In a loud, party-like first half that saw the Celtics jump out to a commanding 21-point lead at halftime, a former Bruins great received one of the most notable standing ovations from the Boston faithful.
Bruins legend Zdeno Chara, rocking a black-and-green Kristaps Porzingis jersey, waved to the Garden crowd with a “Heroes Among Us” award in his other hand.
The award recognized Chara’s work in the community post-retirement including being a two-time runner of the Boston Marathon with Team Hoyt, in support of inclusion for disabled youth.
“Dedicated to inspiring and uplifting Boston area families,” the jumbotron read as Chara stood in center court.
Five years to the day, Chara received a similar, monstrous ovation from Bruins fans as he suited up for Game 5 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals vs. the St. Louis Blues. Just a game before, the then captain suffered a broken jaw during action.
These days, the 14-year Bruin has hit the roads as a marathoner, completing his eighth 26.2-mile race in London in late April with a personal best of 3:11:04. That gauntlet came just days after Big Z finished his second trek from Hopkinton to Boylston Street.
Chara has raised tens of thousands along his quests for The Hoyt Foundation, a non-profit group that looks to “build the individual character, self-confidence and self-esteem of America’s disabled young people through inclusion in all facets of daily life.”
For this year’s Boston Marathon, Chara raised more than $25,000.
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