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Dream scenario: Millis' Matt Boldy makes NHL debut at TD Garden, scoring for Minnesota Wild

tim whelan jr., metrowest daily news
·2 min read
Minnesota Wild's Matt Boldy, center, celebrates his goal with Nico Sturm (7) as Boston Bruins' Craig Smith skates away during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Minnesota Wild's Matt Boldy, center, celebrates his goal with Nico Sturm (7) as Boston Bruins' Craig Smith skates away during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

As dream scenarios go, it would be hard to match the one Millis-raised Matt Boldy encountered Thursday night at TD Garden in Boston.

Making his NHL debut for the Minnesota Wild, the 2019 first-round pick scored a goal in his team’s 3-2 win over his home-state Boston Bruins.

Boldy, the 20-year-old who played at Boston College through last winter, grew up in Millis. He attended Dexter-Southfield School in Brookline for a year before playing two years with the prestigious U.S. National Development Team in Michigan, from which he was drafted No. 12 overall by Minnesota in 2019.

More: Local hockey players from Millis, Southborough help Team USA win gold medal at World Juniors Championship

Watch Matt Boldy's family react to his first NHL goal

In his NHL debut Thursday night, Boldy made quite the first impression on the big club. With 12:26 to play in the second period, he sniped a shot from the slot past Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman to put the visitors up 3-1.

The Wild hung on for their first win since Dec. 9 (the Wild had five games postponed due to COVID-19 protocols since that victory).

Matt Boldy, of Millis, shown at Team USA training camp prior to the 2021 World Juniors Championship that was held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Boldy scored five goals for the Americans during the tournament.
Matt Boldy, of Millis, shown at Team USA training camp prior to the 2021 World Juniors Championship that was held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Boldy scored five goals for the Americans during the tournament.

Boldy, who was recalled from the taxi squad from Iowa of the AHL on Tuesday, scored on a give-and-go with Marcus Foligno in front of Boston’s net. Boldy passed the puck to Foligno, who sent it right back for a wrist shot Boldy sent past Swayman.

Harvard's Marshall Rifai and Boston College's Matt Boldy battle for the puck during the first period of the Beanpot Tournament consolation NCAA college hockey game in Boston.
Harvard's Marshall Rifai and Boston College's Matt Boldy battle for the puck during the first period of the Beanpot Tournament consolation NCAA college hockey game in Boston.

Boldy had a group of friends and family in attendance and the cheers carried throughout the subdued arena with the Bruins down 3-1.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Minnesota Wild's Matt Boldy scores first NHL goal against Boston Bruins