Empty Netter by the G.O.A.T
January 9th saw a very special goal by a very special player. Goaltender Pekka Rinne scored an empty-net goal against the Chicago Blackhawks from behind his own net.
Late in the third period, Nashville was winning the game 4-2. Chicago had pulled their goaltender to try to even the game. The puck floated behind Rinne, and the rest is history:
He skated to the puck and with a hard shot sent it down the entire length of the rink. The puck neared the empty goal, bounced a bit and went in.
What a time to be alive and be a Predators fan. And that moment came at a rough time as Peter Laviolette was just fired and the team was really at rock bottom.
Once they realized what had just happened, the other Nashville players on the ice surrounded Rinne congratulating him, which makes this moment even more amazing.
The Nashville bench erupted and encouraged Rinne to skate past the bench for celebratory fist bumps. Being the humble guy that he is, he declined.
Rinne became the second goaltender in Nashville Predators’ history to record a goal behind Chris Mason. This has to be the greatest highlight of this season so far, even going way back in franchise history.
This crazy season has had its ups and downs. With the season on pause and all of us missing hockey, we hope that these memorable moments have somehow brightened your day.