They say that your first shift in the NHL is the most nerve-wracking. For years, I’ve heard countless players say that the whole time leading up to their first game they were just focused on getting out there and getting their first shift over with. After that, the nerves calm a bit more.
You can not see a single ounce of those nerves on Owen Power during his first shift in the NHL. Power, who just signed with Buffalo last week after Michigan’s elimination in the Frozen Four, made his NHL debut tonight. Power suited up in number 25 for the Buffalo Sabres as they were set to face the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before the game even started, he got to do the customary rookie lap and it warmed my frozen heart:
That wasn’t all for the kid either. Right after the puck drops, the kid gets his first nod. As I mentioned earlier, you couldn’t tell this was the kid’s first time on NHL ice. While Power is on the ice, he kept his cool even when Auston Matthews and Mark Giordano (not a big deeeal) tried teaming up to take a sneaky early lead. They seemed to forget that right between them is the first overall draft pick in his NHL debut, he’s not letting that get past him:
Power does what he does best, gets in, saves the day, and gets back out. He didn’t let those first shift scaries hit and now he’s already done with his first NHL game. Power helped the Sabres beat the Maple Leafs 5-2. Power played 19:28, and registered 1 hit, 1 blocked shot, 1 takeaway, and a +2 rating – which is great for his first game. He helped shut down the whirlwind Matthews on goal attempts when it was still early and kept things together real well for Buffalo. They were able to get some confidence going and win this game. There is a bright future ahead for this kid and I can’t wait to watch it unfold.
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Featured Image: Buffalo Sabres Twitter
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