Spicy pork and broccoli.
Posted at 3:30 p.m.
That’s what Louis Domingue ate between the first and second periods of overtime in the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
“It’s not great,” laughed the Quebecer after the game.
And yet. A few minutes after this satiation, he became the first goaltender in National League history to enter a playoff game in the second period of overtime.
Let’s recap.
Louis Domingue has evolved with the Penguins school club, in Wilkes-Barre / Scranton, practically all season. Except that the number 1 goalkeeper of the big club, Tristan Jarry, injured his foot on April 14. He is therefore absent for the start of the playoffs.
For the first playoff game on Tuesday, it was Jarry’s substitute, Casey DeSmith, who guarded the cage for Mike Sullivan’s squad. Domingue was his second.
As the 3-3 tie remained at the end of regulation time, there was a first period of overtime, which ended without a result. In the playoffs, overtime continues until there is a winner. What was not meant to happen happened: DeSmith suffered an injury midway through the second period of overtime and was forced to retire.
Domingue therefore came in relief. This same Domingue who has only played two regular games in the National League this season.
” I saw [Casey] coming to the bench and I wasn’t sure why there was a stoppage of play, he said. I knew the referees who were there, Jonny Murray and Frédérick L’Écuyer, two French speakers. I thought they were joking when they said I had to enter the game. After that, you go and play. »
It was crazy, but I guess it’s my life. It’s hockey.
Louis Domingo
Domingue blocked all 17 pucks aimed at him until the Penguins finally ended the debate in the third period of overtime.
“It’s something you prepare for as a second, explained the Quebecer. You must be ready at all times. The guys played really well in front of me when I was there. »
“Honestly, I felt good from the start,” he added. I didn’t feel any pressure. You dream about this all your life. You play in overtime in the playoffs. Are you fooling me? You would think I would be nervous in such a situation, but it was just fun for me. »
Six teams
At 29, Louis Domingue is currently on his sixth team on the Bettman circuit. Let’s say he hasn’t really experienced stability since he was first traded by the team that drafted him, the Arizona Coyotes, in November 2017.
The Saint-Hyacinthe native then spent a season and a half with the Tampa Bay Lightning, before being traded to New Jersey. He played 16 games with the Devils before being sent to the Vancouver Canucks, with whom he only played one game. He then signed as a free agent with the Calgary Flames in October 2020, then with the Penguins in September 2021.
He has come a long way. And not just a little.
“You never know how things are going to turn out, but I wanted to come back to the NHL this year and I think I put in the effort to get there,” he said. After that, I had a few opportunities here and there. It’s a matter of enjoying it. »
“I’m happy to be here, to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins,” he continued. It’s a whole team, and I’m lucky to be here. »
Everything indicates Domingue will be the starting goaltender for Game 2 of the series against the Rangers on Thursday night, as head coach Mike Sullivan said Casey DeSmith is being assessed on a day-to-day basis. Young Quebecer Alex D’Orio was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to assist Domingue.