Local skater sinks Bruins

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BOSTON -- Benn Ferriero is no stranger to the TD Garden.

Growing up in Essex, Massachusetts, he attended Boston Bruins games with his father and cheered for his now-teammate Joe Thornton.

Playing for the Boston College Eagles, he competed there in the Beanpot Tournament and Hockey East Tournament.

In the NHL, he suited up for the opposing team last February as a member of the San Jose Sharks.

Ferriero has made plenty of memories at the Garden, and on Saturday night, he added scoring the game-winning goal to the list.

With the game tied 2-2 in the third period, Ferriero scored the deciding goal with 11:12 to go. The Sharks went on to beat the Bruins, 4-2.

I grew up a Boston fan my whole life, he said. I got to play a game here last year, which was pretty cool, and then to come in here and get to play again and score the game winner is pretty special.

While Ferriero looked at home on the ice, the 24-year-old's hockey career has been one of transitions since signing with the Sharks in 2009. Entering Saturday night, he had played in just 58 NHL games over three seasons while spending the majority of his career in the AHL with the Worcester Sharks. Ferrieros goal came in only his second game since being called up by the Sharks earlier in the week.

I guess Im used to it, he said. This call up was kind of easy for me. I just had to go to Boston from New Jersey instead of all the way to San Jose, so that hour flight wasnt too bad. After doing it as many times as Ive done it, you kind of get used to it and learn to roll with it I guess.

Sharks head coach Todd McLellan praised Ferriero after the game.

Benn is really growing as a player, he said. He surprised us last year at training camp. He had a chance to stick around, then he needed some time in the minors. His training camp was good. Didnt quite make it, but in the time between now and then our team has faltered a little bit. He has got the opportunity and we always said there would be some internal competition and hes made good on it. Were happy for him.

Ferriero will enjoy his winning moment with family who came to watch the game. Hell cherish the feeling that he says he doesnt have the words to explain.

But he knows there is another game to be played, another opportunity to seize. So hell be ready at a moments notice. Its something he had become accustomed to doing his entire career.

Thats part of the business, he said. When your opportunity is called, youve got to make the most of it. Im just trying to do that, trying to stick here for a while, and do my best.

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