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It seems like we were just ringing in 2023, and we’ve already reached the end of January. Before the month comes to a close, the last full week made sure to provide us with a few more interesting topics to discuss to start the week.
Matt Berlin Makes His NHL Debut
The Edmonton Oilers beating the Chicago Blackhawks was something many expected to happen on Saturday night.
But the Oilers finishing the night with a University of Alberta Golden Bears goaltender in the net was unexpected but easily one of the coolest moments of the season.
Due to Stuart Skinner battling an illness, the Oilers signed Berlin to an amateur tryout deal for the game against Chicago as a potential EBUG. The Oilers were firmly in control of this game, up 7-3 at a late stoppage.
Coach Jay Woodcroft, with Connor McDavid taking the lead among the players, decided to get Berlin into the game with just over two minutes left in the third period.
The night was a whirlwind for Berlin, who had to be convinced that going in to finish out the game wasn’t his new bench boss trying to be funny.
“I thought they were joking,” Berlin said post-game. “He (Woodcroft) said, ‘At the three-minute mark be ready to go. The first whistle after the three-minute mark, you’re going in.’ “
It was soon shown to be quite real to Berlin, and he made one save to leave his mark on the final score.
“It might be my most memorable save I’ve made my whole career,” Berlin said.
From being on a U Sports hockey roster studying for a psychology exam to debuting in the NHL on Hockey Night in Canada in half a day, this will be an experience Matt Berlin will never forget.
A D-Man Hat Trick Wasn’t Enough for Luke Hughes
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Hughes family produces talented kids.
With Jack and Quinn already in the league, the next sibling on the rise, Luke the New Jersey Devils prospect has been making an impact at the University of Michigan and this past weekend against Penn State, his name was all over the scoresheet.
Devils fans should be very excited when Luke makes his debut in Newark.
Go to a Hockey Game, Leave With a Car
Shooting a puck through a small hole in a net is a common intermission game in which fans can be chosen to participate. Almost every time, though, fans shoot from center ice.
At a Czech hockey game, this fan not only scored a goal to win a car, but he also did it with a shot from over 180 feet away, nearly the entire length of the ice.
When you look at the size of the hole and how far away he shot it from, this video will live on the internet for many years to come.
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