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Bruins Coach Erupts Over 'Brutal Hit' on Charlie McAvoy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Feb 5, 2026 10:18 AM ET

The Boston Bruins extended their point streak to seven games but left Amerant Bank Arena frustrated and concerned about the health of one of their best players.

On Wednesday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers, the Bruins nearly lost Charlie McAvoy for an extended period of time because of what head coach Marco Sturm called a "targeted" and "brutal hit" delivered on the defenseman.

Midway through the first period, McAvoy absorbed a high hit from Florida’s Sandis Vilmanis that sent him to the ice and kept him briefly out of the game.

The hit, which came with Vilmanis leaving his feet and targeting McAvoy's head, sparked immediate backlash on the Bruins bench and raised concerns with the 2026 Winter Olympics right around the corner.

Charlie McAvoy goes down the tunnel after a high & late hit from Sandis Vilmanis

( @NHL_On_TNT) pic.twitter.com/PZXjVEFJdU
— NESN (@NESN) February 5, 2026

McAvoy returned for the second period and finished with 22:05 of ice time. It was a major relief for Boston and Team USA, as McAvoy missed nearly a month earlier in the season due to a facial injury and is expected to have a large role for the Americans at the Olympics.

“It was a brutal hit,” Sturm said. “And everyone saw it. Obviously, I have the opportunity to look at the replay, too, and to come out with a four-on-four like that—I just didn’t understand it.”

The Bruins came out of the incident on the penalty kill. Vilmanis was issued only a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head.

Defenseman Jonathan Aspirot received a roughing call for retaliating, and the bench was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after protesting the decision.

Marco Sturm on the hit to Charlie McAvoy:

"It was a brutal hit and everyone saw it... to come out with a four-on-four... I just didn't understand." pic.twitter.com/155m4nhpgU
— NESN (@NESN) February 5, 2026

“I’m here to protect my guys, especially Charlie,” Sturm said. “And if you target his head, which was clear to see, that just pisses me off, but... anyway.”

The officials’ decision changed the momentum of the game. Florida scored twice on the power play and added a short-handed goal to take a 4-2 lead by the end of the second.

Boston battled back with third-period goals from Mark Kastelic and Casey Mittelstadt to force overtime, but ultimately fell in the shootout.

The Bruins enter the Olympic break at 32-20-5 and in possession of the second wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference, with their next game scheduled for Feb. 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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