384.
That's how many days it's been since Bruins fans last watched their hockey team at home. Not THEIR home, I mean the team's home: TD Garden. Longer since they've seen them win (last victory in front of fans was Feb. 27, 2020 vs. the Dallas Stars, and it looks they'll have to keep waiting on that W).
A lot can happen in a year, especially one where a pandemic forces us to socially distance and stay away from our sports meccas. And though much has changed since B's fans last occupied the seats of the Garden 2.0 (don't get me started on the number of iconic food and drink institutions no longer open by The Causeway), one thing remains the same: the fans' passion for their team is intense.
The weather, especially for a late March night, was delightful. The energy, even for a limited attendance crowd, was palpable. And the feeling that normalcy, in some sense, might be creeping back, was shared favorably among all. Even the Islanders fans who somehow scored some tickets? Hey, respect the passion for hockey.
Watch Bruins fans, in 12% limited capacity, outside their first home game since March 2020, talk about their joy of returning and why they love their team so much, in the video at the top of this post. And just think -- Opening Day at Fenway is next week! We're getting there, Boston sports people. We're getting there.
