BOSTON – The team result wasn’t what Patrice Bergeron was looking for, but it’s hard to envision a better 24-hour period for the Bruins star two-way center and his family.
The 30-year-old two-time Selke Trophy winner watched the birth of his first child, Zack, on Wednesday morning- while his teammates were at morning skate, and then went out and scored a goal and two points in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers at TD Garden.
It was the first ever “Bergy Daddy Trick” with the baby, goal and assist in the same day, and something that the two-way center might not ever get a chance to repeat. Now, he’s got the puck to prove it, and a great hockey story to tell his son someday.
“There’s no word that can really describe [becoming a father]. It’s an amazing feeling, and it’s still kind of surreal,” said Bergeron. “I’m trying to soak everything in and spend some time with my son. So it’s been a great day, and I had to get focused for tonight.”
Focus normally isn’t a problem for Bergeron, but this was a bit more challenging readying for the important game vs. the Flyers on one hour of sleep and the flood of emotions that come along with being a part of childbirth. Clearly, it ended up being an inspiration for No. 37 given how well he played in his 20:10 of ice time with five shot attempts, two hits and 12-of-26 face-off wins to go along with his NHL-best four power-play goals on the season.
“It was more the trying to find a way to get myself ready even though I only had an hour of sleep,” said Bergeron. “I was trying to just think about hockey, and that’s the only way you can really go about it…try to be professional. But it’s definitely special tonight to score that goal, and keep the puck. It’s something very tough to describe, but we’re a happy family right now.”
They are also a very weary family to be sure after a long couple of days, but now Bergeron is on his way to becoming a great dad along with a great hockey player, a respected team leader and a great person off the ice, as well.