Boyle cut near his throat

Before anyone gets all nutty about what appeared to be Lightning defenseman Dan Boyle giving up on the play leading up to Tomas Fleischmann's overtime goal in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Capitals, consider that Boyle was bleeding from a four- or five-inch cut to his throat after he was slashed by the skate blade of Washington's Mike Green.

As it turned out, it wasn't terribly serious. Boyle did not need stitches but his voice was gravely because of what he said was a bruise in his throat. Team spokesman Bill Wickett and the damage could have been worse had not the skate clipped Boyle's sternum, which protected him from more problems.

"It scared the (bleep) out of me,'' Boyle said later. "All I knew is at that moment I was sliced open.''

The play occurred at the end of Green's rink-long rush. As Green churned toward the net he was pushed by Tampa Bay's Shane O'Brien. Boyle, who was knocked down by Washington's Brooks Laich, slid into Green just as Green's left leg elbowed up, exposing his skate blade.

Boyle said he likely will say a little prayer of thanks. But as he said, "What a miserable year. What more can happen?''

You know the details. Boyle missed 45 games because of two surgeries on his left wrist after a skate fell out of his locker after a preseason game against the Capitals, and on Wednesday he had to leave practice when he was kicked in the head by the skate of heels-over-head teammate Andreas Karlsson. And considering the Richard Zednik situation, well, the whole thing could have been much worse.

"I was pretty sacred for my life, really,'' Boyle said.

FYI: If you saw coach John Tortorella going bonkers on the bench after the Capitals goal that tied the score 3-3 with 4:48 left in the third period, it was because he, and the Lightning players, did not believe Green gave as much effort as he should have to touch the puck on the icing that brought the puck back to the Lightning zone for a faceoff that led to Alexander Semin's goal.

Capitals Bruce Bourdreau disputed that notion.

"He played 30 minutes,'' Boudreau said. "He was tired. He went back as hard as he could. He was on the ice for 2 1/2 minutes.''

We can forgive Boudreau for sticking up for his player. But the fact is, Green played only 23:53 in the game and the shift that led to that icing was only 43 seconds.

Comments

[ShatStick]

Pitty?? Are you f'n kidding me??

I've had to wear a neck-guard since I was 7 years-old to play hockey, and I refuse to feel sorry for these ignorant s-bags who don't wear one. I still wear one and I'm 29. You play a sport where a razor is always THIS close to your neck.....it's a DUH situation. Man up and wear one, or drown in your own blood...it's your choice douche-bag.

[kb]

the whole year the lightning have had one huge problem the d. im sorry boyle is not the answer we need to sign a big star d-men or trade for one and kick boyle to the road

[meliware]

Anyone else wanna see Smaby fight last night?? I thought for sure he was going to get into it!!

[leo]

Oh dear, Mod, I hope you don't think that for real.
You must be new, right? Leo RELISHES when people disagree with him; ask around.
As for what you were REALLY talking about, well, I'm not a mind-reader, am I?
For what it's worth, I think you brought up an excellent point. Whether I agree with it or not does not diminish its excellence, Mod.
Boyle might be overlooked but he is certainly not under-appreciated. Not by Tampa fans, anyway.
Don't worry about my feathers, mate. They've been sullied and plucked to the extent that I need a ladder to get back to the nest.
If you're astute and civil?
Hit me all you want; I can take it.
BBR

[The Mod]

Sorry to ruffle a feather, Leo. Forgot who the law was around here... I'll keep all opinions to myself and leave the floor to you.

P.S. Wasn't talking about MY house; was tacking that one on for effect. Could've used the "always overlooked and underappreciated by the whole NHL" one instead. I'll do better next time. Oh wait, no I won't...

[leo]

Who's talkin' about knowing your life?
Merely put into perspective a situation by using an example you yourself put down.
I don't recall you mentioning the word "constantly". Only "every time I turn around". How long is that?
Am I missing something?
It's easy to expotulate on the reasons why Boyle is a whiner after a near-traumatic event. That doesn't make it so; I'm sure you agree.
Furthermore, since your experience outweighs his by a long-shot and that you yourself got by, well...? Do you not see my point?
No?
Then, sorry if I offended you, mate.
You're right; Boyle is big baby. Might be a good idea if you don't say that to his face, though. I'm sure he would disagree vehemently.
BBR

[The Mod]

Leo, first of all, you don't know my life so please, spare me. Second, I'm talking about constant self-pity. It's not good for you.

[Hockey Chic]

Man and you guys say I am tough. I agree with everyone that DFB needs to visit New Orleans and get some of that Good Mojo stuff not the bad he seems to have on or around his shoulders.

