Brady Skjei, the former Gophers star defenseman from Lakeville, scored his first NHL goal Sunday.
Skjei's one-timer off a faceoff late in final seconds of the second period deflected off a New Jersey Devils skater for the New York Rangers' third goal in the 5-0 victory.
"It was awesome," Skjei told media after the game. "I've been waiting awhile and you know I got a lucky bounce, but I'll take it for sure. I was just tying to get a quick shot on net and kind of one-timer to place it up there, and got a lucky bounce and it went in."
Skjei was named the game's third star and awarded the Broadway Hat for game MVP by his teammates.
The former first-round NHL draft pick has scored one goal and has 15 assists in 42 career games with the Rangers. He totaled eight goals and 19 assists while providing a strong defensive presence in three seasons with the Gophers.
"He's been playing really well for us," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "He seemed real happy."
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