Fittingly, the final stop in Marc Savard’s journey back to full health goes through Pittsburgh.
It was at the Civic Arena just over eight months ago that Savard took the vicious blow to the head from Matt Cooke. The Bruins center hasn’t played since May 14.
Today, Savard will be just a two-line pass away, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, undergoing a six-hour battery of tests with concussion expert Dr. Mark Lovell. If Savard passes, he is expected to be cleared for full-contact practice by the end of the week.
“I’m seeing the guru of concussions, I guess,” Savard said yesterday. “He’s the big guy, so I’m going to see him. Then I’ll be cleared for contact.”
Lovell developed and implemented neurocognitive testing for both the NHL and NFL. It was under Lovell’s supervision that Ducks forward Paul Kariya decided to sit out the 2010-11 season because of post-concussion syndrome.
“I guess it’s quite a test,” Savard said. “It’s like six hours long. He’s going to put me through some workouts and some strenuous stuff. When I’m at my weakest, he can see how my brain is and stuff like that. I’m interested. I’m really excited about going.
“I feel great. I feel like I’m not up to speed with the rest of the guys. I’ve got to get used to that, but other than that I feel fine. My hands feel fine, my head feels great. I just want to get going.”
