WILMINGTON - Question: The only thing worse than Manny Fernandez's .832 save percentage?
Answer: His luck. And maybe his health.
Fernandez, acquired over the summer to be Boston's workhorse in net, only to be sidelined with a bum left knee in late October, returned to practice yesterday with the Bruins for the first time in better than three weeks.
All went well for the 33-year-old backstop for the first half-hour. But when the clock struck noon, Fernandez was struck with back spasms, sending the hard-luck goalie back to the dressing room.
"He said it felt a little stiff," said coach Claude Julien, left to improvise his practice with only rookie Tuukka Rask available to handle shots. "The knee was fine, so that's good. So, they'll treat him, and we'll see . . . you never know, he could be back [today], or it could take a few days."
Tim Thomas, who had started 10 straight games while Fernandez dealt with the knee injury, was given the day off to tend to family business. He is expected to practice in a morning workout today at the Garden, and it's likely Thomas and Rask will split the upcoming starts (tomorrow and Saturday) against the Islanders.
Fernandez has not seen game action in a month, following a 6-1 loss to the Canadiens in Montreal Oct. 22. Following tests last week, he said Friday he would not have knee surgery on the troublesome ligament, and began practicing Sunday with an eye on building up leg strength to return to action. He faced a few shots Monday, prior to the club's full workout, and then finally returned to more strenuous action yesterday.
For a half-hour.
"We'll see," said Julien. "He's been going at it hard the last few days, after not playing . . ."
Flying Finn
Rask, fresh from winning his career debut Tuesday night, received no fewer than 25 text messages from friends and family back in Finland in the wake of the 4-2 triumph of the Maple Leafs.According to the Finnish phenom, he had more trouble falling asleep after the win than he did the night before making his first start. "I don't know why," he said. "I just couldn't sleep." Shuteye finally came his way about 2:30 a.m., he said.
A number of his friends back home watched the Versus telecast via the Internet. However, his parents were only able to listen, also via the Internet. "They're just not as good with the computer," he explained.
Julien on the prospect of getting Rask into one of the games vs. the Islanders: "We'll take it game by game . . . It's good to know Tuukka's here if we need him."
Back and forth
Rookie defenseman Matt Hunwick returned to Providence and was expected to play last night in Hartford. Julien said the former University of Michigan blue liner could be called up again soon, especially with so many road games in the club's future. Following tomorrow's matinee on Causeway Street, the Bruins play nine of their next 10 on the road.Best for the team
No one, said Julien, should consider the roster "carved in stone." Two forwards, Brandon Bochenski (0-2 -2 in nine games) and Peter Schaefer (3-7 -10) in 19 games, continue to struggle to put up points. "If guys are going well [in Providence]," said Julien, "and we feel they can improve our club, then we're going to do it." Schaefer, Julien believes, has improved of late. Bochenski, noted the coach, has only played about half the games. With patience, Glen Murray has come around. "The question is," mused Julien, "do we allow [Bochenski] the same patience?"
