Sometimes you need a lucky bounce to help you break the ice.
After 66 NHL games, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Brandon Manning was still looking for his first NHL goal. He found it with a little help from an unintentional participant: the officials.
A defensive clearing attempt from Philadelphia’s Andrew MacDonald deflected off linesman Scott Cherrey and bounced off the boards, slowing considerably. The puck skittered past referee Jean Hebert, where Manning picked it up and fired a top-shelf, glove-side blast to give the Flyers the lead.
“It’s been a long time coming. Your first, everyone says you always remember it,” Manning told CSN Philly. “I think the biggest thing is being able to contribute in games like this and situations like this.”
Manning likely never figured the officials would be a part of that situation.
