Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara was spotted in a professional wrestling match in a Boston bar Saturday before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Chara was the headliner in a match with the Leprechauns, a professional wrestling team, at Brady’s Bar, where he fought against several height-challenged wrestlers in a handicap match.
“Just a tune-up,” Chara said. “It helps me prepare for the next game.”
“Chara was a beast in the ring,” one patron said. “He took on six Leprechauns at the same time!”
“If he goes after the Canes like that, then it’s going to be a blood bath.”
Beau Joseph, owner of Brady’s, told reporters he originally tried to recruit Brad Marchand to wrestle the Leprechauns, but Marchand was already participating in a Magic: The Gathering tournament.
“It would have been a more fair match with Marchand,” Joseph said, “but Chara was a solid backup option.”
“I do think that he took it a little too far when he punted one of the Leprechauns over the bar, though.”
The Leprechauns were initially worried about matching up with Chara.
“Look at him, then look at me,” Leprechaun Monty O’Brien said. “It’s like Chewbacca against the Ewoks, without weapons.”
Leprechaun Gerald McManus, who was punted over the bar, said he would do it over again just to meet a Bruin.
“I got his autograph and took a selfie with him,” McManus said. “He had to take the picture, though.”
Chara and the Bruins are scheduled to face the Hurricanes in Game 2 Sunday afternoon in TD Garden.
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