New York. Rickard Raquel has scored many goals in his hockey career – but none like the technical goal when Pittsburgh knocked out the Los Angeles Kings last night.
– I surprised myself with the disc entry, he tells Sportbladet.
It happened at the end of the first half of the Penguins’ home game.
Jeff Petrie received a pass from Marcus Peterson and put a shot into the post. The ball then ended up in the goal court, behind Kings goalkeeper Cal Petersen. Then he threw himself Ricard Raquel Forward, I tripped over Drew Dottie – but he managed to land with a backhand punch behind his body.
– I just tried to get a CD and then I don’t know how it happened. I surprised myself when she walked in, says the 29-year-old from Stockholm on the phone from his hometown of western Pennsylvania.
‘It looked very promising’
The goal gave the penguins a 3-0 lead. Then they scored three more times before Karl Grundstrom scored a consolation goal for the visitors at the end of the third half.
– They came out strong at first, then it was Tristan Gary in the penalty area who played big. But we scored some goals and then ran away, Rijkaard continues.
However, I think he looked very promising at the start of the season. We were not happy with the effort against Montreal, but we were strong and difficult to play against.
He himself campes with Sidney Crosby in the first series and totally enjoys the company.
– In such a line, there are chances all the time, if you just start shooting at the goal, the pucks will roll, he notes.