Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin and forward Bryan Rust each scored their first career National Hockey League goal in the team’s 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.
Neither player looked like a good bet to see a lot of NHL time this season, but with eight players sidelined with injuries or illnesses, the duo were a big part of the Penguins’ win.
“I was just happy to get in a game or two,” said Rust, who was called up last week but did not get into a game. He scored his first goal in just his second NHL game.
“I was just in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I’m happy it found me in the slot, and I was able to rifle it home.”
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Rust will be able to share the memory of his first goal with Dumoulin. The two have been playing together for most of the season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
“We were actually kind of joking around before the game,” Rust said about both players getting their first NHL goal.
“Rusty has been scoring goals down in the AHL, and it was good to see him come up here and do the same,” said Dumoulin.
Dumoulin’s goal wasn’t as pretty as Rust’s, as it was deflected in by Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, but they all count the same on the score sheet.
“I thought [Marcel] Goc had tipped it in front,” said Dumoulin. “I couldn’t believe that shot went in, but I’ll take it.”
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As is tradition, both player was presented with the puck that they scored with by Penguins equipment manager Dana Heinze.
First NHL Goal Pucks from tonight’s game – #36 Bryan Rust and #8 Brian Dumoulin – pucks were given to the players.
pic.twitter.com/Yu4GTPNuch— Dana Heinze (@RealDanaHeinze) December 16, 2014
“My dad and my mom, they’re definitely going to keep that one at the house,” said Dumoulin of his souvenir.
Photo credit: NHL
