Frank Vatrano - Hitting Stride With Bruins?

Frank Vatrano

Hitting Stride With Bruins? 

Frank Vatrano was looking good and all set for his first full year with the Boston Bruins. He was in great shape.  Yet the East Longmeadow, MA native had a major set back in pre-season practice with torn ligaments in his left foot that required surgery. He came back earlier than expected and played 2 games with the AHL Providence Bruins Team, scored a goal in each game, and that was certainly a positive sign.

Yet NESN Bruin's Announcers, Billy Jafee and Andy Brickley, both warned that after missing pre-season and early games it wasn't going to be easy for Frank. You can be fully recovered and in shape, but being in "game shape" and having your legs ready is a different story and that happens only after actually playing in NHL games. They proved to be right.

The Boston Bruins were lingering around 3rd place in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, but it was evident that they needed the type of scoring punch that Vatrano can bring. In his first game against the Florida Panthers on December 12 he didn't disappoint. He scored a goal in his first game with his patented quick release thunder shot from the front right side of the net. It ended up being a good 3-1 win for the Bruins. It was pretty amazing for him to do that in his first game and also be part of a win.

Yet in the first 3 games you could see the progression of game shape and experience that Jafee and Brickely talked about. Vatrano's movements out there on the ice began to become quicker / faster and more instinctive, but it took actual game playing to accomplish this. The Bruins lost the next 2 very close games...2-3 OT loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, and a 4-3 loss to a very good Columbus Blue Jacket Team that had won 12 games in a row. The Bruins came back after being down 0-3 in the first period, an exciting game to watch.

Last night Vatrano seemed to be fully back and hitting stride. He had 2 assists in a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, but it was more than the assists. He appeared to very active around the net, as well as on the open ice..very involved in the play and contributing.

Let's see....4 games...a goal and 2 assists, for 3 points and a +2 rating. Not bad! We are talking about the NHL here!

Go Frank !

Alfredo DiLascia

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