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Dustin Penner ruins several memes with first goal of season

Montreal Canadiens v Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 03: Dustin Penner #25 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens to trail 2-1 during the second period at Staples Center on December 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Harry How

For some Twitter snarksters, Dec. 3, 2011 carried a certain somber sadness. Sure, the jokes won’t go away altogether, but Dustin Penner finally scored a goal on Saturday. That one tally leaves/ties him at 510th place in the NHL, so it’s not like Penner gained respectability in one afternoon game against the Montreal Canadiens. Still, it’s undeniable that some of the humor will lose its luster after he finally found the twine.

Here’s video evidence of that not-so-historic goal.

(I must admit I’m a little disappointed that Penner opted against using Steve Young’s “monkey off my back” pantomime after scoring that goal.)

So it wasn’t a highlight reel goal by any means, but that’s actually the type of work that the Kings hope they’ll see more of: Penner in front of the net, cleaning up the garbage.

The best Kings humorists will still find a way to mine gold from Penner’s decrepit stats, but again, some of the innocence (or maybe guilt?) was lost in that unspectacular goal. Before we go, allow me to submit a stat that’s a lot sadder than it is funny: Penner scored 100 percent of the Kings’ goals on Saturday.