Bruins Thornton Gets 40 Stitches

March 30, 2011 10:04 AM

Bruins forward Shawn Thornton shows off his 40+ stitches after taking a skate to the head. (CBS)

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Shawn Thornton: Protector Of The Bruins

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BOSTON (CBS) – Bruins forward Shawn Thornton received over 40 stitches on his forehead after taking a skate to the head in Tuesday night’s win against the Blackhawks.

“I’m fine,” Thornton said after the Bruins 3-0 win. “I guess I was lucky. It could have been worse. It could have been on the eye. No headache, no concussion, no nothing. It was just throbbing a little bit from getting stitches, but nothing bad.”

Shawn Thornton Talks About His 40 Stitches

Thornton was chasing down the puck in Chicago’s zone when he fell to the ice, only to take the skate of Fernando Pisani right above his right eye. Thornton called the injury an accident, and considers himself lucky.

“I know how lucky I am, it could have been a little lower and I could have been in a lot of trouble.”

As Thornton skated passed the Chicago bench, blood dripping from the wound, an unknown Blackhawk player had some choice words for the Bruins enforcer. Thornton, cut and all, attempted to go after them only to be held back.

Read: Thornton and Sports Hub Team Up For “Cuts For A Cause”

“Something was said,” Thornton told the large gathering of media that was impressed with his “J” shaped wound. “Obviously I can’t swear talking to you guys. There was some stuff said that I’m not very happy about and if I ever find out who it was, I’ll deal with it in my own way.”

Referee Don Van Massenhoven, who assisted Thornton off the ice, also heard the exchange and took exception.

“He heard it and he was pissed too, but he didn’t know who it was either,” Thornton said. “He actually yelled at their bench and I appreciated it. There are guys on our team that chirp a lot and stuff but I don’t know if it’s right when somebody’s face is half way across the other side of their face.”

“It’s a tough game, people have to live with their actions,” Thornton added. “And like I said if you find out who it was don’t be afraid to send me a Christmas card.”

Thornton did not return to the game but hopes to play Thursday night when the Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday or Thursday, and will most likely have to wear a visor until the wound heals.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/03/30/recchi-moves-up-on-points-list-will-retire-if-bruins-win-cup/ Recchi Moves Up On Points List, Will Retire If Bruins Win Stanley CupCBS Boston

[...] Read: Shawn Thornton’s 40 Stitches [...]
Jeff Kingston

Does anyone remember Red Shettler, He was a referee/linesman in the late 60′s early 70′s. I saw him fall and some skated right over his face….scary, scary
emom

I have seen some scary skating accidents, legs hands, arms, but the face wow that is real scary.. Thank god he is ok a fraction of an inch the wrong way ,,,glad he is good.
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[...] Bruins forward received 40+ stitches over his right eye Tuesday night after taking the blade of Blackhawks Fernando Pisani’s skate to the forehead. [...]
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[...] received over 40 stitches above his right eye last week after being hit by the skate of the Chicago Blackhawks Fernando [...]
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[...] very anxious to get back into a game,” Thornton said at practice on Tuesday, one week after receiving over 40 stitches above his right eye. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, obviously it’s the [...]
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[...] week after taking a skate to the face and receiving over 40 stitches above his right eye, Thornton is expected to return Wednesday night when the B’s host the New York Islanders, [...]