With a bright smile and bright eyes, Quebec native Brandon Gignac carefully held the puck in the Canadiens' locker room for his first career goal in the National Hockey League. He promised to give it to his father Richard.
“We'll give it to dad, I gave him the one from my first goal in the juniors, [celle de] “My first puck in the American League and this puck from my first in the National League also goes to Dad,” Gignac said after the Habs’ 5-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
• Also read: Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki devour ducks
“It's a magical moment for me,” described the 26-year-old striker from Repentigny, who received warm applause from the audience. I had goosebumps on the bench, especially at the Bell Center, with another win.”
Brandon Gignac with the puck from his first NHL goal in the Canadian locker room. Photo Benoit Rioux
Gignac played his fourth game in a Canadian jersey and his fifth overall in the NHL.
“It's the only game my parents haven't been to since I've been here,” Gignac lamented. You saw it from the house.”
Guhle's generosity
This famous goal was the fifth and final of the night for the Habs. He scored his goal just under three minutes before the end of the third period. Defender Kaiden Guhle gave Gignac the decisive moment with a beautiful pass in the slot.
“Guhle could have escaped there, but he was super generous to me,” emphasized Gignac himself.
“A first goal in the NHL, no one can take that away from you,” commented head coach Martin St-Louis. It’s an extraordinary moment for a hockey player and it’s special to experience it at home at the Bell Center.”
White game for Primeau
While Gignac celebrated his first goal, goalkeeper Cayden Primeau recorded his first shutout in the Bettman circuit.
“I tried not to think about it too much until maybe the last minute,” Primeau admitted of that shutout requiring just 13 saves.
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The security guard was happy to experience this for the first time at the same time as his friend Brandon.
“He's a good guy, we've known each other for a few years, first in Laval, then now here,” said Primeau. I’m really happy for him and it’s special to get my first shutout at the same time.”
Forwards Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky each had three points, but they didn't have as pretty smiles as Gignac and Primeau. It was also the first game with three or more points in the NHL for Slafkovsky!