Bruins, Canadiens pause rivalry to support, raise funds for Denna Laing
Although the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens are bitter rivals, they are putting the rivalry aside temporarily in an effort to support Denna Laing, a 24-year-old forward for the Boston Pride who sustained a serious spinal cord injury at the Women's Winter Classic on New Year's Eve. Laing crashed head-first into the boards during a game between the Boston Pride and Les Canadiennes de Montreal, and she fractured or shattered several vertebrae, leaving her with limited motion in her arms and no feeling or movement below her chest.
The Canadiens paid tribute to Laing with a special video before the game against the Bruins at the Bell Centre Tuesday, and the teams announced they would join together to autograph and auction off the jerseys they wore during Tuesday's game. All of the proceeds from the jerseys will go to the Laing family to help cover the expenses related to her rehabilitation and recovery.
Montreal goaltender Mike Condon, a Massachusetts native, said the auction was a great way for the teams to help out.
Via NHL.com:
"Obviously it's tough. It's been a tough couple of weeks for everybody, and for her especially," Condon said after the game, a 4-1 Bruins victory. "It's nice to see two teams come together and support someone in the hockey community."
The auction will be held through 9 p.m. EST on Feb. 11. By Wednesday morning, bids already ranged from $365 for a Jacob de la Rose jersey to $5,080 for a Patrice Bergeron jersey. You can participate in the auction here.
