Patrice Bergeron began Saturday watching a fitting tribute put together by the Boston Bruins for another historic milestone. He ended it with yet another walk-off goal in the B’s 5-4 overtime win against the Los Angels Kings.
Bergeron added another chapter to his illustrious career when he skated in his 1,000th NHL game on Tuesday night. The Bruins gave him the appropriate tribute for his latest milestone before Saturday’s matinee at TD Garden.
The ceremonies began with a video package from the Bruins production team highlighting Bergeron’s career accomplishments during his first 1,000 games. The clip included congrats from current and former coaches and teammates, including captain Zdeno Chara, Brad Marchand, Claude Julien, Glen Murray and Shawn Thornton (to name a few), along with a few of Bergeron’s notable opponents like Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews and local sports icons such as Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman and former Red Sox great David Ortiz.
That wasn’t all. Chara, Marchand, David Backes, David Krejci, Tuukka Rask, team President Cam Neely and former Bruins great Johnny “Chief” Bucyk all showered Bergeron with a handful of gifts. The presents ranged from artwork to a free family vacation for Bergeron and his family and a silver stick commemorating the historic milestone.
Of course, Bergeron went back to business following the pregame festivities. Boston’s alternate captain tallied the game-winner along with a pair of nifty assists in his 1,0002nd career NHL game.
His on-ice day began with a no-look feed to Charlie McAvoy, who tapped in his second goal of the season.
“When you’re out them with that [Bergeron] line, you know he’s going to make plays,” McAvoy said. “You’ve got to be ready for anything.”
The 17,565 inside the Causeway Street facility came ready to see Bergeron special things. He gave them another reason to cheer when he connected with top line partner in crime Brad Marchand on a shorthanded tally to give the Bruins a 4-2 lead in the third period.
The Bruins couldn’t finish things out in regulation as Nate Thompson and Oskar Fantenberg scored 5:54 apart to tie the game at 4-4. But Bergeron, again, came to the rescue with his 20th of the season on a 4-on-3 power play during the extra session.
“To get the win was very special,” Bergeron said. “I said it on the bench, we had to find a way [to win] and we did. I guess we’ll take the bounce with the power play in overtime, but you know, we stuck with it and we got it done.”
He still has many more games left in his career. But there’s no denying this — when it’s all said and done, Patrice Bergeron’s No. 37 will rise high above the ice on the Garden rafters.
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