OTTAWA, Ontario — Mark Kastelic returned to familiar territory — and to the Bruins’ lineup — Saturday, suiting up for the first time since an ugly incident Jan. 9 in Tampa. Kastelic was back anchoring the fourth line in the Senators’ 6-5 shootout win.
Toward the end of the Bruins’ loss to the Lightning, Kastelic went to finish a check on Emil Lilleberg when the Tampa Bay defenseman delivered a cross-check to the forward’s chin. The two then fought before Kastelic hit his head on the ice, sending him into the league’s concussion protocol.
Kastelic returned to Canadian Tire Centre, where he spent three seasons, collecting 18 goals and 37 points in 187 games.
The rugged, 6-foot-4-inch, 226-pound Kastelic came to Boston as part of the Linus Ullmark trade and has already set a career high with 12 points.
“Well, he gives us energy,’’ said coach Joe Sacco before the game. “I mean, the way he plays up and down the ice, he brings a physical component to our team and he’s a good guy. The guys really enjoy having him around. He plays hard, he battles, he competes. Does all the little things you ask of a guy in his role.’’
Kastelic received a nice ovation from the crowd when acknowledged on the videoboard during the first commercial break.
“It’s weird. I try to separate [my emotions] a little bit on the ice,’’ said Kastelic. “Obviously I had a great couple years here and made a lot of good friendships and relationships, but kind of tried to just push that to the side and focus on the guys in this room and what we have to do to be successful and have their backs and it’s an emotional game and I think there was a lot of emotions just being back here for the first time, but I think I actually did a pretty good job of managing them.’’
Kastelic had an assist and a fight with Zack Ostapchuk, winning a decisive battle over his former teammate.
“It’s an emotional game and I wasn’t necessarily expecting it first game back, but it’s got to be prepared for everything, and I was prepared and it’s just a different feeling, but like I said before, there’s no friends out there so I don’t care who it is,’’ said Kastelic.
Wahlstrom watches again
Oliver Wahlstrom was a healthy scratch for the second straight game after scoring his first goal as a Bruin against the Panthers Jan. 11.
Wahlstrom, claimed off waivers Dec. 14 from the Islanders, has played in 10 games for the Black and Gold. The forward has been caught in a bit of a numbers game.
“In fairness to Wally, he’s played fairly well for us,’’ said Sacco. “So, I mean, there’s a couple of things that we’ve talked about with him that we think he can continue to build into his game, but those are just roster decisions that we make as a staff. And like I said though, in fairness to him, he’s played pretty well when he’s been called upon.’’
Ullmark on the mend
Ullmark has been out of the Senators lineup since Dec. 22 because of a back ailment. It’s the goalie’s second stint on injured reserve this season after missing several weeks in October. “I’m feeling better. I’m getting there,’’ said Ullmark, who watched the game from the press box. He skated before the Senators’ main practice Friday and is 12-7-2 on the season . . . Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo, who played for Ottawa last season, was serenaded with an extended round of “Jooooons,’’ when he was recognized on the videoboard . . . Cole Koepke remained out of action. The wing hasn’t been seen on skates since taking a shoulder to the head that knocked him out of Tuesday’s win over the Lightning . . . There were lots of Justin Brazeau fans in the building. Brazeau hails from New Liskeard, Ontario, just a mere 510 kilometers (that’s 316 miles to me and you) up Canada Highway 11 from Ottawa . . . On the 67th anniversary of the Bruins’ Willie O’Ree becoming the first Black player to compete in an NHL game, the league announced nominations for the eighth annual Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award are open. The award is given “to an individual who — through the sport of hockey — has positively impacted their community, culture, or society.’’ Go to nhl.com/OReeAward to make your pitch . . . Signs of the day: “Hej Uncle Sway’’ and “We miss you,’’ courtesy of Ullmark’s son, Harry (hej is Swedish for hello) . . . Song of the day: “Party in the U.S.A.,’’ by Miley Cyrus. A weird choice by DJ Prosper (the house DJ), because, well, it’s Canada.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com.
