Horton Travels With Bruins To Vancouver
BOSTON (CBS) – All of the Boston Bruins are out in Vancouver for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday night.
That includes the injured Nathan Horton.
"It means a lot," said Patrice Bergeron. "He's a big part of our team. His presence, just him being here is special to us and we're happy to have him with us."
Horton flew out with the team on Tuesday, his first trip out West since suffering a severe concussion in Game 3 of the series. He made appearances at both Games 4 and 6 in Boston, presenting the "player of the game" jacket after the Bruins 4-0 Game 4 win, and getting a rousing ovation from the Garden crowd during Monday night's Game 6.
Horton has said he is feeling better and even hinted a few times to Claude Julien he wanted to play, but the coach would have none of it. After attending Game 6 on Monday Horton thought there was a chance he could play in Game 7, but got a headache after returning home from the Garden.
"He's smart enough to realize that it's not reality," said Julien Wednesday morning from Vancouver. "He wants to play, but hasn't been pushing it. He has a concussion and there is no way in the world he's going to playing tonight. That's a given."
"But to have him here tonight, that's second best of what we could do with Nathan," said Julien. "He wants to help rally this team to victory."
Claude Julien On Nathan Horton
At least now Horton is with the team, as they get ready for a chance to clinch the Cup on Wednesday night.
"I was very happy to see him, and I'm very happy to have him around," said Tim Thomas on Tuesday. "I just spent some time talking to him in the locker room. He's a positive guy. His joy for the game and life is kind of like a little kid, and that's a great thing, and I personally feed off of that."
B's On Nathan Horton Traveling
The Bruins have rallied around their fallen teammate, making sure he is still a part of the team as they made their march in the Finals. The B's made a point to have all of Horton's equipment in his locker Tuesday in Vancouver.
"He's always got so much energy. He was himself again, it was nice to see," said David Krejci. "It's good to have him here, to feel the support from him. He wants to be as close to us as possible. Once we step on the ice tomorrow, we also want to do it for him."
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"It was great to see him. He's a really fun guy to be around, always positive. Just to see him smiling on the bus there, bringing everyone up," said Rich Peverley, who took Horton's spot on the Bruins first line.
Read/Discuss: No Game 7 Viewing Party At Garden
"He looked a little emotional, but I think everyone was a little emotional to see him," Peverley added. "You want to make sure he's healthy and safe, and all our thoughts are with him."
Horton has said he is feeling better and has been asking Coach Claude Julien to play in the series, but the coach would have none of it. After attending Game 6 on Monday Horton thought there was a chance he could play in Game 7, but got a headache after returning home from the Garden.
98.5 The Sports Hub is the only local station to listen to every game of the Stanley Cup Finals. Coverage begins an hour before each game with the Bruins Pregame show hosted by Dave Goucher & Bob Beers. Game 7 will also be simulcast on WBZ NewsRadio 1030 am.
