Boston Bruins fans got an unexpected treat Saturday when franchise legend Patrice Bergeron made an appearance at Game 7 of their first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bergeron was revealed to be the surprise fan banner captain before the action on the ice began. Once the former Bruins captain was flashed on the big screen, the entire crowd at TD Garden in Boston, Mass. erupted in unison.
Patrice Bergeron is the fan banner captain for Game 7 vs. Toronto and TD Garden goes bonkers: pic.twitter.com/yjxrFzYKO1
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) May 5, 2024
Bergy in the building! 🗣️
Tonight’s honorary fan banner captain is #NHLBruins legend Patrice Bergeron. pic.twitter.com/fFj0PO0LIu
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 5, 2024
If there was anyone who was going to hype up Bruins fans and players alike for Game 7, it was Bergeron.
Bergeron spent all 19 seasons of his NHL career with the Bruins. The bruising center was a 6-time Selke Trophy winner who helped Boston win the Stanley Cup in 2011.
The 38-year-old retired last year after a disappointing end to his final Bruins season. The 2022-23 Bruins had suffered a first-round exit in seven games against the Florida Panthers.
The 2023-24 Bruins came into Saturday’s contest hoping to avoid last season’s fate. Boston had held a 3-1 series lead over Toronto before losing both Games 5 and 6 by identical 2-1 scores.
