Life always finds a way to surprise you. If not, just ask New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who found a way to score a goal in the NHL before fellow Russian goalie Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers.
Sorokin, 29, was credited the final goal of the Islanders‘ 7-4 win over the Nashville Predators on Saturday as he was the last member of his team to touch the puck before a bad pass from Predators forward Steven Stamkos ended in Nashville’s empty net.
Regardless of the feat, Sorokin admitted that the goal didn’t feel that special for him as he didn’t even shot the puck. However, he did make sure to take a little jab at Shesterkin.
“I knew I’d do it before Igor,” Sorokin said jokingly in reference to the Rangers goalie, via Ethan Sears of the New York Post Sports. The Islanders goalie now boasts a surprising feat that his fellow countryman and crosstown rival has yet to achieve.
Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers and Ilya Sorokin #30 of the New York Islanders warm up prior to the Discover NHL Tendy Tandem during the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills Competition at FLA Live Arena on February 03, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida.
Still, Sorokin wasn’t exactly thrilled with the way first NHL goal happened: “If I shot this goal, I think it would have been a different emotion. It’s just luck. It was a good save before. I remember that I touched the puck, but I’m not sure if I was last one.”
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Islanders HC Patrick Roy wishes to be in Sorokin’s place
Sorokin became only the 17th goalie to ever score a goal in the National Hockey League, with 20 total goalie goals in NHL history. Curiously, the first goalie to do so also played for the Islanders.
In 1979, Billy Smith paved the way for fellow goaltenders, with Martin Brodeur eventually setting the record for a goalie with three goals. Islanders head coach and former NHL goaltender Patrick Roy didn’t get to achieve the feat during his playing days, though he’d have loved to.
“It was part of my bucket list, to score a goal in my career,” Roy said, via NHL.com. “I’m sure he’s (Sorokin) pretty happy about it. Doesn’t matter how it goes in.”
Sorokin and Shesterkin set to face off in upcoming Rangers-Islanders
Sorokin has enough confidence with Shesterkin to poke some fun at his friend, though they’ll have to leave their friendship aside next time they take the ice. On Monday, March 3, the Madison Square Garden will host a must-watch showdown between the Rangers and Islanders in a new chapter of this NY rivalry.
The Islanders head into this game aiming to build on their last win to climb in the Metropolitan Division standings, where they sit 7th just one point shy of the Rangers. While this weekend left a fun moment, the priority for Sorokin and Shesterkin will be avoiding goals rather than scoring them.
