Macklin Celebrini scored his first goal, unofficially, as the San Jose Sharks beat Utah HC 3-2 in the first game of the 2024 Rookie Faceoff.
Macklin Celebrini scored his first goal, unofficially, as the San Jose Sharks beat Utah HC 3-2 in the first game of the 2024 Rookie Faceoff.
In his usual spot on the powerplay, the right flank, Celebrini faked a slapshot, stepped toward the middle of the ice, and beat the goalie five hole.
Although it technically doesn't count as his first goal as a member of the Sharks, scoring a goal with the team's uniform on is a big accomplishment.
"It felt really good. Changing before the game and then warm-ups, putting the jersey on, it kind of came real, and it was a good feeling," Celebrini said postgame. "I've played there a bunch. It's like anything, the more time you spend there, the more comfortable you are there. For some reason [that's] where I always get put."
Head coach John McCarthy gave Celebrini rave reviews during his postgame availability.
"I was impressed with Celebrini's competitiveness on loose pucks," McCarthy said. "He always seems to come out [with the puck]."
Celebrini played on a line with Kasper Halttunen and Carson Wetsch. Wetsch eventually was swapped out for Ethan Cardwell, who scored the game-winning goal.
"I think it's good for him. It's confidence building," McCarthy said about Celebrini scoring a goal in his debut. "I thought just the way that he played the game, the puck is on his stick almost every time he's on the ice. He controls the game when he's on the ice, and it's good to see him get the goal."
Luke Grainger scored the other goal for the Sharks.
The team's next Rookie Faceoff game is Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
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The Hockey News