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Marco Sturm praises goaltender Jeremy Swayman in recent statement
Photo credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Jeremy Swayman delivered again for the Boston Bruins, earning surprising public praise from head coach Marco Sturm after Saturday's shootout victory.
The 26-year-old Bruins netminder stopped 24 of 26 shots in regulation and overtime, then turned away all three Detroit Red Wings attempts in the shootout to secure a 3-2 win.
It came less than 24 hours after the Bruins were hammered 6-2 by the New York Rangers, a night when injuries left the lineup thin and the energy even thinner. Swayman's response was exactly what the Bruins needed.
What made Sturm's comments stand out is the context. Entering the season, the Bruins weren't sure whether Swayman would bounce back after a disappointing previous year.
The organization hoped he would reclaim his confidence, but nothing was guaranteed. Two months later, Swayman has been lights out and is a major reason Boston sits near the top of the Atlantic Division.
Sturm called him «rock-solid» both on and off the ice, emphasizing the calm he brings to every game. Sturm added that players feed off that stability, especially during a stretch when injuries continue to test the group's depth. For a goalie struggled last season, it was nice to hear.
Jeremy Swayman earns Marco Sturm's trust with consistency
«It's huge,» Sturm said on Saturday, as seen on NESN's postgame coverage. «You guys feel it, the fans feel it, and more importantly, our players feel it. It's such a good feeling when you have that.
«Since Day 1, he's been rock-solid off the ice and on the ice. The calmness he brings in every game and giving us a chance to win every game is a good feeling.»
«Since Day 1, he's been rock-solid off the ice and on the ice. The calmness he brings in every game and giving us a chance to win every game is a good feeling.»
Swayman, meanwhile, remained humble. He said he was grateful simply to be a Bruin and focused on bringing joy and gratitude to every start. He spoke about confidence being a goalie's most important tool, describing his job as «being square, reactionary, and in front of everything.»
His teammates rewarded him with the victory, improving Boston to 15-12-0 and tightening their grip on second place in the Atlantic. The Bruins now prepare for a rematch with Detroit on Tuesday, and if Swayman keeps trending upward, he may be the backbone of Boston's push through a challenging winter.
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NOVEMBRE 30 | 162 ANSWERS Marco Sturm praises goaltender Jeremy Swayman in recent statement Is Jeremy Swayman proving he can be Boston's long-term number one goalie? | ||
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