PHILADELPHIA – Jeremy Swayman made 40 saves in a memorable NHL debut as the Boston Bruins outscored the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old Swayman was called up on Monday and became the fourth goalkeeper to play for the Bruins this season. While Boston could have high hopes for the former round four pick, the Bruins probably didn’t expect it any time soon. His presence was necessary after Jaroslav Halak tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.
“What an incredible experience,” Swayman said. “To get a victory here in Philly, it means everything.”
Flyers tested Swayman with 25 hits in the second period, including a Scott Laughton breakaway that he stopped calmly. Swayman, a Hobey Baker finalist last season as the best college hockey player at the University of Maine, had to make four saves in the third period.
“He deserved much better support than us,” said coach Bruce Cassidy, “and he finally got it in the third.”
After his junior season with the Black Bears ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he chose to give up his last season and sign a three-year contract with the Bruins. He is seen by the organization – along with Dan Vladar, who is also active on the Bruins list as Tuukka Rask is still marginalized with an undisclosed upper body injury – as the future of the team in the net. Vladar made 29 saves for Bruins vs. Flyers.
“It’s a game. And it’s a game I like,” Swayman said. “And I enjoyed every second.”
In his last season with the Black Bears, Swayman went 18-10-5, averaging 2.07 goals and a .939 save percentage. He led Maine 18-11-5, good for fourth place in Eastern Hockey.
Swayman’s effort took a title or two away from Patrice Bergeron, who scored a hat trick and reached 900 career points in victory. Brad Marchand added a short goal, the Bruins won for the second time in three games. Bergeron’s final number was on an empty net.
Jakub Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere scored for the Flyers, and his teammate Carter Hart, who had been ineffective for more than a month, did not come out of his collapse in the goal, being overtaken by Swayman on the other side.
“It’s a heavy loss,” said Oskar Lindblom, the Flyers striker, “but there are many more points.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.