Defenseman Mike Weber is expected back on the blue line Thursday against San Jose after committing an egregious gaffe late in Tuesday’s game that allowed Boston to tie the score and eventually win in overtime. He’s on the ice because Ruff can empathize with the 22-year-old.
"I told the other coaches I still remember I did it myself as a player," Ruff said today. "I did it in Winnipeg, and I’ll never forget it. I was a young player, and I passed it right on Dale Hawerchuk’s tape, almost an identical play. The only difference was I didn’t play the rest of the game. Scotty [Bowman] was coaching," Ruff added with a grin.
"Every defenseman, I think, is going to do it sooner or later. He picked a tough time. I thought at the same time his desperation making the [shot] block late in the game helped preserve. He’s play hard, and he’s played good. He’s going to make mistakes. Everybody’s making mistakes out there. We’re just trying to get his confidence up to a level where he can be a positive influence for us."
---John Vogl
