, only about 3 minutes in each of the first 3 periods. With just over 7 minutes left of the first overtime period, Dennis Wideman jumped in to recover a loose puck and threw it to Savard at the right faceoff dot. The puck bounced twice before he rifled it high right side on Brian Boucher. Said Savard, “I was just thinking as soon as this thing lands, I’m shooting it.’ I thought why not get a shot here and it (the puck) just landed perfectly. I just clipped it perfect.”
It was good to see Savy back on the ice and contributing. He loves playing in Boston and was clearly moved at the ovation he received during his first shift. “To be honest, when I got out there, there was a little water in my eyes. It was such a nice ovation. I’ve loved playing here and that’s why I wanted to stay here. The crowd has treated me great.” Savard is more than just the Bruin’s most vital lynchpin on offense, he’s a class act and engaging with the fans which makes an injury like his, and the subsequent absence of sanctions against Matt Cooke, seem all the more cruel. The last time we saw Marc Savard on the ice, he was flat on his back, surrounded by hushed and worried teammates. On Saturday, we say him leaping against the glass before being swarmed by the entire Bruins bench in celebration of a game-winning goal and a 1-0 series lead on home ice. For Bruins fans, it was extra sweet to see Savy surrounded for a different reason.
A Serious Thinking Problem 