Several New England Patriots were invited to attend Saturday’s Bruins game against the Islanders in Boston. Just prior to the game, the newly-crowned Super Bowl champs were honored with a video tribute and, to no surprise, a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
Special guests for tonight's game… Welcome, @Patriots! pic.twitter.com/mLwaAtOhYD
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 8, 2015
Linebacker Rob Ninkovich had the honor of dropping the puck in a ceremonial faceoff between captains Zdeno Chara and John Tavares, but Rob Gronkowski made sure to collect the puck shortly after for a “drop” of his own. In typical Gronk fashion, the tight end spiked the puck off the ice with authority, sending the biscuit rocketing into the home crowd about 5 rows deep.
It’s not the first time Gronk has done this, either. He also spiked (and shattered) a puck before a Worcester Sharks game back in 2012 as well.