See Bruins’ Trent Frederic Thrash Lightning Defenseman

BOSTON — The Bruins didn’t need a spark, but they got one anyway.

The Black and Gold had a four-goal lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning when Trent Frederic dropped the gloves with Emil Lilleberg at 7:37 in the second period Tuesday night at TD Garden.

Frederic definitely won what he bought, going over and under with his right hand and landing more than 10 punches on tilt.

One can only assume the flip was a way for Lilleberg to answer for his nasty cross-check on Bruins forward Mark Kastelic in last week’s contest between the two clubs.

Kastelic and Lilleberg dropped the gloves in the final seconds of Boston’s sixth straight loss. The Tampa Bay defenseman also received a major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking.

Frederic is on a Gordie Howe hat trick watch. The burly forward scored his seventh goal of the season on a perfect feed from Matthew Poitras to open the scoring in the first period. With his match against Lilleberg, Frederic needs an assist to complete the feat.

It is the second game for Frederic in his last three games. The Bruins forward hit Edmonton Oilers veteran Corey Perry in Boston’s shutout loss to the defending Western Conference champions last week.