Johnny Beecher Elevating Game In Second NHL Stint
The rookie forward scored Saturday night in the Bruins' 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.
Johnny Beecher Elevating Game In Second NHL StintThe celebration said it all.
Johnny Beecher was embraced by his Boston Bruins teammates after scoring in the third period of Saturday’s 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden – just his second game back in the NHL since being called up from AHL Providence Wednesday on an emergency basis
“I’ve said it a couple times, but it’s never fun getting sent down, being away from your teammates that you were with for the first half of the season,” Beecher said Saturday. “Just happy to get on the board and just trying to help the team win any way I can. It always feels good to go in the back of the net.”
The 22-year-old forward played 39 games with the Bruins to start the season before getting sent to Providence on Jan. 20. After a spunky start to the year in Boston’s bottom six, Beecher lost some of his consistency. While in Providence, Beecher logged eight points (four goals, four assists) through 17 games.
He’s had to dig deep to rediscover his spark, and the work put in has begun to show. Beyond the goal – which is always a confidence booster – Beecher’s 200-foot game has impressed, and his success at the faceoff dot has been a welcomed addition. In Thursday’s 2-1 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens, Beecher went eight for 11 on faceoffs. On Saturday, Beecher won five of eight.
“It’s just about kind of growing up, learning to take care of your body a little bit better, come to the rink everyday prepared,” Beecher said. “I think that’s kind of where I started to slip up a little bit, and I ended up getting sent down unfortunately. But I’ve been working on that ever since, and just that consistency that it takes to stay.”
The rookie’s goal came at 3:45 of the third period after the newly-acquired Andrew Peeke found him in front for the second-effort, knock-in tally. Peeke picked up his first point as a Bruin on the play, too.
Beecher had 14:59 of total ice time Saturday while skating on the fourth line with Jesper Boqvist and Justin Brazeau – two guys who started the season in Providence. Beecher’s agility, whether in transition or in the offensive and defensive zones, strengthened the line – not to mention his size at 6-foot-3, 216 pounds.
“It was a big focus for me. That was one of the things that when I got sent down, they wanted me to really kind of start utilizing more,” Beecher said of his speed. “Just trying to put defenders on their heels a little bit more, trying to accelerate through the neutral zone with the puck.”
Beecher’s second go at the NHL has had a small sample size of two games thus far, but he’s happy with where he is at and is only focussing on the present.
“I’m not really trying to think too far ahead,” Beecher said. “Just trying to play my game and do what I have to do right now to stay in this lineup and stay in the NHL.”