Bruins respond to being jeered off the ice following a humiliating loss to the Capitals
When questioned about the jeers that came from the seats at TD Garden on Saturday night, Jim Montgomery was open and honest.
“I cherish our supporters. That’s my opinion,” Boston’s bench boss said. They are knowledgable about hockey. They are not incorrect.
It’s challenging to disagree with such sentiment.
The lack of resistance from a Boston team that also gave up a shit show on Tuesday in a 4-1 loss to Calgary made the team’s Saturday 3-0 loss to the Capitals feel more like a double-digit setback.
The pain of conceding a close defeat to a dismal team such as the Capitals (23-20-7) is already intense. However, the manner Boston allowed two points to elude them made for a sad scene on Causeway Street.
The Bruins managed just eight shots on goal in the first two quarters of play. Twenty-three shots on goal against Jeremy Swayman for the Capitals.
Despite four power-play attempts, three of which came in the last minute of play, the Bruins were unable to produce much against Washington goalie Charlie Lindgren.
As the last seconds of Saturday’s game drew near, a constant din of jeers from the Garden crowd finally broke into a loud chorus of dismay.
Following the game, a few Bruins responded to the welcome they encountered while passing through the tunnel.
“You’re not in love with it. I hold this organization and that spoked-B in the highest regard. In this room, we all do,” said Brandon Carlo. And I believe that the culture that has developed here over the years, particularly while I’ve been here, is that you come to work every day.
And I adore that this organization and the fans hold us responsible when we don’t show up to work ready to play and give it our all. That’s what a fan base should provide, then. There isn’t a more admiring audience that I could hope to win in. Thus, of course, I respect it. However, hearing it indicates we’re not performing our duties, therefore I don’t want to hear that.
Brad Marchand, the captain of the Boston Bruins, had further biting commentary on the boo-birds’ visit to the Garden, but he also said that Boston’s performance was far below the high bar the team had set for itself this season.
They have short, sharp memories. But about the jeers, Marchand stated that it’s their right. “They purchase tickets to attend, and they have the option to applaud or boo depending on what they think. Thus, it is up to them. Naturally, we are aware of the fervent sports fans in our city who demand that we win each and every game. Even though it’s not going to happen, they saw the effort, and tonight they clearly didn’t like it.
Montgomery said that the Bruins’ general effort and persistence on pucks have been woefully lacking since the All-Star break, despite Boston’s thrilling 4-0 victory over the Canucks on Thursday, who lead the West.
Montgomery declared, “We will change, or things will change.” “It basically boils down to: is there a puck between us? To acquire it, I want to shatter your leg. And after the last three games, we don’t currently have that. That’s the crux of the matter. Not agreeable. We simply weren’t good.
