New York. Lill-Fimpen needs to find a spot on the bookshelf for a disc.
Because it happened last night – William Eklund scored his first NHL goal.
– I’ve dreamed of it since I was little, says the 20-year-old rookie after a game in which teammate Erik Karlsson also set the NHL Swedish backcourt record.
It was midway through the second half in the San Jose Sharks’ home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Derek Pouliot fired a shot from the blue line and William “Lil Vempen” Eklund hit the rebound, circled Daniel Tarasov and lashed in for his first NHL goal.
The next moment he exclaimed, as he should, like a TV disc champ.
– Yes, of course it was very special, says the young man from Stockholm when he meets the media afterwards.
– I dreamed of my first goal in the NHL since I was little, as all hockey players do. I had to wait a while too, during the games I’ve played in recent weeks. So it was great to see her get in.
Of course, compatriot Erik Carlsson made sure that “Lill-Fimpen” would keep the disc and could now put it on the bookshelf.
Eric himself was responsible for assisting on Logan Couture’s goal, thus touching his friend Victor Hedman’s record of 85 points from last year.
Once again he can boast of the best offensive season of a Swedish defender ever in the NHL.
The Sharks lost the game, in typical fashion, 6-5 on an overtime goal from Johnny Goudreau.