:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50949945/609356062.0.jpg)
Today is John Tavares’ birthday and midway through the second period of Team Canada’s game against Team USA at the World Cup of Hockey, the Islanders captain decided he wanted to take defenseman Matt Niskanen as his personal party favor.
Skating in on goalie Jonathan Quick with Patrice Bergeron, Tavares put the puck between Niskanen’s legs, then sent it across the crease where it ricocheted off Ryan McDonagh’s foot and in.
I mean, seriously...
For his 26th birthday, @91Tavares got himself spot on the highlight reel.#WCH2016 pic.twitter.com/WQAmx8YhDS
— #WCH2016 (@NHL) September 21, 2016
Day after update: Here it is again in glorious real time and real sound. Thanks to afro for the link.
It’s credited to Bergeron now, but they’re not gonna deny Tavares that goal on his birthday, right? C’mon, guys.
The goal made the score 4-1 Canada - Matt Duchene had two goals in the first period - in a game Team USA desperately needs to win to stay alive in Group A.
Gonna be tough to do without Niskanen now.
RIP Matt Niskanen, who just died from hockey
— Kurt (@Kurt_BSH) September 21, 2016
In a couple of hours, pieces of Niskanen's jock strap will begin floating down onto the west coast, descending from high in the atmosphere
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) September 21, 2016
Happy Birthday, John.