BOSTON, Mass. (Backup Punter Wire Services) — Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman has refused to leave his net since the team's playoff elimination on May 4, citing what he described as "trust issues with the concept of unguarded space."

"If I leave, someone scores," Swayman said through the crossbar, where he has been standing for 147 consecutive days. "I'm not going to let that happen. Not again."

Bruins staff have been sliding Gatorade bottles and protein bars under the boards twice daily. Swayman has lost 11 pounds, all of which he said came from his "non-goalie muscles" and were therefore irrelevant.

Head coach Jim Montgomery visited the arena on June 12 to talk to Swayman about the situation. Montgomery stood at center ice for 20 minutes, said nothing, and began weeping openly. He then drove to Cape Cod and was not reachable for the rest of the month. A team spokesperson confirmed Montgomery was "processing" and would return "when he felt ready."

The Bruins have installed a space heater, a small cot, and a portable toilet inside the crease. Swayman rated the accommodations "adequate" and noted the ice quality was "actually better when nobody else is on it."

"I support Jeremy's decision," said teammate Brad Marchand on a podcast that does not yet have a release date. "I think more goalies should consider never leaving the net. It would solve a lot of problems that I don't have time to explain right now."

Swayman has faced zero shots during his offseason occupancy, a save percentage he described as "perfect." He has read 14 books, completed two online courses in marine biology, and learned to play the harmonica, which echoes through the empty arena at odd hours.

The Bruins open the regular season on October 7. Swayman said he will "already be warmed up."