Penguins rookie's 1st goal sends family into frenzy
Jake Guentzel emulates Mario Lemieux by scoring on 1st shot during 1st NHL shift
Shades of Mario Lemieux — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel scored on his first shot on his first NHL shift on Monday night.
There's nothing quite like your first NHL goal. <a href="https://t.co/JXHf8AP9eh">pic.twitter.com/JXHf8AP9eh</a>
—@penguins
For Guentzel, the goal will certainly be memorable but for the rest of us, his family's reaction stole the show.
Just one minute, two seconds into the first period, Guentzel slipped a shot past New York Rangers goaltender Antti Raanta, sending his family — particularly his brother Ryan — into a frenzy.
Guentzel Family throw their hat in the ring for family celly of the year. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYRvsPIT?src=hash">#NYRvsPIT</a> <a href="https://t.co/xuZgkNXJi8">pic.twitter.com/xuZgkNXJi8</a>
—@NHL
Despite his excitement, Ryan took to Twitter later in the period, poking fun at his own reaction.
When your brother scores first shift of first NHL game you may look like an idiot <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ohwell?src=hash">#ohwell</a> <a href="https://t.co/qVnVsBzSJU">pic.twitter.com/qVnVsBzSJU</a>
—@guentz27
For good measure, Guentzel scored his second career goal at 13:12 of the same period to make it 2-0 Penguins, although reportedly his family's reaction was a bit more tame the second time.
Make it goal number two in his NHL debut. What a start for <a href="https://twitter.com/jakenbake20">@jakenbake20</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYRvsPIT?src=hash">#NYRvsPIT</a> <a href="https://t.co/tg40rvImxE">pic.twitter.com/tg40rvImxE</a>
—@NHL
Although it was an incredible night for the Guentzel family, J.T. Miller scored short-handed to cap a second-period rally, helping the Rangers overcome an early two-goal deficit to beat the Penguins 5-2.
Guentzel, 22,made his debut against the same team that drafted his father Mike in the seventh round in 1981. His feat matched that of the now-Penguins owner Lemieux, who did it 32 years earlier.
The Penguins' 2013 third-round pick was recalled from the team's AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton earlier in the day. He had seven goals and 17 points in 16 AHL games, leading the team and ranking among the league leaders.
Guentzel is the fifth player in team history to score his first NHL goal on his first shift.
With files from The Associated Press