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Featured: Anthony Travalgia: Winter Classic Magic |
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Ek’s Note: Travel Hell Today with Spirit Airlines Cancellations, but I really wanted to feature our outstanding Bruins writer, Anthony Travalgia, and his Winter Classic Article…
From Ted Williams’ home run to the now red seat, to Roger Clemens’ 20 strikeout game all the way to David Ortiz’s walk-offs in the Red Sox historic ALCS comeback against the New York Yankees, Fenway Park has seen many memorable moments in its 100+ year history.
Jake DeBrusk’s two-goal performance in the Winter Classic adds to the history of excitement that has taken place inside the historic Fenway Park walls.
While Monday’s contest goes down as a normal, two-point regular season victory, it’s a win that perfectly exemplifies the 2022-23 Boston Bruins season and DeBrusk’s involvement in it.
"I'm speechless about it. It's probably the highlight of my life so far, hockey-wise and everything,” DeBrusk said. “How can it not be? It's Fenway Park with yellow everywhere and it's a good game that we won. It's one of those things where I'm lucky to do it with this bunch of guys.”
DeBrusk’s history with the Bruins is well-known.
Drafted in the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, his tenure has been filled with ups and downs and at times, issues with consistently remaining in former head coach Bruce Cassidy’s lineup.
DeBrusk’s frustration with his time in Boston came to a head last season when he requested a trade out of Boston. DeBrusk remained a faithful solider as the Bruins looked to move him, ultimately holding onto the 26-year old when no deal was found.
After the firing of Cassidy, DeBrusk rescinded his trade request and through 36 games has been one the Bruins best forwards, scoring his 15th and 16th goals Monday afternoon, benefitting from the game new head coach Jim Montgomery has allowed him to play.
“He’s a lot tougher than people think and he’s more committed than people are aware of. And because of those things, his game is growing,” Montgomery said. “He’s matured and you can see it. I mean, he’s on pace to get over 30 goals. And it doesn’t matter where I use them. He seems to spark the people he plays with.”
After the Bruins kicked off the second outdoor game to be played at Fenway Park with a sloppy start, DeBrusk’s tying goal gave the Bruins the jolt they needed, DeBrusk again later in the third for the game winner.
While DeBrusk was the hero with the puck on his stick, Bruins’ goalie Linus Ullmark was equally as important, stopping 26 of 27 Penguins shots for his 21st win of the season.
“It’s just pure joy and happiness afterward. It’s something that I’ve dreamt about for like 14 years since I saw the first one at home in Sweden,” Ullmark said. “So, I’ve always dreamt about it. I was always very jealous of the people that would play before and had the opportunity.”
Ullmark was at his best in the game’s first two periods when the Penguins were the better of the two teams, registering 20 shots on goal between the two frames.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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