Joe Snively, making his NHL debut against the LA Kings, didn’t wait long to hit a big NHL milestone.
Crashing to the net, the Herndon, Virginia-native registered his first NHL point in front of his family and friends on a Connor McMichael goal.
Brett Leason made the play happen after forcing a turnover along the wall. McMichael picked up the puck and ran a give-and-go with Snively at the goal line. McMichael potted the rebound for his fourth career goal.
2nd Mikey goal I’ve seen in person.. 😭and local boy got a point as well. #Caps @molfully @lowerbodyinjury @russianmachine @vitekvanecek pic.twitter.com/C3OpG5mpYu
— julia (@casadoresdean) December 20, 2021
Snively was credited with the primary assist. His family was emotional after the goal.
Snively gets his first NHL point and his family is PUMPED! pic.twitter.com/t48iU3w8aB
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 20, 2021
“It was pretty thrilling,” Snively said at intermission to NBC Sports Washington’s Al Koken. “Nerves were going. Adrenaline was pumping. It was a lot of fun!”
Snively was also given the rookie treatment before the game, taking a few solo laps around the ice before the rest of the team joined him on the ice.
Snively played hockey as a kid for the Little Caps and celebrated the Capitals’ Stanley Cup championship in the streets outside Capital One Arena.
that's a happy, happy fam https://t.co/4iGSPHtzxs pic.twitter.com/SBnYYnOVEk
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 20, 2021
While a COVID-19 outbreak has zapped the Caps of many of their best players, the absences have given guys like Snively a chance to play when he wouldn’t otherwise.
Congratulations, Joe!
9️⃣1️⃣ for the hometown kid pic.twitter.com/mcsBOEZ27F
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 19, 2021
Screenshot: NBC Sports Washington
