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Anisimov apologizes for gun-shooting celebration

Anisimov Getty

Speaking publicly for the first time since last night’s controversial goal celebration, New York Rangers forward Artem Anisimov apologized to the Tampa Bay Lightning today.

“I didn’t mean something by it. It’s just my celebration and, when I score goals, I want to do something unusual. I apologize to Tampa,” Anisimov said. “I never do that celebration again. It’s a good lesson for me...no more shooting.”

Anisimov claimed the idea for the celebration -- pretending his stick was a gun to shoot the opposing team -- came from Ilya Gorokhov, his teammate with Yaroslavl of the KHL. (Oddly enough, Gorokhov was a former Rangers draft pick, taken 195th overall at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.)

“When he scored a goal, every goal he celebrated like this,” said Anisimov. “I watched him and I liked it and I told myself when I play NHL and I score I want to do the same thing.”

PHT related: TSN’s Top-10 goal celebrations

Hey, what’s with Tampa Bay being on the receiving end of these? I forgot Alex Ovechkin’s “hot stick” routine was also against the Lightning.