Bolland says sitting out ‘the worst feeling ever’

It’s been a rough month or so for Dave Bolland.

Being out with a concussion since mid-March and having to watch his teammates struggle against Vancouver in the first two games of the playoffs will do that to a guy.

“It’s probably the worst feeling ever; watching your team play and watching everything that goes on the ice,” Bolland said after participating in Sunday’s morning skate. “You take it to heart. If it were my shoulder or something else, I’d be out there.”

But lately there’s been a hint of some significant progress.

“It’s gotten better every day,” Bolland said. “The thing for me is to keep doing my therapy and keep doing everything I can.”

Whatever he’s been doing seems to be working because, according to coach Joel Quenneville, Bolland was a “maybe” for Sunday’s game and it sounds as if he may be a “go” for Game 4 on Tuesday.

“Every day is more encouraging,” Quenneville said of Bolland. “(Playing Sunday) was a consideration — being very close. We’re optimistic, hopefully, the next game he’ll be ready to rejoin us.”

Just the news Bolland was hoping to hear.

“I’m crossing my fingers,” he said.

Lesson learned?

Fresh off serving a suspension for an illegal hit, Vancouver’s Rafi Torres had this to say when asked if he had any apprehension to hitting when he returned to the ice Sunday:

“Absolutely, that’s one thing I’ve been thinking about all the time. So I’ve thought about it a little bit, I’ll try and be a little wiser about when I make that play.

“We’ll see how the first few periods go in Chicago.”

Well, midway through the second period, Torres was penalized for a shoulder shot to the head of Brent Seabrook behind the Hawks’ net.

Seconds later, Patrick Sharp tied the game at 2-2.

He’s back:There wasn#146;t a happier guy in the Hawks#146; locker room Sunday morning than John Scott.And why not?After playing in only half the Hawks#146; regular-season games #8212; none since mid-March #8212; and sitting the first two games against Vancouver, Scott was in the lineup for Game 3 against Vancouver.#147;I#146;ve been thinking about it all night; I couldn#146;t sleep,#148; he said after Sunday#146;s morning skate. #147;He#146;s stayed so positive the whole time,#148; Hawks captain Jonathan Toews said. #147;He hasn#146;t had the opportunity to play, but he#146;s been a great guy in the locker room, supporting the guys and never once feeling sorry for himself. And now he#146;s getting his chance.#148; Asked what Scott would bring to the lineup Sunday, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said with a grin, #147;Size.#148;Scott was credited with 4 hits in the first period of Game 3, but was called for an interference penalty midway through the second, and the Canucks capitalized to tie the game. Scott wasn#146;t a factor after that.