It was on Dec. 14, 2022 that Beaver Valley Nitehawks alumnus Jake Lucchini made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators.
Now the Trail product has kicked off 2023 with his first NHL goal, which was also the winner in a 3-1 final against the Buffalo Sabres.
Lucchini restored Ottawa to a 2-1 lead at 11:45 when he drove to the net and scored backdoor on a power-play.
You absolutely LOVE to see it! 🚨👏#GoSensGo | @jakelucchini pic.twitter.com/a9KbWKWenW
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) January 2, 2023
“When the puck squirted out, knowing that you have a chance to score your first goal, you get pretty excited,” Lucchini said on NHL.com. “My eyes opened up pretty big. Just so excited. Obviously, it’s something I’ve dreamed about my whole life. It might be my last first goal, I think, so it was unbelievable.”
That was Lucchini’s fifth game with the Senators, playing a season-high 13:39. He has collected a shot on goal in every game he has played, including three against Boston on Dec. 27.
Lucchini played in the KIJHL for part of the 2011-12 season then made the jump to the BCHL with his hometown Trail Smoke Eaters where he was coached by current Sicamous Eagles coach Nick Deschenes.
Here is more on Lucchini.
