SEATTLE | Charles Saidon-Courtois, one of the communications managers at the Canadiens, was holding a Kraken puck in his hands in the opposing team’s locker room. It was the puck of Jonathan Kovacevic’s first NHL goal.
Kovacevic’s eyes lit up when he looked at the black object with the Kraken logo.
“I was so happy when I saw the puck come in, I had been thinking about that first goal for a long time,” Kovacevic said with a smile. I felt like I was getting my chances. Sometimes I got a little nervous. It’s a dream to play a first match, it’s another dream to score a first goal. But it’s even better when you do it in a win. »
In the first period, the 25-year-old defender beat goaltender Martin Jones with a swept one-timer after a pass from Michael Matheson. Kirby Dach got the other pass on this play.
“We were starting to annoy him inside the locker room that he still didn’t have an NHL goal,” said Jake Allen. He just broke the ice. Good to see that. He didn’t have the easiest path to reaching the NHL. He made the necessary efforts to achieve this. I am happy for him. He is playing well for us. »
A good person
Martin St-Louis also had a smile on his face when talking about Kovacevic.
“It’s special, Kovy didn’t have the most traditional route to reach the NHL,” said the head coach. He played in an American university in Merrimack, he was claimed on waivers by the Canadian this year. I know a bit about his past and got to know the youngster. He is a very good hockey player, but an even better person. I’m happy for him. »