I don’t have a picture of this event which has led to much teasing from friends and family. I assure you, it did happen.
I was biking around the North End the day after last year’s Game 7 loss to the Flyers. As I cruised toward the Coast Guard station, I could see a large man on the sidewalk — I mean this guy was huge! As I got closer, I realized it was Zdeno Chara with his wife and daughter. I slowed a bit, just planning on gawking, when he looks at me and says “Nice bike.” I turned around and said, “Well I gotta shake your hand now!”
I shook his hand — but it was more like my hand disappeared in his. He talked to me about my bike and biking in general for a few minutes. It was funny to watch him lift up my bike with one hand to see how light it was to him.
During the conversation I mentioned how my sister and I were at the Garden for Game 7. His response was a couple semimumbled words and a sincere dejected expression. His response took away any doubt (if there was any) about his desire to win.
After our little chat, I rode off with a huge permasmile. I can only imagine what people who saw me after that assumed I just did. I thought it was awesome that he not only was walking out and about in the city, but took the time to talk to me. Never did he make it seem like I was bothering him. He was a real sincere and genuinely nice guy and I hope they win it all for his sake as well as my own.
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