Bill Belichick Praises Bruins For Great Game 3 Win Over Islanders: 'Go B's'

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots are in their second week of OTAs in Foxboro, and Bill Belichick has been hard at work getting his team ready for training camp at the end of July. But even Belichick is making time to check out the Boston Bruins as the team makes another run at a Stanley Cup.

The Bruins had a thrilling overtime win over the New York Islanders on Thursday night, a win that Belichick made sure to congratulate the team for when chatting with reporters on Friday morning. Sporting a Bruins hat, Belichick started his morning Zoom session by gushing about the B's.

"Big congratulations to the Bruins and coach [Bruce] Cassidy's great win last night. Heck of a game, and it seems like they've all been," Belichick said of Boston's OT thriller and exciting playoff run thus far. "We're behind them and 'Go B's.' They have a lot of big games coming up and we wish them well.

"Coach Cassidy has done a great job there and they have a lot of great players. I love their style of play," Belichick added. "Just want to show our support."

Cassidy was grateful for Belichick's praise when he spoke with reporters Friday morning in New York.

"That's great. I've kept in touch with Bill here and there over the last few years during playoff runs for both teams, as well as Brad [Stevens] and Alex [Cora]," said Cassidy. "I heard from them all after our first-round win and I think it's great that the teams are all rooting for each other. I think it's good competition for each team to have good playoff runs and forces the other organizations to continue to excel. Obviously, the Patriots are the team that has had the most success and we want to follow in their footsteps and raise some banners as well.

"I think Bill is a hockey fan. When he raised the banner here a few years ago in the playoff run against St. Louis, he came in early and we chatted. I know he has work to do with his team, but nice of him to take time out and salute the Bruins," he added. "Hopefully we can keep him happy."

Belichick is certainly right about the games being exciting. Thursday night was the second straight game that has gone to overtime, and five of Boston's eight playoff games have needed extra hockey to decide the outcome.

The Bruins took a 2-1 series lead thanks to Brad Marchand's overtime winner on Thursday night. Game 4 is set for Saturday night on Long Island, and it certainly sounds like Belichick will tuning in and cheering on the B's.

In:
• Boston Bruins
• NHL Playoffs