The Tampa Bay Lightning has taken a 2-1 lead in the Cup final series, beating the Dallas Stars 5-2 in Game 3.
However, the biggest talking point of the night was the return of Steven Stamkos.
The Lightning star returned from a lower-body injury and played in his first game since Feb. 25. And he scored a goal only one single player have managed in history.
In his return, Stamkos scored the second Lightning goal of the night, playing a total of five shifts for 2:47.
“It was just an amazing experience to share with my teammates,” Stamkos said post-game. “There’s been a lot of hard work and different things going on behind the scenes. Just to be able to get out in a game and have an impact in a game which a month ago may have never been possible. It was amazing to be part of a huge win for us. I was just really happy to obviously contribute in a game that I didn’t play too much.”
Stamkos became only the second player in NHL history, and the first in over 80 years, to score a goal while skating in his first game of the playoffs, during the Stanley Cup Final.
Billy Taylor Sr did it also, in the 1940 Final against the New York Rangers.
For the fans, seeing Stamkos score in his return sure was something special. And it only gets better seeing the Lightning play-by-play radio announcer Dave Mishkin calling it.
Mishkin’s know for his energetic style, having had plenty of highlight calls during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
And calling the Stamkos goal last night, sure was something special.
You gotta love the excitement Dave brings to the game, and to be honest, makes it feel like things are back to normal, at least in the world of hockey.
Watch the amazing call down below.
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