Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman ‘Proud’ Of Team USA To Pick Him Up After Early Struggles

Team USA played its second game of the men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament, and Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman got the start.

Swayman was the backup goalie for the tournament, which was a surprise, as he was the third-stringer at the 4 Nations. Yet, Mike Sullivan decided to make Swayman the backup, and on Saturday, he got the start against Denmark.

However, Swayman struggled early as he allowed a goal 1:40 in, and then Nicholas B. Jensen scored from near center ice, and the Bruins’ goalie wouldn’t make any excuses.

“It was a flash screen, and it was just the perfect height right between the stands and board level, and I truly lost it,” Swayman said postgame on Saturday of the goal near center ice, via The Athletic. “Definitely one I want back, but at the same time, especially at this level, you’ve got to stay even-keeled.

“It’s one shot at a time, and no matter how they go in, you’ve got to step up and stop the next one. So just really proud of this group for supporting me and getting the job done tonight.”

Swayman ended up allowing one more goal, as Team USA beat Denmark 6-3 to improve to 2-0-0 in the Olympic tournament.

Although the Bruins’ goalie had some struggles, Team USA forward Jack Eichel said he and the group have full confidence in Swayman.

“Nine times out of 10 — or 99 times out of 100 — he’s going to have that,” Eichel said. “It’s a crazy play. I don’t know, I lost the puck up in the lights a few times tonight as well. The setting is a little bit different. We don’t fault him. He’s part of our group. He made some huge saves for us at key times of the game. Funky bounce — you just move on.”

Team USA will now take on Germany on Sunday at 3:10 p.m. ET.