Boston Bruins
With tears in his eyes, Brad Marchand saluted the gang amid an prolonged ovation on Causeway Road.
Sixteen years to the day after Brad Marchand made his NHL debut with the Bruins at TD Backyard, the 37-year-old veteran returned to Causeway Road — albeit in a distinct sweater this time round.
For the primary time in his NHL profession, Marchand took the ice at Boston’s house barn in an opposing sweater — skating in opposition to his longtime crew as a member of the Florida Panthers.
Marchand — who was traded to the eventual Stanley-Cup champion Panthers eventually season’s commerce deadline — acknowledged on Monday that he was unsure what kind of reception he’d obtain again in Boston.
The 2011 Stanley Cup champion etched his identify in Boston’s file books throughout his 16-year tenure with the Authentic Six membership — rating first in franchise historical past in playoff targets (56), second in game-winning targets (82), and fourth in each video games performed (1,090) and targets (422).
However given Marchand’s standing as a key piece on certainly one of Boston’s most-loathed foes as of late — coupled along with his long-standing repute as a pest on the ice — the previous Bruins captain wasn’t positive if the Backyard crowd would dole out each cheers and jeers on Tuesday evening.
“I’m positive it’s going to be powerful for some folks,” Marchand mentioned Monday. “Like they received’t have the ability to cheer as a result of I do know they don’t just like the Panthers very a lot. However perhaps they’ll like me sufficient to present a little bit ‘yay’ on the market or one thing.”
After all, Marchand acquired loads of cheers throughout warmups in his anticipated return to Boston, with the Bruins honoring the longtime lineup staple with a video tribute through the first media timeout.
The video featured a few of Marchand’s high highlights throughout his prolonged run with the Burins, together with his function in Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup title and two extra journeys to the Stanley Cup Ultimate.
Marchand, with tears in his eyes, skated out on the ice after the video tribute and saluted the gang — with the fan favourite receiving an prolonged ovation for over three minutes.
You’ll be able to watch the complete video tribute and Marchand’s response beneath:
A packed Backyard crowd wasn’t completed, as cheers of “Marchy! Marchy” additionally erupted as soon as play resumed within the first interval.
Talking forward of puck drop, Marchand shared his appreciation for the Bruins and the followers he performed in entrance of for nicely over a decade.
“Followers, for positive,” Marchand mentioned when requested about the most effective factor about Boston. “Hockey clever, the town’s unbelievable. …. The followers make it superior, they usually’re simply very distinctive. A number of the tales and issues that I’ve seen followers do — a number of them aren’t PG-rated — in playoff runs and stuff like that.
“It’s so particular, and I believe it’s so distinctive to this space. … I imply, all the way in which down, they bleed black and gold, and that’s a part of why I believe there’s a lot strain on the groups which have success, and why they concentrate on it a lot. I imply, you possibly can’t slip. You guys see it, you’re all right here on daily basis, and also you don’t have the flexibility to slide on this metropolis otherwise you’re gonna hear about it. We needed to provide and be good for the followers and dwell as much as that repute. So it makes it particular to play right here.”
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