Linus Ullmark Felt ‘Goosebumps’ In Emotional Return To Face Bruins

BOSTON — Linus Ullmark’s emotions ran high when he stepped back onto the TD Garden ice Saturday night, this time as a member of the Ottawa Senators.

He settled down in a 3-2 overtime win for the Senators over the Bruins, but it wasn’t easy to do so for the veteran netminder, who spent three seasons with Boston before being traded to Ottawa this past offseason.

“It was certainly a lot. Not going to lie. It was a lot,” Ullmark said. “Especially during warmups, having goosebumps going out there and hearing the crowd again.”

Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman decided to orchestrate their moment together prior to puck drop. The former goalie partners met at mid-ice in front of the benches at the beginning of warmups and shared a hug — not one as big as the one they used to give to celebrate wins — before posing for a photo together.

Getting that opportunity with Swayman, who Ullmark developed a tight bond with during his time with the Bruins, will stick with Ullmark.

“It was a lot of fun,” Ullmark said. “It’s something I’ll look back at and bring with me forever sort of speak. Just had to enjoy the moment.”

Ullmark turned his focus to his duties in net after that and wasn’t tested much during the game. He only needed to make 14 saves and wasn’t called upon in the third period with the Bruins registering no shots on net in the frame.

There was still one more distraction for Ullmark well before he waited for shots to come his way in the third. The Bruins played a tribute video on the jumbotron for the 31-year-old at the first commercial break in the first period. The video brought back several memories of Ullmark, including some incredible saves from his Vezina Trophy-winning campaign along with his goalie goal.

Ullmark was grateful for the touching moment, raising his stick in appreciation as the hometown crowd showered him with cheers.

“It meant a lot,” Ullmark said. “It’s not something that I’m striving for, obviously, but it’s something that you can look back and saw that you made enough of an impact on this community and this organization. … Like I said, I’m never going to take it for granted. I’m very happy for it and humbled for it as well.”