Thursday, May 07, 2009

Status of Wheeler and Ference unknown.

If Andrew Ference can't go tomorrow night game against the Carolina Hurricanes Ference will probably be replaced in the lineup by the Bruin’s 7th defenseman Shane “the sheriff” Hnidy. On the forward lines If Blake Wheeler can't go because of an his undisclosed injury; I am not sure it will hurt the Bruins as much as the loss of Andrew Ference. During the Stanley Cup playoffs Blake Wheeler has been almost invisible and a non-factor. It is almost like Wheeler has hit the wall, which can happen as an NHL rookie. Trade deadline acquisition Mark Recci has also been barely visible himself as Recci has only scored (1-1-2) in seven games.

In seven Stanley Cup playoff games Wheeler has (0-0-0) that is a big goose egg. If Wheeler can't go I would expect Byron Bitz to replace him who recorded an assist in the one game he played when Milan Lucic was suspended.
No update on Ference, Wheeler

Julien declined to disclose whether Andrew Ference or Blake Wheeler will be available tomorrow.

Ference looked like he aggravated a lower-body injury in the second period when he was checked into the boards by Scott Walker. Ference skated only three shifts in the second period and didn't play in the third period or overtime.

Wheeler was hurt while blocking a shot in the second period. Wheeler underwent X-rays after the game... Julien said the flu-like symptoms that held Chuck Kobasew out of practice on Tuesday have not spread throughout the dressing room...Last week, Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron were under the weather but didn't miss any time.
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3 comments:

  1. WCHAdominatesFri May 08, 10:07:00 AM 2009

    Wheeler is showing signs of his old self. I remember an eerily similar pattern when he played for the Gophers: he'd go on a pretty good point streak for about 4 or 5 games and then go completely silent for the same amount of time. Extremely inconsistent, and it was really all mental. I can specifically remember Don Lucia commenting about this several times and saying it simply a lack of focus. Once a loafer, always a loafer.

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  2. Eric J. BurtonFri May 08, 10:19:00 AM 2009

    The NHL is a tough league and Wheeler scored 20+ goals in the NHL this past season so I would say that he excelled. Rookies wear down sometimes.

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  3. WCHAdominatesFri May 08, 11:56:00 AM 2009

    True, valid point. However, the WCHA is also a tough league - in fact it's the toughest conference in any D-1 sport based upon success at a national level. Perhaps Carolina has done their scouting and is playing better defense against him and/or his line as well. The point is, he's loafing and he looks nearly exactly how he did the season before this past one when he played for Minnesota. Be there for 3 games, take 5 off. Be there for 4 games, take 4 off. You get the point. He's in one of his "off" stretches and it's all mental. Wake up!

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