BOSTON — The Bruins, for about half-hour on Sunday, changed into followers previous to dropping the puck with the Montreal Canadiens.
Present Bruins gamers and coaches allowed themselves to get caught up within the pregame ceremony, watching with amazement because the Unique Six franchise honored legends of the previous for its centennial recreation.
It was a momentous event and one which was definitely felt amongst all those that presently reside within the Bruins locker room.
“Like I stated, big day. I feel that’s one of the simplest ways to place it,” Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco stated following Boston’s 6-3 win. “For me, too, rising up right here, being a neighborhood child, seeing these guys that I watched play once I was a younger child — I discussed it earlier — on channel 38. I used to observe Sunday evening hockey video games with Boston and Montreal. You might have good reminiscences, you draw again on lots of these reminiscences, they arrive again they usually begin to reignite in your head. It was lots of enjoyable.”
Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman drew loads of inspiration from the goosebumps-worthy pregame second. Historical past was on full show with Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, Cam Neely and Patrice Bergeron, amongst different Bruins greats, participating within the festivities.
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Seeing all these former Bruins stars in a single place impressed upon Swayman the accountability of representing the Black and Gold.
“It’s greater than a recreation, particularly in opposition to that group,” Swayman stated. “It’s honoring once more all those that got here earlier than us and put within the groundwork, set the tradition, the usual. It’s apparent whenever you see all of the alumni that stick round Boston, how a lot it means to each participant that places on the jersey. And I couldn’t be extra honored and proud to be a type of individuals and I’m going to do no matter I can to do it the fitting manner like they did.”
Bruins captain Brad Marchand watched loads of pregame ceremonies over his 16 seasons with Boston. This one was completely different, although, particularly with Marchand being honored as nicely.
And every part that went into the day, together with popping out on high in opposition to a fierce rival, is one thing Marchand gained’t quickly neglect.
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“There’s not many video games by means of your profession that you just get to have that many legends within the constructing,” Marchand stated. “The completely different occasions, stuff that went on, not only for tonight however the final yr has been actually particular. The historical past of the sport and this group is one thing we’re all very happy with in right here. … This can be very particular to be a part of issues like that. It’s particular now, however I feel it will likely be much more particular down the street whenever you get to look again at your profession.
“There’s lots of days that type of mix collectively and go by, however that is one that may perpetually stand out.”
Listed below are extra notes from Sunday’s Bruins-Canadiens recreation:
— The Bruins put collectively an offensive outburst within the first interval to take a stranglehold of the sport. Boston scored three objectives in simply 1:10 as Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak and Charlie Coyle all scored in that fast span. Boston additionally scored six objectives for the second time in three video games, and it tied the Bruins’ largest scoring output of the season on house ice — additionally they scored six objectives of their house opener in opposition to the Canadiens.
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— McAvoy, who had a particular celebration following a shorthanded breakaway purpose simply 38 seconds into the second interval, and Coyle each scored two objectives and have been joined by Mark Kastelic (two assists) and Cole Koepke (one purpose, one help) in having two-point nights. Coyle is now as much as seven objectives on the season, which ranks third on the group.
— Kastelic noticed loads of the penalty field within the win. He was known as for roughing in opposition to Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj halfway by means of the second interval and Kastelic additionally acquired a 10-minute misconduct for dropping his gloves and repeatedly going after Xhekaj after he doled out a success on Trent Frederic.
— The Bruins return to motion Tuesday evening as they start a back-to-back by taking over the Detroit Crimson Wings. Puck drop from TD Backyard is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
