Bruins' Sturm upset with 'brutal hit' on McAvoy
Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm was irked by the hit Florida Panthers forward Sandis Vilmanis laid on defenseman Charlie McAvoy during Wednesday's game.
"It was a brutal hit, and everyone saw it," Sturm told reporters postgame. "Obviously, I had the opportunity to look at the replay, too. To come out with four-on-four like that, I just didn't understand."
Charlie McAvoy needs help off the ice following a hit from Sandis Vilmanis pic.twitter.com/3VUySkVvSL
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 5, 2026
The incident occurred midway through the first period. McAvoy missed the rest of the opening frame but returned for the start of the second period.
Vilmanis received a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head. Bruins defenseman Jonathan Aspirot was penalized with a two-minute minor for roughing Vilmanis after the hit. The Boston bench was also handed a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct.
"I'm here to protect my guys, especially Charlie," Sturm said. "If you target his head, which was clear to see, that just pisses me off."
McAvoy missed nearly a month earlier in the season after taking a slap shot to the face. The U.S. Olympian has recorded 39 points in 45 games this campaign.
The Panthers won the game 5-4 in a shootout.