The Bruins spent most of Friday night being incensed at Capitals forward Tom Wilson after he sent defenseman Brandon Carlo out of the game and ultimately to the hospital with a high hit.
They thought Wilson took a cheap shot at Carlo, whose head hit the end-boards glass. No penalty was called.
“Clearly it looked like to me he got him right in the head,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said, per NESN.com. “Defenseless player. Predatory hit from a player that’s done that before, so I don’t understand why there wasn’t a penalty called on the ice.” Cassidy told reporters that Carlo was taken by ambulance to a Boston hospital.
Bruins forward Brad Marchand called it a “bulls— hit and a “f—ing cheap shot” on live TV.
Boston captain Patrice Bergeron gave Wilson a piece of his mind during the game.
So did another player who was overheard in the cavernous TD Garden chirping Wilson.
Someone on the Bruins bench to Wilson:
“You’re a f***ing scumbag.”
“F***ing headshot.”
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) March 6, 2021
MORE: Tom Wilson suspension timeline
Naturally, fists were part of the response as well. Jarred Tinordi, in his second game with the Bruins, and Trent Frederic dropped the gloves with him.
And, for the capper, the Bruins delivered the ultimate reply by winning 5-1.
If you want to do some calendar-circling, the East Division teams are scheduled to meet four more times this season. Their next matchup is April 8 in Washington.
