Andrei Svechnikov is a magician, and he proved it yet again on Tuesday.
Svechnikov has scored a couple of lacrosse-style goals earlier in his career, and on Tuesday came No. 3, as he opened the scoring with a breathtaking goal against the Boston Bruins.
Svechnikov came with a lot of speed behind the goal and took goalie Jeremy Swayman by surprise as he cradled the puck with his stick blade and then flicked it into the net.
The goal was his 19th of the season and undoubtedly the best one. Postgame, he was praised by teammates and coaches.
“He’s kind of revolutionized it,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “That one was impressive — how fast it was. And again, that’s a big goal in the game.”
Svechnikov is, together with Trevor Zegras, the lacrosse master of the NHL. It’s very rare to see a Michigan goal scored, but the Canes’ superstar now has three in his career.
And Jeremy Swayman, who allowed the goal, was impressed.
Postgame, he had a hilarious quote about his feelings after the goal.
”He’s so good at that,” said Swayman, per Shawn Hutcheon. ”I couldn’t believe it. It was my goal to never get Michiganned. That was put in the toilet today.”
Apparently, Swayman added that Svechnikov is ’so good,’ and repeated it four times.
On social media, Swayman was praised for his honest words about the goal and for giving credit to Svechnikov.
”Good sport, Swayman,” one said.
”Honestly a pretty funny quote just reading it. Would love to see the vid of that back and forth just to see the facial expression,” another said.
