Zach Benson broke his own NHL record with his dream goal.
The 18-year-old talent now risks being sent to play junior hockey again.
– That’s a good question, but we weren’t right after the game, says coach Don Granato.
The Buffalo Sabers lost 4-3 in overtime to the Washington Capitals.
However, it was the team’s Canadian talent Zach Benson who ran the show.
The 2-0 goal was his first NHL goal and was a real treat that had TV commentators ecstatic.
Zach Benson stole the ball from Victor Olofsson, made his way to the goal, pulled the ball through his legs and lifted it into the goal behind veteran goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper.
-I just tried to make a nice idea that I thought would work. “Then my instincts took over,” Zach Benson says.
He could continue in the junior league
The striker was placed 13th this summer ahead of Swedes Axel Sandin Bjelica, Oton Stenberg, Theo Lindstein and David Edstrom in the first round.
This was Zach Benson’s ninth NHL game and he can now be moved to the junior team Winnipeg Aces of the Western Hockey League, so that the first season of his three-year contract will not be used.
Tom Wilson tied the game for the Washington Capitals with 1:15 minutes left in the third period and Dylan Strome scored with eight seconds left in overtime.
For the Buffalo Sabres, Viktor Olofsson had an assist on the first two goals and Rasmus Dallen had an assist on the third.
Great assist from Leo
18-year-old draft pick Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks and draft pick Leo Carlson of the Anaheim Ducks also received attention in Thursday’s games.
Connor Bedard scored his 10th goal in 17 games.
Leo Karlsson provided an assist for Mason McTavish.
The Chicago Blackhawks lost 7-3 on the road, and the Columbus Blue Jackets won after nine straight losses and 13 losses in the last 14 games.
The Anaheim Ducks lost at home to the Montreal Canadiens 4–3.
Leo Karlsson has nine points (six goals, three assists) in 13 games.
