Bruins’ Brad Marchand Quips About Unique TD Garden Experience

BOSTON — Brad Marchand is used to hearing loud cheers when he comes out of the Bruins’ tunnel at TD Garden.

Things were a bit different Monday when the Bruins captain prepared to play against Finland as a member of Team Canada in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

Normally, Marchand is not only sporting the Spoked-B across his jersey but also being a member of the home team. However, that was not the case on Presidents Day. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native was wearing a Canadian Maple Leaf, and Team Canada was the visiting team for its final game of round-robin play.

“Different,” Marchand said about coming out of the visitor’s tunnel. “Once you get out there (on the ice), you kind of get lost and not too worried about it. It was more in the room pregame. I didn’t really know where I was going. I couldn’t find anything. But that’s part of the experience.”

The Garden faithful obviously didn’t mind the Bruins captain wearing a different jersey because he received a resounding ovation when announced as a starter for Team Canada.

Canada defeated Finland 5-3 to advance to the 4 Nations championship game against Team USA on Thursday night — in the same building Marchand has played a lot of big games in.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Marchand said. “The fans here love the game, and they’re going to be very excited. They’re very energized, bringing tons of emotion. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The question will be whether or not Marchand will be booed Thursday night despite being a beloved member of the Bruins.

“I haven’t thought about it,” Marchand said. “It might happen. I get booed everywhere, so I’m not too worried about it.”

Being booed in Boston would certainly be a first for Marchand. But then again, the Bruins star did hear some loud cheers in Montreal when he lit the lamp for Canada at the Bell Centre in the first game of the tournament.