Bruins defenseman ejected in first period

BOSTON — Matt Grzelcyk’s afternoon ended early and the Bruins played most of Saturday’s game against the Capitals down a man.

Grzelcyk was ejected after spearing Capitals forward Max Pacioretty in the slot in front of the Bruins net.

Grzelcyk appeared to jam his stick in an upward motion between the forward’s leg and hit him in the groin area. Pacioretty went down in a heap and got up slowly after the play and skated off the ice hunched over. He returned shortly after.A replay review upheld the 5-minute major and game misconduct.

The injury came on the same day that the 35-year-old forward earned a $500,000 games-played bonus. He’s played just 15 games this season as a result of other injuries.

Pacioretty already has an injury history against the Bruins when he played for Montreal. He suffered a bad concussion as a result of a Zdeno Chara hit that slammed him into a divider near the bench late which earned Chara an ejection in the second period.

Grzelcyk appeared to jam his stick in an upward motion between the forward’s leg and hit him in the groin area. Pacioretty went down in a heap and got up slowly after the play and skated off the ice hunched over. He returned shortly after.