BOSTON – There isn’t much of a chance you’re going to see Chris Wagner play in any Stanley Cup Final games after injuring his right arm blocking a shot in the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Wagner was flown back to Boston after absorbing a Justin Faulk blast in his right arm during the third period of Game 3 and hasn’t been seen on the ice since, as Noel Acciari has jumped into his spot on the fourth line.
It’s simply tough luck for the Walpole, Mass., native that he’s missing out on a chance to play in the Cup Final for his hometown Bruins after a solid first season in Boston. But he doesn't sound the least bit regretful about getting injured by playing the right way and sacrificing his body to ensure a postseason victory.
"It’s been a little tough watching [my teammates] get ready and not being on the ice. It’s been really tough" admitted Wagner, who was asked if he’s had any second thoughts about stepping in front of that shot knowing what he now knows. "I just want to stay supportive. We’ve gotten this far, and it’s not about me. It’s about the team. We’ve had that attitude with anybody that’s been in and out of the lineup.
"I told my mom on Sunday that I was going to drop a Bible quote that Jesus said, 'There’s no greater love than laying down your life for a friend.' We’re all friends and we all love each other, so why wouldn’t I do that?”
Wagner scored his only two playoff goals of the postseason in the conference final sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes and was a spark-igniter for the B’s on the fourth line this season, with 12 goals and 19 points while playing a hard-hitting, hard-nosed style.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins could certainly use Wagner's game against a big, strong Blues bunch that’s going to be looking for an alley fight in the Stanley Cup Final, but they will do it in part for Wagner rather than having him as a contributor after he played the Gregory Campbell role for the B’s in this year’s run to the Stanley Cup Final.
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