PITTSBURGH- Growing up Matt Grzelcyk spent a lot of time around TD Garden. Born and raised next door in Charlestown, Grzelcyk lived just a stone’s throw away from the home of the Boston Bruins. Matt’s father, John Grzelcyk, remains a member of the TD Garden bull gang.

As a child, Matt Grzelcyk shared the dream of many Massachusetts-born hockey players to one day wear the spoked-B. On Wednesday that dream became a reality for the former Boston University Terrier.

Just hours after being recalled from the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League, Grzelcyk made his National Hockey League debut in a contest against the league’s leading scorer in Sidney Crosby and the rest of the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Despite the Bruins’ 4-3 overtime loss at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday night, Grzelcyk shook off the nerves common for anyone playing in their first game and enjoyed his NHL debut.

“Yeah obviously, it’s your first game, a little nervous going out there,” said Grzelcyk who logged 14:34 of time on ice.

“Just try and make a conscious effort to not be as nervous out there as I was in the exhibition games – was thankful to have all the guys out there kind of cheer me on and stuff. So, to get that support was huge.”

The 22-year-old was slotted alongside Kevan Miller for most of the night on the Bruins third defensive unit. Grzelcyk was used on the second power play as the Bruins failed to score on all four of their opportunities, including a five-on-three advantage in the first period.

With Miller going down due to injury and not returning for the start of the third period, Grzelcyk was forced to skate alongside different faces, something that wasn’t too challenging for the rookie.

“Not too much, I mean obviously, we missed him out there, he’s a great defenseman, physical presence,” Grzelcyk said. “Anytime you lose a guy it’s obviously tough, but I think we handled it pretty well and especially the guys who kind of shut down the top line, yeah, it was good.”

As nice as it is for Claude Julien and company to have another body that can log power play minutes, the 10th-year Bruins coach will be the first to note that power play time is not all his young defenseman brings to the table.

“As advertised, I guess. I thought he skated well, moved the puck well,” Julien said following Wednesday’s loss. “You know it’s his first real game and it’s an eye-opener for anyone who plays in their first game, especially when you play the defending Stanley Cup Champions. I thought he handled himself well.”

In 25 games for Providence this season, Grzelcyk scored once, added 11 assists (with three helpers coming on the power play) and was a plus-12.

Anytime a player makes the jump from the AHL to the NHL, some big differences are going to stick out. Quickly, Grzelcyk figured out the speed and skill differences between the two leagues.

“Just how fast teams play for sure, both on our team and Pittsburgh obviously,” Grzelcyk said. “They move the puck extremely well. You just have to be ready and think one step ahead.”