Tim Thomas back in the Garden for Bruins-Panthers game.

Oct 22, 2013; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie

(34) makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period at BB

The fans of the Boston Bruins offered a mixed reaction three days ago when Rich Peverley and Tyler Seguin cam back to the TD Garden. Social media response was mixed as they came on the ice as well. There were people who enjoyed them being there, and there were fans that booed Seguin every time he touched the puck that night. In the end, Seguin and Peverley scored in the shootout against Boston to win.

Last night, it was Tim Thomas’ turn to face the gauntlet of Bruins Nation. Thomas was not put in net last night for the Panthers, and that probably cost them. The Bruins finally played a solid sixty minute game and were able to skate to an easy 4-1 win over Florida at the Garden. Here is a quick pick of the fans appreciation for Tim Thomas courtesy of Comcast Sports New England. Mostly, the crowd was happy to see the former Bruins net minder, and Thomas took a moment to acknowledge them in return.

Once again, social media went crazy on both sides of the issue.  Sure, he just dropped off the radar. (It’s still not entirely clear if the absence was more of a personal or professional one.) He refused to go to the White House, and became a distraction for the team in the 2011-12 season. His biggest crime in the eyes of my Boston fans is him having a political bend far too right for most people (especially in a town like Boston).

In the end, we have to remember what he did for Bruins Hockey. You can love what the HOCKEY player did while not wanting to go near what the hockey PLAYER is or stands for. There will be a section of the fan base that will always want to vilify Thomas. But looking at the fans last night, I think there are many of us who would like to see him in that jersey one more time, even if it was a one-day and retire contract.