BOSTON — Brad Marchand reached a milestone with the Boston Bruins that solely seven different gamers have in franchise historical past — taking part in in 1,000 video games whereas donning the Spoked-B.
The Bruins captain achieved the purpose on Tuesday night time when Boston hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Backyard. The Black and Gold fell 3-2 within the shootout, but it surely wasn’t misplaced on his teammates how particular the sport was for Marchand.
“Large milestone for (Marchand),” Bruins ahead David Pastrnak mentioned. “Actually wished to get the (win) for him to make it much more memorable. It’s superb for him. … Effectively deserved and I’m completely happy for him.”
James van Riemsdyk, who signed with the Bruins as a free agent within the offseason, is thrilled to be taking part in alongside Marchand as an alternative of towards him this season.
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“Positively had some battles with him through the years,” van Riemsdyk mentioned. “He’s a superb man and an excellent teammate and nice captain. Positively completely happy I get to share the ice with him in a second like this.”
van Riemsdyk mentioned he has watched Marchand from afar throughout his profession, and one factor he admires is the work ethic the Bruins captain has.
“How a lot he works at his craft, how severe he takes it. He’s very diligent along with his preparation, whether or not that’s doing issues off the ice or engaged on his expertise on the ice,” van Riemsdyk mentioned. “It’s no accident why he’s been as profitable as he’s been in his profession. And clearly you see him climb and move some fairly spectacular names within the Bruins file books. That’s fairly cool to see and see backstage for a few of that. … It’s good to be on the identical workforce as him. He’s positively a fierce competitor and completely happy to share the ice on the identical aspect.”
The Bruins honored Marchand with a first-period montage highlighting a number of the most memorable moments all through his 15-year profession in Boston.
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“That was superb. Carry you some goosebumps seeing him in 1,000 video games in a single jersey and a particular group just like the Bruins,” Pastrnak mentioned. “It’s positively superb. Brings us smiles and so completely happy for his accomplishment.”
Charlie McAvoy mentioned he missed the montage however plans to look it up on social media, however acknowledged how vital the milestone is.
“He’s had an unbelievable profession right here as a Bruin,” McAvoy mentioned. “I couldn’t be happier for him and what he achieved tonight.”
Earlier than the sport, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery mentioned the workforce mentioned honoring their captain with their play on the ice.
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“We talked earlier than the sport about honoring him with effort and emotion in our recreation tonight as a result of nobody has extra effort and emotion and loves being a Bruin greater than Brad Marchand,” Montgomery mentioned.
McAvoy mentioned the workforce responded.
“Who he’s as an individual and as a frontrunner of our group, it speaks for itself,” McAvoy mentioned. “We didn’t want any additional added motivation tonight. … You might really feel how particular it was and simply what he means to us. We wished to win tonight. It’s unlucky we solely obtained one level, however I believed we had an effort that we could possibly be pleased with.”
Marchand joined the elite group of Wayne Cashman, Johnny Bucyk, Ray Bourque, Don Sweeney, Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.
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