After struggling for much of the playoffs, a former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman found the highlight reel.

PITTSBURGH – For most of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Cody Ceci has struggled mightily. With the season on the line in Game 7 of the second round, Ceci found some success to help push the Edmonton Oilers into the Western Conference Final.

After a scoreless first period between the Oilers and Vancouver Canucks, Ceci opened the scoring. Before the Canucks could get a third shot on goal in the game, Ceci gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead.

From a perfect face-off win by the Oilers, the puck made its way to Ceci, who let go a perfect shot from the point. Through traffic, Canucks goalie Arturs Silovs didn’t stand much chance of making a save.

For much of the game that followed, it looked like Ceci’s tally would end up being the game-winner. The Oilers went up 3-0 and held that lead until about nine minutes remained. The Canucks managed to score twice, but it was too little too late, as the Oilers won 3-2, punching their ticket to the Western Conference Final.

Most of Ceci’s struggles stemmed from him sharing a line with Darnell Nurse. The Oilers separated the two and have already found a better rhythm. Ceci’s goal was his second of the postseason and assisted by Brett Kulak.

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