Some might be surprised that little-known Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck earned his first career shutout against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 1-0 win on Sunday.
For Hellebuyck, it sounds like it was a long-time coming, or at least it felt that way.
The rookie apparently believed he had been on the verge of that elusive first NHL goose egg for some time.
Connor Hellebuyck used the word "finally" when talking about milestone of 1st #NHL shutout. "He's been waiting weeks," Paul Maurice quipped
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) December 28, 2015
Hellebuyck also provided a nice highlight-reel save to go with his first career shutout, as you can see in the video above this post. Of course, Tyler Myers deserves plenty of credit, too.
Tyler Myers preserved a shutout with his FACE.
— NHL (@NHL) December 28, 2015
Twice.https://t.co/MkZU8JGUy6
"Tonight with the help of Tyler Myers, I finally achieved it." -Hellebuyck on his first NHL shut out.https://t.co/Nrp0OBMykb
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) December 28, 2015
Bryan Little provided the only goal of the game, which came via a penalty shot.
Per @EliasSports: @NHLJets are the third team in NHL history to earn a 1-0 regulation win via a penalty shot goal: pic.twitter.com/PaCRYfrjGF
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 28, 2015