Bruins Begin Road Trip on Right Foot

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Johnny Beecher will always remember his unforgettable Thursday night in San Jose.

The rookie center recorded his first career point, assisting on Brad Marchand’s goal that opened the game, leading the Bruins to a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center.

“Getting my first point is a truly special moment, especially assisting someone like Brad Marchand – a top-20 Bruin of all time. It’s something I will proudly tell my kids about later,” Beecher expressed.

When Derek Forbort moved down the wall, Beecher instinctively dropped back to the blue line, and from there, he fed Marchand at the top of the left-wing circle. Marchand then made a move towards the net and scored a wrist shot over San Jose goalie Kaapo Kahkonen’s glove, giving Boston a 1-0 lead with just 1:54 remaining in the first period.

“I just hopped on the ice,” Beecher explained. “[Matt Poitras] made an incredible play to enter the zone and then made a selfless play, allowing us to change while in the offensive zone. I just covered for the defense, and when the puck is on number 63’s stick, great things tend to happen.

“I’m happy to get my first point and even happier with the win.”

Beecher has also been a key player on the penalty kill, logging 1:52 of his total 11:22 ice time against the Sharks. At one point, his strong stick created a turnover, which he then sent through the neutral zone to Marchand for a shorthanded breakaway opportunity.

“It’s crucial, especially for someone like me, to succeed and survive in this league. I take great pride in my 200-foot game and being able to contribute to the team in that aspect. Our penalty kill has been performing well lately, and I hope we can continue that success,” Beecher emphasized.

“It’s an incredible feeling to know that the team trusts me in this role. I hold myself accountable to get the job done. This league can bring you back down to earth very quickly, so it’s important to focus on the small details and execute them correctly. It feels amazing to contribute in this way.”