FOXBORO, Mass. — It’s been nearly six years since Patrice Bergeron set up Marco Sturm for perhaps the most memorable regular-season goal in Boston Bruins history.
Bergeron has won a Stanley Cup and played for another in the half-dozen seasons since, but that pass at Fenway Park, which helped the Bruins win the 2010 Winter Classic in overtime, remains one of the center’s career highlights.
“It’s definitely up there,” Bergeron said Wednesday as the Bruins prepare to play in their second Winter Classic, which is set for Friday at Gillette Stadium. “More the celebration afterwards, and the fireworks and the crowd. That’s memories that you’ll never forget, and it was a lot of fun. It’s a regular-season game, and it feels like a playoff game. You want to win it.
“But it’s great. And I heard (Sturm) is going to be playing (in the Winter Classic alumni game Thursday), so I’m happy he’s around somewhere. I’ll have a chance to say, ‘Hi,’ to him. It’ll be nice to say, ‘Hi,’ to Marco again.”
Bergeron is one of three current Bruins who played in that 2010 Classic, along with defenseman Zdeno Chara and center David Krejci. (Goalie Tuukka Rask was on that squad, as well, but he watched from the bench, with Tim Thomas getting the nod in net.)
Forward Max Talbot also has played in a Winter Classic — in 2011, when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins — and he’s thrilled to be around for another one after bouncing between Boston and Providence several times earlier this season.
The 31-year-old, who missed the inaugural Winter Classic in 2008 because of an injury, has appeared in just 15 games with the Bruins this season but has been a mainstay in Boston’s lineup since his most recent call-up.
“I’m very happy,” Talbot said. “The Winter Classic was so far away in my head at the start of the season because I was up and down and in and out of the lineup. So, I’m glad I can be a part of this, and take away this event, I’m just glad I can help the team have success here and play good and be a part of this team.”
Both Bergeron and Talbot participated in Wednesday’s family skate at Gillette, with their young — and in Bergeron’s case, very young — sons joining them for the first time.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@NHLBruins
