“And back then, I thought all the people in California do is they go to beach parties and surf and so, this will be my reward: I’ll come out for a year and I’ll go back to Massachusetts where people work for a living,” he said with a laugh. “And that was right before Apple computer took off. So then, I said, ‘OK, I’ll stay.’ ”

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Wearing a gold Bobby Orr T-shirt, Chickering was one of a bevy of Bruins devotees on hand for Boston’s game at San Jose on Tuesday — a 6-3 victory that kicked off a three-game swing through California.

The Bruins’ ability to draw crowds on the road is most impressive. No matter where they lace ’em up, their fans show up — and it’s particularly striking when they come to California. The barns are filled with Black and Goldies.

Sometimes the fans are New England transplants, but lots of times it’s natives who just have always been drawn to the Original 6 franchise.

A Bruins fan in the front row (left) gleefully enjoys Nikita Zadorov (91) showing some knuckle-love to Sharks counterpart Darnell Nurse in the third period of Boston’s win in San Jose last Tuesday night.Jeff Chiu/AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Chickering’s passion goes back to the glory days of the late 1960s and early ’70s Phil Esposito and Orr teams.

“As far as I’m concerned, the greatest hockey player God ever created,” said Chickering of old No. 4. “And if he hadn’t had so many knee injuries … ”

Matt Walbridge came to California for a popular reason.

“Honestly, the weather,” said the Braintree native. “I was just sick and tired of the winters. And one winter I was walking my dog and I just was like, ‘I don’t think I can do this anymore.’ And that was the last winter I did, and that was three years ago.”

Sporting a Brad Marchand sweater and a Red Sox cap, Walbridge was among the throngs of Bruins fans waiting outside Honda Center in Anaheim on Friday. It was the first time Walbridge had been to the Ducks’ home rink, but he’s seen games at Crypto.com Arena, the Kings home up Interstate 5 in Los Angeles.

“I’ve probably seen more Bruins and Celtics games now living in LA than I did when I was living in Dorchester or East Boston,” said Walbridge before the Bruins’ 4-2 victory. “It’s easier to get tickets, and it’s cheaper.”

There were lots of Black&Gold sweaters at Honda Center Friday night to cheer on Matt Poitras and the Bruins in their 4-2 win over the host Ducks in Anaheim.Ryan Sun/AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Outside Crypto before Saturday night’s 4-1 win over the Kings, Justin Kinstle and his family were resplendent in Bruins garb. Kinstle has no New England ties, but his father was a Bruins fan (from New York of all places) and he handed down the fanaticism.

“Probably Bobby Orr,” Kinstle said when asked why his father chose the Bruins.

Bruins fans rush to the glass warmups warm-ups and cheer on their team. The players notice.

“It’s really special to be a Bruin,” said Hampus Lindholm. “I think we have the best fans. I always say it, best fans in the league and in the world. So, it’s so exciting to come into barns and you see those Bruins fans everywhere and we definitely do not take you for granted.”

Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei (6) made the most of his trip out West, catching his favorite baseball team post their biggest win in 44 years. Ryan Sun/AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Brewing up a memorable victory

Mason Lohrei had a bit of delayed reaction to what he witnessed Thursday night.

Sitting behind home plate at Dodger Stadium with Bruins teammate (and fellow baseball junkie) Morgan Geekie, Lohrei watched as Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio snagged Kiké Hernández’s liner for the final out of Game 4 of the NLCS … and he froze for a second.

The Brewers had swept, and were going to the World Series for the first time since 1982. Lohrei, who grew up in Wisconsin, knew it, but he didn’t believe it instantly.

“Honestly, not until I saw them leave the dugout to run out on the field,” he said. “I saw the catch and I was just pumped. They won and I was like, ‘Holy [crap], they’re going to the World Series.’ ”

Earlier in the game, Lohrei got his hands on a foul ball (he thinks off the bat of Garrett Mitchell, but don’t hold him to that). Lohrei ended up giving the ball to a young Dodgers fan who was understandably not having the best night.

From bat boy to GM

In a related note, during that 1982 World Series, one of the Brewers’ bat boys was current Panthers general manager Bill Zito … Willie O’Ree, who broke the NHL’s color barrier in 1958 with the Bruins, was at Honda Center Friday to celebrate his 91st birthday. He received a Bruins No. 91 sweater autographed by the players from current Bruins No. 91 Nikita Zadorov … If you ever venture to Anaheim, the Sheraton on South Harbor is a solid choice. Pro tip: Ask for the fireworks side, so you can watch the Disney display from your balcony and, as a bonus, see the Tower of Terror — pound for pound, the best thrill ride in the land. Oh, just ignore those blood curdling screams … Unpopular California take: In-N-Out Burger is meh.

Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him @globejimmcbride.