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Ullmark shares a hug with Swayman, greets Bruins fans after his tribute

Pabio November 10, 2024

Ullmark and Swayman shared an embrace before Saturday’s game at TD Garden.

Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman shared a hug Saturday at TD Garden. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

Jeremy Swayman kept his cards close to his chest Friday when asked if another on-ice hug with former Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark was planned during their expected reunion at TD Garden.

"I guess you’ll have to wait and see," Swayman said with a laugh when asked if another post-game hug was in the works. “Keep yourself on your guard.”

While their patented post-victory festivities That may not be feasible now that Ullmark is donning a Senators sweater, the duo shared a friendly hug before puck drop Saturday night.

Shortly after warmups began at TD Garden, Ullmark walked over to Swayman near both benches – giving each other a quick hug before posing for a photo together.

Ullmark and Swayman shared the Boston net for three seasons – the duo forged a close friendship and became arguably the best goaltending tandem in the NHL.

Over those three seasons, the Bruins posted an overall record of 163-58-25 and averaged 117 points per year. While Swayman has quickly established himself as one of the best young goalies in the NHL, Ullmark’s excellent numbers and veteran presence have allowed Swayman to develop on his own schedule.

“It shows what kind of character he has,” Swayman said of Ullmark, who won a Vezina Trophy with Boston during the 2022-23 season. “Just his awareness of taking these guys around him and seeing what he could do – with the experiences he’s had, and shedding light so that I don’t make the same mistakes or have a best way in different situations.

Ullmark, who was traded to Ottawa in June in exchange for 2024 first-round picks Joonas Korpisalo and Mark Kastelic, got the start Saturday against Swayman and Boston.

During the first media timeout, Ullmark received a video tribute, highlighting some of his best saves, as well as his goaltending goal against the Canucks on February 25, 2023 – the first in Bruins franchise history.

After the video finished and the TD Garden crowd erupted in cheers, Ullmark skated onto the ice and raised his stick to salute the Bruins fans.

Despite the warm feeling shared at the start of the game between Boston and Ottawa, the Bruins are trying to capitalize on a slow start from Ullmark. Entering Saturday’s game, Ullmark has lost four of its last five games, posting a .873 save percentage during that stretch.