Excited Marchand: Touchdown Return to Boston and Intact Bruin Sentiment

Brad Marchand, known for his intensity in the game, experienced an emotional return to Boston. The Bruins fans gave him a warm welcome, showing the affection they still feel for the player. Marchand, visibly moved, struggled to hold back tears as the TD Garden crowd gave him a standing ovation. The 37-year-old player put his hand to his heart, wiped his face, and saluted the fans, in a gesture that moved everyone.

I knew it was going to affect me this way. It was extremely moving.

Brad Marchand

The match, which ended with a 4-3 victory for the Panthers, saw two assists from Marchand. The player expressed that the Bruins will always have a special place in his heart. Marchand, the last member of the Boston team that won the Stanley Cup in 2011, was traded to the Panthers last season, seeking another championship opportunity. With Florida, he achieved the two-time championship, while Boston was at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

I built something really special with every player on this team last year, winning. You create a bond that lasts a lifetime. That’s why I try not to show any disrespect that way, as if I’m not grateful, because I am.

Brad Marchand

The fans’ reception began in the pre-game warm-ups, when the DJ played a medley of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver. Marchand responded with a salute with his stick.

The fans, who were wearing Marchand’s number 63 jerseys, both from Boston and Florida, cheered again during the introductions and then booed when he received a tripping penalty 33 seconds into the game. “I knew it wouldn’t take long,” Marchand commented with a smile. There were mixed reactions when the Panthers scored on the power play, a goal that initially appeared to be Marchand’s, but was credited to Mackie Samoskevich, although Marchand did get an assist. The most emotional moment came during the first commercial break, when a video was shown with Marchand’s highlights in Boston, including images of his appointment as captain. The video ended with a photo of him holding the Stanley Cup and the message “Welcome back, Marchy”. Marchand walked along the Panthers’ bench, greeting the fans and putting his hand over his heart. His face reflected the emotion, and the fans chanted his name. Those tears are real. He just wears his heart on his sleeve. He had so many great moments here, he won a Stanley Cup here. He’ll always be a Bruin at heart. Marchand himself confessed that he was able to maintain his composure until his children appeared on the scoreboard.

Careers go by fast. No matter how long you are, it goes by extremely fast. And seeing a snapshot of that, it brings it all back. The pride I feel for having played here and being part of this organization, I just couldn’t contain it.

Brad Marchand

The game continued, with the Panthers taking a 2-0 lead in the second period. Marchand received a hooking penalty, which drew cheers from the fans, and assisted on the goal that put Florida up 3-2 with 1:31 remaining. The Bruins tied again before Carter Verhaeghe gave the Panthers the definitive victory with 27 seconds left to play. But the lasting memories will be about Marchand.

He had so many good memories in this stadium, and he has been part of this franchise for so long. So it’s good, like sitting back and being part of history a little bit.

Carter Verhaeghe

A four-time All-Star player, with 422 goals and 554 assists in 16 seasons in Boston, Marchand remains in the Bruins’ top 10 in goals, assists, shorthanded goals, overtime goals, playoff goals, and points. His 1,090 games played are the fourth-most in team history. Marchand played at TD Garden as a visitor in February at the 4 Nations Face-Off for Canada; although he was still a member of the Bruins, Boston fans booed him at a time of greater geopolitical animosity between the United States and Canada.