BOSTON — As the Boston Bruins prepared for their matchup against the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday night, the atmosphere felt notably different for Joe Sacco.


Sacco, who has been a long-time assistant coach for the Bruins, had just stepped into the role of interim head coach following the firing of Jim Montgomery. Montgomery’s departure was attributed to a challenging start to the season, which saw the team face 12 losses in just 20 games.


“I usually head home after the morning skate before a game, but this time I stayed at the practice facility,” Sacco recounted after the Bruins managed to secure a tight 1-0 victory. “I took that opportunity to relax, organize my thoughts, and savor the experience since it was my first game in this new role. Winning was key for me.”


This opportunity marks another chance for the Boston-area native, who previously served as head coach for the Colorado Avalanche from 2009 to 2013. He has been a part of the Bruins coaching staff since 2014.


“Joe communicates in a straightforward manner and keeps things simple. He may not delve deeply into the personal aspects, but he genuinely cares,” stated Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. “He has deep-rooted relationships with the players and has earned their trust. Change can be difficult, yet sometimes it’s essential. Joe will need to adjust accordingly.”


Following the Thursday night victory, Bruins captain Brad Marchand reflected on the team’s need to progress despite the loss of Montgomery. Under Montgomery’s leadership, the Bruins had achieved back-to-back seasons with over 100 points, including a record-setting year featuring 65 wins and 135 points—the highest ever in NHL history.


“It’s unfortunate that the circumstances leading to this change were necessary for us to react in this manner,” Marchand commented. “Tonight was positive, but it’s just one game. We need to focus on maintaining that level of effort consistently.”


“I’m thrilled for Joe to have secured his first win as our coach. He’s a fantastic person, and tonight was special,” Marchand added.


Despite the whirlwind of emotions surrounding his first game in charge, Sacco made it a point to keep the puck from the win as a memento.


“The energy in the locker room was terrific. It felt vibrant,” Sacco observed. “But it’s important to remember that this is just one game. We still have a long road ahead of us.”