I was glad to see the bolts come back but yet agian we could not get it done. Herb, Leo and Ajax I agree with all yuo guys Torts needs to ride the bus to the USA team and get the hell away from the Bolts. Go pick on that team . Somehow I hope they are a bunch of snot headed kids cause that is what it seems he coaches best.

Torts and Feaster both need to understand that this group of guys is not a bunch of young men that you need to kick around. Wheres the respect. Torts needs to earn it as well. And Koharsky still sucks. I thought he was going to need an escort out of the building.

How can we review the crappy calls they make all the time. We need to have the controls like they have in millionaire and allow the fans to vote eh? a.b.or c ask the audience. Lol

Glad the season is rolling to an end I am exhausted...

Go Bolts..

[leo]

That was 4 yrs ago, Mod. You got over it. This happened to Boyle, LAST NIGHT, with visions of Zednick still fresh in his mind. Cut'im some slack. (No pun intended.)
If he's still crying in 4 yrs? Ok, then he's a baby.
Were you cool as ice watching your home burn down?
BBR

[The Mod]

I know this will sound insensitive but is it just me or does Dan Boyle sound more whiney and self-pitying every time I turn around or what? Yes, it was a scary thing but could you SOUND anymore like a little baby? Whoa-is-me, blah-blah-blah! MY life is so much harder than everyone else’s! *snifle-snifle* Did I mention recently that my house almost burned down 4 years ago? Makes me want to gag...

[Patrick Sherren]

We need to wrap Boyle in bubble wrap for the rest of the season. The injury pendulum has certainly swung in our direction as a hard sneeze seems to be enought to knock out half our team.

[Herb]

Finally! Some other people have seen what I have been saying almost ALL SEASON LONG that OB is a complete joke. He needs to find employment elsewhere. He has the toughness as a D-man that ex #19 has as a center. Don't get me wrong, OB will step up to fight when a teammate like Vinny and Marty get hit by a cheap shot, but for him playing a tough D-man by position, he is a cream puff and very soft. Picard is a STUD on the other hand. Next season I will put his name and number on my replica jersey. Picard is my favorite Bolt.

[Spectre]

Detention after school for Mr. Tortorella and Mr. Roy; LMAO! GP had the greatest comparison of the season: O’Brien’s feet and Denis’ glove hand. Fanf####ntastic! Beats the heck out of Brad Richards’ ferocity and Tortorella’s decorum…
I feel sorry most for Ramo, who has to withstand criticism playing behind the mis-regarded Boyle AND O’Brien.
Secondly, I feel sorry for this team’s players. Tortorella has alienated this club and their efforts in the eyes of every zebra-shirt out there, including the video-snobs in Tontoronto. Our usually placid Bay waters have huge swells since Tortorella’s ego swelled.
Finally, kudos and salutations to the SPT staff for writing and proof reading. Bloggers aren’t professionals so we can get by, misusing the word gravely. Was Danny’s voice ‘grave’ or glum sounding or was it gravelly from a hoarseness to describe a rasp akin to traversing across gravel?

From similar misrepresentations (or non-reporting) we bloggers attack each other? Ludicrous.

[Lisa]

As much as I love to watch the Bolts, I would really like to see this season finish with no more injuries to our players. It has been a horrible year, lets hope our guys come back next year wanting to avenge this horrible season, and that our luck turns with all the crazy things that have been happening this season.

Hopefully Boyle has had his string of bad luck comes in 3s taken care of, and his luck can turn, again.

[Another Joe]

Picard stood a few people up last night. I like that guy!!

[JoeG]

Could not agree more GP.OB does not belong on the ice.Stand the guys up at the blue line!Geez!Doesnt the coaching staff say any thing to these younger guys?I feel sorry for Boyle,not only for the freakish things that are happening to him,but having to play on the same line as OB.

[Tony]

DB - LMAO - that was funny right there- I don't care who you are!

[GP]

Feel bad for Dan. He seems to have p'issd off the wrong voodoo chick or something.

Is anyone else as tired as me of seeing anyone with an once of speed skate right by OB on the outside like he is standing still? It happens a few times a game. I was watching the game tonight and realized this is probably why he does not hit unless he is against the boards. His foot speed is about as slow as Denis' glove hand. His lines and reads are terrible. He could not open ice hit if he tried .... hence that is why he doesn't. Someone needs to teach the guy how to hip check or move more towards the boards and force the opposing teams forwards to the middle where Picard can end him. I have an idea ...... enact the NHL lemon law and demand a 1st round pick back from the Ducks!

[DB]

Sounds like Dan Boyle should take off the rest of the season. He needs time to reflect and find inner peace and harmony.
As far as Tortorella going bonkers, I think he lost control and he should be sent home and not coach the rest of the year until he can learn to control his emotions. Maybe Andre can help him out.