Danil Gushchin wasn’t certain he would get this chance this season. Kyle Criscuolo doubtless didn’t suppose he would get this chance in any respect.
Each had a dream come true Saturday after vastly completely different journeys thus far.
Gushchin, a 21-year-old rookie from Russia, and Criscuolo, a 30-year-old Harvard grad and relative journeyman, each scored their profession NHL objectives Saturday because the San Jose Sharks beat the Arizona Coyotes 7-2 at Mullett Enviornment in Tempe.
Noah Gregor had his first NHL hat trick within the win, and Erik Karlsson had 4 assists to offer him 95 factors for the season.
However they shared the highlight with Criscuolo and Gushchin, who have been recalled from the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL on Saturday morning, as Oskar Lindblom remained in San Jose with an upper-body harm he suffered Thursday and Alexander Barabanov remained out with a lower-body ailment.
Criscuolo and Gushchin bought a chance with the large membership — and took full benefit.
“It felt actually good to look at these guys get pleasure from it, irrespective of how previous you might be,” Sharks coach David Quinn mentioned. “It’s a reasonably particular second to look at somebody rating their first NHL aim.”
A second to recollect for Danil Gushchin 🤩 pic.twitter.com/WRC9iVrusF
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 2, 2023
The flashy aim by Gushchin, who was taking part in in his first NHL recreation, got here on the 1:41 mark of the second interval. With the Sharks on the ability play, Gushchin took a cross from Karlsson and rifled the puck previous Coyotes goalie Ivan Prosvetov, who may barely react.
The rebound got here up to now out after it hit the bar contained in the again of the online that Karlsson needed to seize the memento puck close to the blue line.
“Fairly thrilling second for certain,” Gushchin mentioned. “First NHL recreation and first aim. Good cross by Karl. Good shot, too, I feel.”
Gushchin moved to the U.S. from his hometown of Yekaterinburg, Russia when he was simply 16 as he started to play with Muskegon of the USHL. He dominated that league as he acclimated himself to a brand new continent, and was drafted by the Sharks within the third spherical in 2020.
Gushchin then had 71 factors in 51 video games with Niagara of the OHL in 2021-22, and in his first full season as a professional, has 36 factors in 61 video games with the Barracuda.
“Generally we lose sight of the influence that may make on a participant and the way it can have an effect on their play,” Quinn mentioned of youngsters transferring away from dwelling. “For him to come back over right here and chase his dream and never be sidetracked, it’s fairly exceptional, actually, when you consider it.”
Gushchin, who was stunned to get known as up, mentioned his father did all the pieces to assist him change into a professional.
“It’s thrilling for me and my household,” Gushchin mentioned. “Earlier than my first recreation, each coach informed me, ‘simply shoot puck,’ and it’ll go in. So, I attempted my finest.”
Since leaving Harvard in 2016, Criscuolo has 202 factors in 361 AHL video games with 5 groups. However earlier than Saturday, he had solely performed in 15 NHL video games, most lately with the Detroit Purple Wings final season.
To bolster the Barracuda’s ahead depth, and so as to add some management to a largely younger crew, Criscuolo was acquired by the Sharks from Detroit in January, and he remained within the AHL till Saturday.
30-year-old Kyle Criscuolo scores his first NHL aim 🤩 pic.twitter.com/1F4mBOJNq3
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 2, 2023
Within the first interval towards the Coyotes, Criscuolo took a free puck away from Nick Schmaltz within the impartial zone, raced in alone on Prosvetov, and beat him low to the glove aspect.
“I don’t suppose (Prosvetov) was anticipating it to occur so rapidly, so he was a little bit deep in his internet,” Criscuolo mentioned. “I simply tried to go below his glove, and it was superb when it went in.”
Like Gushchin, Criscuolo, too, was pondering of his father.
“I in all probability watched each single first aim the NHL’s ever posted, simply dreaming about this present day,” Criscuolo mentioned. “It’s been an extended journey, simply tremendous thrilling.
“It’s my dad’s sixty fifth birthday in the present day, too, so, I feel I’m going to cancel my reward for him and simply give him the puck.”
The Sharks have now gained three straight video games for simply the second time this season, as they continue to be in twenty ninth place within the NHL standings.
In different phrases, they haven’t had many feel-good nights. This was one among them.
“You are feeling actually good to your gamers,” Quinn mentioned. “It’s been a troublesome yr and to play the way in which we did and get rewarded on the rating sheet, it feels good.”