Bruins welcome back Olympic heroes after Team USA's dramatic gold win
The Boston Bruins celebrated a historic moment as two of their players returned with Olympic gold. Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman helped Team USA secure a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Canada. Meanwhile, the team also welcomed back other Olympians, including bronze medallists from Finland.
The Bruins gathered to watch the gold-medal game before their Sunday practice. Their focus now shifts to integrating the returning players ahead of Monday's session.
Team USA claimed gold in Milano Cortina after a tense final against Canada. The men's team won 2-1 in overtime, with McAvoy playing a key role on defence. He logged 22:45 of ice time and made a critical shot block in the third period to preserve the 1-1 tie. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman also contributed to the victory, marking the first Olympic gold for both players.
The US women's team mirrored the success, defeating Canada 2-1 in their own overtime thriller. Boston Fleet captain Megan Keller scored the decisive goal, completing a clean sweep for USA Hockey at the Games.
Back in Boston, the Bruins watched the gold-medal match together before their Sunday practice. The team now prepares for the return of five Olympians, including McAvoy and Swayman, as well as forwards David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm, and defenceman Hampus Lindholm. Finnish players Henri Jokiharju and Joonas Korpisalo will also rejoin the squad, bringing bronze medals from Team Finland's third-place finish.
McAvoy's season has been marked by resilience. Despite an upper-body injury and a broken jaw earlier in the year, he leads the Bruins in average ice time. His performance in the Olympics further cements his role as a defensive cornerstone for the team.
The Bruins will resume practice on Monday with their full roster back from the Olympics. McAvoy and Swayman return as gold medallists, while Jokiharju and Korpisalo add bronze to the team's achievements. The club now looks ahead to building on this momentum as the season continues.
