Ex-Bruin Marc Savard will be at Game 5, days after his call to wave the team flag
Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 6, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Former Bruins center Marc Savard is returning to Boston for the first time since 2011. And it’s possible that the team has a special night in store for him.
Savard revealed to his Twitter followers on Thursday that he plans to be at TD Garden on Friday night. The B’s take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of their opening round playoff series, which is tied at 2-2, and Savard is hoping to see a lot of No. 91 jerseys in attendance.
Apparently, Savard hasn’t been at the Garden since 2011 when he and the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. He’s presumably talking about Jan. 22, 2011 against the Avalanche, which ended up being his final NHL game after he suffered a concussion that day.
Watching the pre game show on @SNHockeyCentral in Winnipeg is getting me so fired up to be at the TD Garden tomorrow! I haven’t been in the building since we won the Stanley Cup in 2011!! @NHLBruins fans we are going to bring the house down!! Can’t wait!! #OnceaBruinAlwaysaBruin
— Marc Savard (@MSavvy91) April 19, 2019
Heading to sleep huge day tomorrow to say the least!! My first time back in the building since Stanley Cup 2011 to watch the @NHLBruins play the @MapleLeafs in game 5! I hope everyone going to the game tosses a 91 jersey on! I’m so excited and emotional!
— Marc Savard (@MSavvy91) April 19, 2019
Cut short by head injuries suffered from hits both hard-but-clean and viciously dirty, Savard’s career ended prematurely under the most unfortunate of circumstances. But he was as dynamic a playmaker as any center in the league during his time with the Bruins. Savard tallied 74 goals and 231 assists in 305 career games with Boston.
The hope is that Savard will end up being the team’s fan banner captain for the game. That distinction would include a special appearance on the video screens at TD Garden when he would wave the team flag to get fans fired up. The first two games of the series featured Bruins legend Johnny “The Chief” Bucyk and recently retired ex-Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, both of whom made serious noise. A Special Olympian joined each of them: Ned Reichenbach and Matt Millett, respectively.
Gronk waved the flag as vigorously as you’ll ever see a human being wave the flag. Shocking that he didn’t just blow a few fans right out of the building.
Come back any time, @RobGronkowski.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/1eoXVVqCch
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 14, 2019
If Savard ends up being Friday’s fan banner captain, you can also expect a healthy ovation for him. He had nothing but success as a Bruin and has become a great ambassador for hockey on Twitter and elsewhere in his post-playing career. If and when he appears, the Bruins faithful are likely to show their adulation.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
