In a preseason game, Rasmus Ristolainen’s hit on Matt Poitras resulted in an injury that kept Poitras out of the game. During a regular-season game, Joel Farabee’s hit on Poitras appeared to knock the wind out of him, adding to the Flyers’ targeting of the young Bruins forward. Poitras retaliated by starting a fight with Emil Andrae, resulting in a series of skirmishes on the ice. Despite his lack of fighting experience in the NHL, Poitras was assessed a roughing penalty along with Andrae during the altercation.
The Bruins ultimately lost the game 2-0 at TD Garden, with Poitras returning to the ice after initially leaving due to the hit by Farabee. Poitras had missed the first two games of the season due to the injury sustained from Ristolainen’s hit. The Flyers’ aggressive tactics towards the young forward, including hits away from the play, seemed to be an attempt to rattle him early in the game.
The game highlighted the physical nature of hockey and the willingness of players like Poitras to stand up for themselves on the ice. The intensity of the matchup between the Bruins and Flyers added to the excitement for fans watching the game. Despite the loss for the Bruins, Poitras’ resilience and determination to return to the ice after being targeted by the Flyers showed his commitment to the game and his team.
Source
Photo credit www.masslive.com