New York. Almost 24 years after Sr. Kjell scored his last NHL goal, Matthias Samuelsson scored his first.
That helped Buffalo win in Detroit – despite the fact that the Red Wings rallied from a 1-4 deficit in the third period with an Oscar Sundqvist two-goal assist.
– I will never forget it, says Matthias after the 5-4 win.
It was November 6, 1998 that “Big Kill” Samuelson, then of the Tampa Bay Lightning, scored the last of his 48 total goals during his sixteen-year NHL career.
And tonight, 24 years later, Matthias’ 22-year-old son, in his 65th game with the Sievers, took the pursuit of that record.
8:25 In the first half of the first leg against Detroit, he received a puck from Rasmus Dahlen at the height of his blue line and darted down the right wing – and after entering a meter into the attacking zone, he shoveled a shot that, somewhat unexpectedly, crossed Alex Nedeljkovic at the Detroit box office.
– I was surprised by her entry, but above all happy, says Matthias when he meets the media afterwards.
– It’s a moment I’ll never forget. It was great to come back to the booth and see how happy the guys were to me.
With that bucket, the Sabers gained a 2-1 lead and halfway through the period they went up to a complete 4-1.
But then the Red Wings came along. First, David Perron shorted. Then Oscar Sundqvist ensured they leveled with two goals in less than two minutes – so a point was secured anyway.
The home side also had a dreamy attitude to decide when Dahlin and Samuelsson, at the same time, were both sent off in the dying minutes, but the youngsters were too much for the others and passed up the opportunity.
Instead, Buffalo won, in the end, after a penalty shootout.
– I’m still proud of the boys. You will not come back from a three-goal deficit in this league. It’s a big point we get with us,” says coach Derek Lalonde.
Detroit Swede rookie Jonathan Berggren scored the game’s first goal early in the opening period.
The New York Rangers snapped a three-game losing streak last night, away from the Ottawa Senators.
Mika Zibanejad set up a goal and veteran goalkeeper Jaroslav Halak set up 34 to finally get his first victory with his new club – the seventh of his NHL career.