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Goal of the year candidate: Aleksander Barkov goes between the legs to score sick breakaway goal

By Ian Oland

 2 Comments

February 18, 2019 2:12 am

Hi, I would like to report a crime. Aleksander Barkov just stole Carey Price’s dignity.

Sunday in Sunrise, the Florida Panthers beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-3. The Panthers were led by Aleksander Barkov, who had three goals, four points, and seven shots — all game highs — on the way to his second career hat trick.

But it was Barkov’s second goal of the night, which will be shown on highlight reels for the rest of time.

Video

17:49 into the second period, Barkov, already with one goal on the night, put the puck between his legs and shot it past Carey Price blocker side. He did so with Canadiens defenseman Victor Mete hanging on his back.

Nassssssty.

Barkov would later tally the hat trick 9:13 into the third period, scoring an unassisted even-strength goal.

“I mean, yeah, those are nice goals,” Barkov said after the game. “I think I’ve tried it like 17 times in my career and it worked (for) the first time so I’m kinda happy, but of course, more importantly, two points and a good win.

“I’ve seen those [types of goals] in the YouTube and in highlights, and I was just dreaming about maybe one day I can score that kind of goal,” he added. “It happened tonight, and of course I’m happy.”

“It’s not bad,” a deadpanning Jonathan Huberdeau said of the goal, before breaking into laughter. “It’s incredible how good this guy is. He’s so strong with the puck. At first, I didn’t think he went through his legs and I watched it again and I was like ‘well, that is impressive.’ He played so good tonight.”

“I actually fell down going to the net so I didn’t see it going in,” Panthers forward Frank Vatrano added. “Watching the replay it doesn’t really surprise you because he does things like that all the time. For him to make a big play like that with a guy on his back shows what a special talent he is. It’s incredible to see on a daily basis.”

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