The goal took place with 7 minutes 2 seconds left in the second period, and happened simply because Joshua was hustling, working, crashing the net. Kyle Clifford’s backhander bounced off the stick of Ducks goalie John Gibson and then struck Joshua and went into the net without touching his stick.
The native of Dearborn, Mich., who played at Ohio State was beaming after the play. Can you blame him?
Joshua said he thought the puck hit him, “right in the midsection. I’m not too sure, it all happened really fast. A nice, greasy go-to-the net goal.”
The goal was announced in the Honda Center as being scored by “Dalton” Joshua. Hey, he’s not exactly a household name.
“Great to see that energy from Dak’s goal there,” said David Perron, who jump-started a three-goal second period for the Blues with his seventh score of the season. “He was sitting a little in front of me in the locker room (pregame), and to see his energy, a little bit of his nervousness, kind rubbed off on me.”
And perhaps the rest of the team, too. Even coach Craig Berube, not exactly the sentimental type, appreciated the moment.
“I’m very happy for him and proud of him,” Berube said. “To come in there and get a goal in his first game in the NHL, that’s a huge thing for a young kid like that.”
