Return of the Bergeron

Concussions have ruined the career of many of great hockey players, such as Pat LaFontaine and Eric Lindros. One player however, is determined to not let concussions ruin his career: Patrice Bergeron, the Bruins 23 year old center from Quebec. After suffering a Grade 3 Concussion thanks to a questionable Randy Jones hit on October 27th, 2007 Bergeron struggled to regain his scoring touch in the early parts of the 2008-09 season. Some were saying he wasn't playing with the same tenacity, aggressiveness and consistency that made him so successful. Then, one of the worst fears of any Bruin fan became a reality; On December 20th against the Carolina Hurricanes, Bergeron was the recipient of a shoulder to head hit by Dennis Seidenberg and was down.

Bergeron suffered yet another concussion. Although not as severe as the initial one sustained in 2007, this was Bergeron's second concussion in 14 months and the concern came with good reason. One concussion could ruin a career, but yet another one just over a year later? As the doubts of Bergeron's future grew into the minds of Bruins fans around the world their worries were put to rest on January 27th. Hours before a showdown between the Capitals and Bruins it was announced that Patrice Bergeron would be making his return to the Bruins line-up.

In the game, Bergeron had an assist on a beautiful save to keep the puck in the attacking zone on the powerplay. From that point on, it's been said that Bergeron is making the right steps to becoming the 37 Bruins fans were used to. Now, with the playoffs just on the horizon Bergeron is finding his stride for the first time since the 2006-07 season. The addition of Mark Recchi has ultimately been the biggest help to Patrice, in the 17 games since acquiring the 41 year old winger, Bergeron has scored 1 goal and 11 assists with a +3. Recchi's veteran know-how, Kobasew's raw style of play and Bergeron's resurgence has undoubtedly made the Bruins 3rd line one of the strongest 3rd line's in the NHL.

With two essentially meaningless games left in the Boston Bruins regular season, Bergeron's picked the perfect time to get things going on all levels. There's no debate that last night was by far Bergeron's best game of the 2008-09 season. In the Bruins 5-4 overtime thrilling win over the arch-rival Montreal Canadiens, Bergeron was a major force on the ice. After scoring the first goal of the game on a tic-tac-toe play on a feed from Matt Hunwick, Bergeron was on the board with a goal for just the 8th time this season. He followed this up with an assist on a Bruins powerplay goal, but then the injury bug almost nailed Patrice yet again.

On the penalty kill during the 2nd period, Bergeron took a slapshot right off the foot of the skate. A wobbling Bergeron was assisted back to the bench and down the run-way. The initial reaction of Bruins fans was, well some not so friendly words to share. However, the resilient Bruin wasn't about to sit the remainder of this one out. He returned shortly and made his presence known, just ask Maxim Lapierre. In the overtime, as the Canadiens attempted to go on the attack, Bergeron hit Lapierre with a hip check, freeing the puck, and as Bergeron skated up towards Habs goalie Carey Price he hit Recchi with a pass to put one by Price and win the game for the Bruins.

Bergeron will likely sit out the next two games for the Bruins as they travel to Buffalo and Long Island to finish the season, allowing him more time to rest his foot before the playoffs. In the larger picture, 530 days since the Randy Jones hit, it's safe to say Bergeron is back.