The adjective the announcers use to describe this goal is Datsyukian (“of or relating to Pavel Datsyuk”), but to me it was absolutely Isaiah Riderian. Watch in amazement as Detroit Red Winger Todd Bertuzzi grabs the Blackhawks goaltender by the jersey and literally punches him in the back of the head with a between-the-legs shootout goal torn from the pages of the latest Research and Development camp highlight video.
Harrison Mooney of Puck Daddy gives us the play-by-play:
It’s the threat of [Tampa Bay Lightning’s] Marek Malik’s world-renowned between-the-legs shootout goal that causes goaltender Alexander Salak to cheat to his right. Once he does, Bertuzzi passes the puck forward to himself, then flips the puck up over Salak’s left pad instead.
The NHL season hasn’t even started yet, and we already have a contender for best shootout goal. It’s going to be a fun year.
Say what you will about Bertuzzi (and you will), but it’s a hell of a goal.
Compare and contrast:
Or, if you’d prefer:
