Boston Bruins’ right wing Nathan Horton played with a dislocated shoulder throughout the series –NHL Updates
In a series of revelations made by Boston Bruins after winning the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals against Vancouver Canucks, Nathan Horton has also been announced as having played through the playoffs with a dislocated shoulder but his struggle was cut short after
facing a severe concussion in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals’ series against Vancouver Canucks.
The well know hit by Aaron Rome on Nathan Horton at point blank range sent him to the hospital and out for the remainder of the series.
Rome was suspended by the National Hockey League’s in-charge of discipline for the finals and also missed the remaining four games.
No matter how bad the injury was before the concussion, Horton still gave it all he had.
"Before his concussion he was actually hurt", Boston Bruins’ general manager, Peter Chiarelli, said about Horton’s condition. "He had a serious separated shoulder. He was hurt significantly".
Horton sustained the shoulder injury in a crucial Game 7 against Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Finals.
It was Horton who scored the only goal of the match which sent Bruins to its first Stanley Cup Finals in over 20 years.
"Most hockey players, not all of them, but most if you get hurt in the playoffs you just play through it", Horton said. "Obviously it doesn't feel good, but you just play through it. That's it".
Boston’s head coach, Claude Julien, gave the 26-year-old right winger time off from the team practices to give the shoulder time to heal but it was Horton’s determination to continue playing in those crucial games that made him stay on ice.
Nathan Horton played in all the playoff games before missing the final four. He scored 17 points throughout the postseason, including eight goals and nine assists.
The severe concussion he incurred in Game 3 against Canucks was a do or die situation for Bruins, that lost one of its toughest players. It turned out to be the worst since he was not coming back, but Boston still managed to win.
"I'm fine, I don't have any headaches right now", Horton said. "I'm kind of just relaxing. I don't have any symptoms and I've been that way for a few days now".
Horton has the offseason to rest and catch-up with his health to get better for the upcoming regular season with Boston Bruins as the defenders of the Stanley Cup.
Tags: