BOSTON — In a surprising turn of events, Jim Montgomery, the head coach of the Boston Bruins, was dismissed from his position on Tuesday following a disappointing stretch for the team. This decision came just a day after the Bruins suffered a loss to the low-ranking Columbus Blue Jackets, extending their current losing streak to three games and prompting concern regarding the direction of the season.
The Bruins announced that assistant coach Joe Sacco will step in as the interim head coach as the team seeks to regroup and revitalize their efforts on the ice.
At 55 years old, Montgomery’s departure marks the end of his tenure in Boston after 20 games into his third season. The decision followed a significant 5-1 defeat against Columbus, during which the team did not only struggle offensively but also allowed two short-handed goals to their opponents. Montgomery’s record this season stood at 8 wins, 9 losses, and 3 overtime losses, bringing his overall coaching career record to an impressive 180 wins, 84 losses, and 33 overtime losses, which includes his previous stint with the Dallas Stars.
Under Montgomery’s leadership, the Bruins achieved remarkable success in his first two seasons, accumulating over 100 points each time. His inaugural season was particularly notable; the Bruins set records with 65 victories and 135 points, the highest in NHL history. However, it was during that same playoff season that they faced an early exit in the first round, and last year’s postseason only yielded a second-round appearance, leaving fans and management wanting more.
The struggles of the current season continued from the outset, marked by a defeat against the Florida Panthers on opening night, where the team found themselves trailing 5-1. Matters worsened during an 8-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Halloween. Following the latest game against Columbus, where the Bruins faced significant boos from the home crowd after a disastrous first period, Montgomery took a reflective stance. He remarked, “Everyone goes through struggles. Whether in life, or your team. That’s what life’s about. How do you pick yourself up? It’s not how hard you fall. It’s how quickly you pick yourself up.”