BOSTON -- In an incredibly touching moment prior to Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Marathon bombing victim Jeff Bauman served as the Bruins’ honorary banner captain.
Bauman, who lost both legs in the bombings on April 15, was instrumental in helping authorities identify the suspects.
While the Foo Fighters “All My Life” blared from the sound system at the Garden, Bauman sat in his wheelchair on the ice at the Zamboni entrance, waving a Bruins flag. The capacity group of 17,565 gave him a thunderous standing ovation.
“I want to thank everyone for their amazing support for me and all those injured and their families,” Bauman said in a statement released by the Bruins. “I’m making great progress and I thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Please continue to respect our space at this time. I want to thank the Bruins players and organization for the generosity and support for all those impacted. Like all those in Black and Gold, I can’t wait to see them on another quest for the Cup. Go Bruins!”
In Game 1, the honorary captains were Todd Brown (Boston Police bomb technician), Sean Tierney (Cambridge Police bomb technician) Eric Gahagan (Mass. State Police bomb technician) and Ariane Thibodeau (Transit Police bomb technician).