I took some time to cool off

because I knew if I blogged last night, it would have been a cuss filled rant against the goons from Boston for almost killing Pacioretty.

With about 15 seconds to go in the second and the game already pretty much out of reach (4-0) Max cleared the puck out of the zone and was skating around Chara who didn't just rub him into the boards but from photos appeared to have shoved him head first into the stanchion between the benches.  Max's head snapped back, he was knocked out and appeared dead on the ice.  Chara received a five minute interference penalty (didn't know you could get such a penalty) while Max was wheeled off the ice on a stretcher.  Max has been diagnosed with a fracture of his C4 vertebrae and a severe concussion.  He is out for the rest of the season.

It is sad for him as he was really coming on and had 14 goals so far this year despite being called up in December.

There is history between the two players dating back to the January 8 game when we came from behind with under 3 minutes to go to win in overtime on a Pacioretty goal.  In retaliation for an earlier slash, Pacioretty pushed Chara after the winning goal which led to a brouhaha.  In the game in Boston, Chara threw a series of punches at Pacioretty when he had a chance.  Last night, he really got him.

Chara says it wasn't intentional and we can never prove intent but look closely, he certainly pushed him hard into the divider and given his size, a push from him is never light.

I did not react the way some hab fans did in that I did not say it was attempted murder, call for a lifetime ban etc but I did hope for a suspension given it was a dangerous play that put a player's head in danger.  However, I did not expect much given Jeremy Jacobs the Bruins owner is a big wig on the NHL board of directors and the head of discipline's son is Gregory Campbell, a Bruin.  Now, yes I know Mike Murphy made the decision but come on, he knows who he works for and as a result the no suspension or fine ruling cannot surprise anyone.

Dauterive and his Bruins get to go on their merry goon ways (apparently cementhead Shawn Thornton was seen laughing on the bench as Max was lying on the ice -allegedly) while we lose another key player for the rest of the year.

We can only hope Max returns and goes on to have a great career.