No doubt about it, Alex Ovechkin’s hat trick (-plus) was the standout achievement of the Washington Capitals’ 6-1 drubbing of the Montreal Canadiens.
It wasn’t the only moment that made you really check the history books, and in this other case, it creates a new entry.
Nathan Walker, the first Australian born player to be drafted, played in his first NHL game. And in that first NHL game, he also managed his first goal. Watch the goal in the video above this headline.
Go ahead, let out a “Crikey.” His family probably won’t even mind.
❤️ @NathanWalks10 family. #GDayNate 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/LqPSSchXg8
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 8, 2017
If that wasn’t perfect and bizarre enough, consider that Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Joe Hockey(!) made sure to congratulate Walker.
First Aussie, first game, first goal.
— Joe Hockey (@JoeHockey) October 8, 2017
What a night for @NathanWalks10
Congratulations mate! https://t.co/13gMOTcbE0
As a reminder, Walker shares the night with Ovechkin. The all-world sniper enjoyed back-to-back games (actually, periods) with hat tricks and ended the night with seven goals in two games. (More about that here.)
First time in 💯 years! pic.twitter.com/1gVexV3UL9
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) October 8, 2017
It was a remarkable night for history being matched a century later - or for the first time - as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ scoring ways were also once in a generation-and-maybe-change.
#Leafs score 7 goals in back-to-back games to start a season for the first time since 1917 when they were the Arenas
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 8, 2017