Bruins' Jeremy Swayman Reveals Reason For Wanting Goalie Fight
Jeremy Swayman (© Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)It was another ugly game for the Boston Bruins on March 24. The Original Six club fell to the Los Angeles Kings by a 7-2 final score and have extended their losing streak to six games. They are also six points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
During this latest loss to the Kings, Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman challenged Kings netminder Darcy Kuemper to a goalie fight. The Kings goalie accepted the invitation and skated to center ice to meet Swayman. However, the referees broke up the scrap before it began, much to the dissatisfaction of hockey fans. Who doesn't love a goalie fight?
Following the game, Swayman spoke with reporters and revealed the reason why he challenged Kuemper to a fight.
"He touched one of my guys," Swayman said. "I think that was something that I'm not going to accept, and kudos to him. He stepped up, just it got broken up... It didn't happen, so you just move forward."
When asked if challenging Kuemper to a fight was a way to get the Bruins fired up, Swayman once again stressed that it was more about protecting his teammates.
"I think it just comes down to just sticking up for my teammates," Swayman said. "I don't care who it is. It's a guy in the black and gold. You're not going to touch him without getting contested. I care about every one of these guys like a brother. I just went with the way I felt. I felt like it was my turn to step up."
Swayman certainly should gain more respect from his teammates after comments like that. Even as a goalie, he wanted to do his part in standing up for them, which is hard not to appreciate.
Swayman and the Bruins will now look to bounce back in their next matchup against the Anaheim Ducks on March 26.
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