Chris Wagner has no regrets about blocking shot that ended his season
May 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Chris Wagner (14) goes around Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) during the second period in game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Bruins winger Chris Wagner’s season is over.
The Bruins won’t officially rule the Walpole, Mass. native out of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final against the Blues, but it’s pretty obvious that you won’t see Wagner back in action this season. (They’re basically doing the same thing with defenseman Kevan Miller, who suffered a lower-body injury in the final week of the regular season.)
For Wagner, the absence comes as a result of a Justin Faulk shot the gritty forward threw himself in front of late in the third period of the Black and Gold’s Game 3 victory over the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.
“It didn’t feel good,” Wagner admitted when asked about the block at Stanley Cup Media Day on Sunday. “You can tell if you watch my reaction. I probably kind of blacked out a little bit. It hurt.”
There was no doubt as to the impact the blocked shot had on Wagner. The 28-year-old immediately grabbed at his right arm and was escorted down to the PNC Arena dressing room with the help of B’s trainer Donny Del Negro. Wagner was seen with his arm in a sling after the game, traveled back to Boston ahead of Game 4, multiple sources indicated to 98.5 The Sports Hub that there was a ‘break’ on the injury, effectively ending Wagner’s first season with his hometown team.
“I mean, it’s been really tough, but you just want to stay supportive,” Wagner said of watching from the sidelines. “We’ve gotten this far. It’s not about me. It’s about the team. We’ve had that attitude for whoever has gone in and out of the lineup.’’
But Wagner had no regrets about his decision to block the shot.
“It’s Sunday, so I told my mom I was going to drop a Bible quote,’’ Wagner said. “Jesus said that there’s no greater love than laying down your life for your friend. We’re all friends and we all love each other, so why would I not?’’
Now, the Bruins will try to make good on Wagner’s sacrifice by capturing the 2019 Stanley Cup.
