Little Nicky receives headpats after scoring his first NHL goal
21-year-old Nick Bonino may have joined the flock late in the season, but he wins the award for ‘best first goal story of the year’.
March 29, 2010 was supposed to be all about Teemu Selanne’s accomplishment of reaching 600 career goals. At times during the pregame ceremony it was difficult to hear the announcer over the roaring approval of 15,000+ fans. During the game, all anyone could talk about was would they see even more history? Every time the puck touched Selanne’s stick, you could feel the electric surge of anticipation as every single fan tried to telekinetically will that little piece of rubber into the net.
Then, 8:11 into the second period, it appeared the moment had arrived. The puck was at Selanne’s feet oh so tantalizingly close to the net. But did the Flash fire? Nope. Ever mindful that a team win is more important than individual accomplishment, he tapped it into the slot to Bonino who slipped it under Dallas goaltender Kari Lehtonen.
Joy and ecstasy on the ice. Hugs and headbutts all around. It was difficult to tell who was more excited, Bonino or his teammates.
Then it just got better and better. None other than Selanne retrieved the puck and handed it to him at the bench. If Bonino’s smile had been any broader, I swear the top of his head would have toppled to the ice.
During the interview, Bonino already sounded like a seasoned veteran, downplaying himself and praising his teammates. “When I get on this ice with Perry, Selanne, Niedermayer and Visnovsky out there, you really can’t do any wrong,” Bonino said. “The puck just bounced to me. I was in the right place at the right time.”
Picked up from Boston University in a trade with San Jose last Season, Bonino was centering the Ducks top line for the second game in a row while Ryan Getzlaf continued to allow a high ankle sprain to heal.
In past interviews, Bonino has stated he’s committed to getting bigger, faster and stronger; said he somewhat patterns his style of play after Pavel Datsyuk; dislikes criticisms that he lacks speed and he likes to use changes in speed to throw off the opposition. Oh, and he also enjoys long walks along the beach under a full moon, candlelit dinners and his favorite color is gold. (sorry, couldn’t resist)
First goal stories are nothing new to hockey, we all know that. But that doesn’t make each individual’s experience any less special. And that goes for just about any sport. I remember when Dodgers first baseman James Loney got his first big league base hit. After the game he was presented with first base! Is that cool or what?
Of course, a puck is a lot easier to frame, I would imagine.