Cam Neely On Felger & Mazz: Fans Can Respond To Boychuk's Return As They See Fit
On a crystal clear land line, Bruins president Cam Neely joined Michael Felger and Tony Massarotti on Thursday for his weekly chat.
The Bruins have played better recently, but Felger went back a bit to ask Neely about the game in Montreal, which saw the Bruins lose 6-4 and Milan Lucic lose his cool.
"I thought we played pretty well for the bulk of the game, and then we just got sloppy and let them take it back away from us," Neely said. "As far as Milan goes, he obviously wasn't happy with the call. We're trying to tie the game up there and he wasn't happy with the call late in the game. He got a little carried away once he got into the box."
Doesn't it seem as though the Bruins always get carried away when facing the Canadiens?
"Listen, bottom line, we have to be much smarter and more controlled when we play against Montreal," Neely said. "We know they can be an aggravating team, they're a good team, they do frustrate us, but we just have to be smarter. We have to do a better job of keeping our emotions in control."
Felger and Mazz suggested the use of a sports psychologist to help control those emotions. Neely said such services are available, but ultimately it comes down to better focus.
"At the end of the day, they've got to do it themselves as individuals and as a team, and I know that there's a number of discussions any time that we feel like it's gone off the rails and then leading up to those games. Maybe it's been talked about too much. It's just a matter of going out and just playing a controlled hockey game," Neely said.
With Johnny Boychuk back in Boston, Neely said the team will play a video montage to acknowledge the defenseman's time in Boston. Felger asked Neely if there was any concern that because fans love Boychuk so much, the crowd at the TD Garden could turn the Boychuk ovation into some sort of stand against the front office.
"Listen, we know how they feel. And they have a right to feel the way they do. That's their right as fans," Neely said. "I think internally we want to acknowledge Johnny and fans can respond how they feel appropriate."
Listen to the full discussion with Neely below:
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