Linus Ullmark found he’d been traded from the Boston Bruins to the Ottawa Senators over fourth months in the past, closing the door on an elite three-year run that noticed the 31-year-old break up duties with Jeremy Swayman to kind the NHL’s greatest goalie tandem.
Quick ahead to Saturday night time and Ullmark returned to the place he as soon as known as dwelling, this time carrying Ottawa’s white, purple and black threads for the primary time on TD Backyard’s ice. It was an emotional return again, and a fair particular night time for Swayman.
“It was a particular sport, I believe,” Swayman advised reporters after Boston’s 3-2 additional time loss to Ottawa, per team-provided audio. “We share such an unbelievable bond and to see him in one other jersey is completely different. I’m very comfortable for him and the success he’s having, and I anticipated a sport like that — backwards and forwards. It’s enjoyable to look at him succeed.”
Boston skilled the brunt finish of Ullmark’s protection because the 10-year veteran saved 14-of-16 photographs from the Bruins in 60:21 minutes on the ice.
Ullmark and Swayman had been the basis of Boston’s protection, standing on the forefront in the course of the 65-win marketing campaign in 2022-23 that broke the NHL’s all-time regular-season victory report. That 12 months, Ullmark took dwelling the Vezina Trophy whereas the duo received the Jennings Trophy for the fewest objectives allowed within the league (172 mixed). Ullmark additionally made his first profession All-Star Recreation after main the NHL in wins (21), GAA (1.86), and save share (.939) upon being chosen.
Story continues under commercial
The Ullmark-Swayman tandem additionally skilled the lows after using the highs, sharing a gut-wrenching first-round elimination towards the Florida Panthers within the Stanley Cup playoffs after the staff’s historic run two seasons in the past. Coming into the primary non-Ullmark season was unusual in itself, particularly realizing the break up would additionally imply the top of the enduring goalie hug beforehand used to have fun each Bruins win.
Earlier than puck drop Saturday night time, Ullmark and Swayman reunited on the ice for his or her first — and possibly final — goalie hug as opponents, for previous time’s sake.
“We knew that we had been gonna meet earlier than,” Swayman mentioned. “So actually comfortable. It’s unbelievable to see the fanbase simply help us a lot and what we created collectively and simply understand it’s by no means gonna be finished once more in hockey. In order that’s one thing we’ll all the time share and have.”
Boston followers erupted in honor of Ullmark, who additionally acquired an honorary video tribute from the Bruins, highlighting Ullmark’s shining moments with the staff. It was anticipated, however no much less particular for the person who gave the Spoked-B his all and departed leaving such a powerful mark in such a short-lived tenure.
Story continues under commercial
“He deserved each little bit of that,” Swayman mentioned. “It simply goes to indicate he’s a proficient goalie, an awesome human being and individuals are gonna help that.”
