SUNRISE, Fla. — The Panthers continued to get under the Bruins’ skin and over them on the scoreboard.
Early in the Bruins’ 6-4 loss to open the season on Tuesday, Trent Frederic said Matthew Tkachuck invited him to fight. The Bruins forward was eager to engage but said the Panthers pest didn’t follow through. Instead, Frederic was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“He actually asked me (to fight) and then he didn’t. I didn’t know people did that. I think that’s a little disrespectful to the game,” Frederic said. “I don’t if I can quote him, but he said ‘Let’s go.’ I guess he wasn’t talking about fighting.”
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Frederic admitted that the Bruins might have been too emotional against the team that ended their season in the playoffs last year.
“My mind was probably not in the greatest place for a first-game hockey game,” he said. “We’ll get them next week or so.”
Nikita Zadorov agreed.
“Maybe there was a little too much emotion and less focus on hockey,” he said.
The Bruins took eight penalties in the game with newcomers Max Jones and Zadorov each getting two minors, while Mark Kastelic fought with A.J. Greer. Jim Montgomery was frustrated.
“We cross-checked them we got to the box,” he said. “They cross-check us when we have an opportunity to score a goal in the second period and the call didn’t go our way.”
Sam Bennett ran over Joonas Korpisalo after the Panthers’ sixth goal. Montgomery was asked about his players’ reaction to it.
“Every time they tried to push back they went to the box,” he said.
The Bruins host the Panthers on Monday at 1 p.m.
“I think it’s good. It’ll be fun at our rink,” Frederic said. “It should be fun. “
