Bruins Welcome Super Bowl Champion Patriots to Garden
James White, who scored winning touchdown, drops ceremonial first puck
by Christopher Weyant @NHLBruins / BostonBruins.com
BOSTON - The Bruins welcomed the Super Bowl LI Champion New England Patriots to TD Garden for Saturday's matinee affair against the Vancouver Canucks, which resulted in a 4-3 win for the Black & Gold.
Running Back James White, who had a Super Bowl-record 14 receptions and scored three touchdowns - including the championship winning two-yard run in overtime - in the 34-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons, dropped the ceremonial puck alongside Bruins captain Zdeno Chara.
Nice job, @SweetFeet_White �� pic.twitter.com/HIaw750ftK
- Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 11, 2017
David Andrews, Joe Cardona, James Develin, Geneo Grissom, Matthew Slater, Nate Solder, and Sebastian Vollmer accompanied White to center-ice and were welcomed by a raucous TD Garden crowd.
Vollmer, an offensive lineman tasked with protecting Tom Brady, took to social media to document the pregame scene.
Thanks @NHLBruins! The @tdgarden gets loud!! pic.twitter.com/cz8mZC10zd
- Sebastian Vollmer (@SebVollmer) February 11, 2017
The two-time Super Bowl Champion also thanked the Bruins via Twitter, accompanied with a selfie with White.
Thanks @NHLBruins for having us at the green today @SweetFeet_White pic.twitter.com/U3Iw2JXEQZ
- Sebastian Vollmer (@SebVollmer) February 11, 2017
Along with the eight Patriots players, a number of Patriots coaches also made an appearance at the Garden.
Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia, sporting his trademark beard, drew a roar from the crowd when he appeared on the Valentine's Day kiss cam early in the third period.
.@Patriots Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia gets in the Valentine's Day spirit �� �� pic.twitter.com/C7SG8XGeAL
- Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 11, 2017
Coaches Moses Cabrera, Joe Judge, Jerry Schuplinski, Josh Boyer, and Bill Belichick's son Steve Belichick also joined Patricia to be honored before the game.
Congrats again, @Patriots! pic.twitter.com/CM372Sq5RT
- Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 11, 2017
#Patriots intros at @tdgarden before the @NHLBruins game: pic.twitter.com/WmBHss2IPt
- New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 11, 2017
Check out the full ceremonial puck drop below.