Patrice Bergeron showed the Boston Bruins’ fan base that he was back in action in the Black and Gold after scoring a hat trick during the Bruins’ home opener Monday afternoon.
Bergeron, who is now 33-years-old, underwent groin surgery in June, consequently missing Bruins training camp and the trip to China. As the Quebec native progressed in his recovery from surgery, he began to experience back spasms during the month of September, which set his recovery back even further.
While having one of the team’s stars missing for two exhibition games in a new international market before the start of the season is never desirable, Bergeron said it was the better decision for him in the long run. Known throughout the league as a player who pours as much effort as physically possible into every moment on the ice, Bergeron said he would only want to compete on the same level as his teammates when he wouldn’t physically be able to at that time, possibly setting his recovery back even more.
There was no hint of groin pain or back spasms in the home opener against the Ottawa Senators on Monday though. Bergeron came onto the ice of the TD Garden and scored four points and three goals in the 6-3 win over the Senators—with two goals in the first period.
This was his fourth career hat trick, and his third in the last calendar year. His hat trick was also the first hat trick in a home opener since current Bruins President Cam Neely—a name he is often compared to—did so in 1995.
Brad Marchand, Bergeron’s left winger, also had a four-point game, helping set a new record in Bruins’ history—this was the first home opener that two Bruins scored four points in.
After opening the season with such a note, it doesn’t look like there’s a need to worry over Bergeron’s ability to dominate the game of hockey anytime soon.
