Thankfully, there’s no blood on the ice at the TDBanknorth Garden right now.

Instead, it’s coming from the fans, and it’s going to a worthy cause because the Bruins and the American Red Cross are hosting the “Bleed Black and Gold Blood Drive” today from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Garden.

“We did this four years ago, the first time, before the [lockout], we had a drive that year, and it went great,” said Tim Washburn, Red Cross Recruitment District Manager for Southern Massachusetts.  “We’re always looking to link up with sports teams….It just makes sense.”

Nurses’ stations have been set up, and the usual game-day bustle so common to the concourse has been replaced with an orderly lineup of fans, waiting for their turn to give blood.  The Red Cross was hoping for at least 100 people to show up.

“The more the better, really,” said Washburn, “but that’s pretty much what we did four years ago.  I think we collected 158 pints, so something like that would be ideal.”

Early on, the Ice Girls were already hanging out and posing for pictures, and Blades, the B’s mascot, will be making an appearance as well.

Dave, from Malden, and his friend Andrew arrived at the beginning of the day to do their part.

“I always wanted to do this, and I always said, ‘I’ll do it, I’ll do it,’” Dave said.  “I heard about this the other day, so I figured, ‘OK, I’ll do it.’

“And I like the Bruins, so it helps me get out here for a good cause.”

Fans donating blood will each receive a long-sleeve Bruins t-shirt and were invited to watch the Bruins practice at noon.