It was only a matter of time.
Kent Johnson had gotten close to pulling off a lacrosse-style goal for the Blue Jackets a couple times, but the rookie forward finally got it done Friday in a 5-4 overtime victory over New York Islanders at Nationwide Arena. Johnson, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft and a former Michigan Wolverines forward, completed a “Michigan goal” 27 years to the day that it was first done by former Michigan forward Mike Legg in an NCAA playoff game.
It was Johnson’s 15th goal of the season and broke a 2-2 tie that put the Blue Jackets in front with 2:54 left in the second period.
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Johnson’s play leading up to goal made it even more remarkable.
After stealing the puck from Brock Nelson with a stick-lift between the circles in the Islanders’ zone, he saw an open lane around the back of the net. After putting the puck between his legs for a toe-drag to get around defenseman Alexander Romanov to the outside, Johnson was in perfect position behind the net.
A quick flip of the puck onto his stick was followed by shoveling it just inside the top corner of the left goal post a second before a slash at Johnson’s stick by Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock – who stared at the Blue Jackets’ rookie in disbelief.
Johnson tilted his head back as if to say, “finally!” and the celebration began. The goal quickly went viral on social media, especially with the historical significance to Legg’s goal.
Oddly enough, Johnson never pulled the trick shot off during two seasons for Michigan. He’s now done it at the junior level in the British Columbia Hockey League, for Team Canada at last summer’s world junior championships and for the Blue Jackets.
With the win, the Blue Jackets moved into 31st place, percentage points ahead of the San Jose Sharks. Columbus has a game in hand.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets’ Kent Johnson scores lacrosse goal against Islanders
