Making your NHL debut is a significant moment, even if the circumstances aren`t ideal.
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Olivier Rodrigue celebrated his NHL debut on Friday night. This came after the team`s starter, Calvin Pickard, was taken out of the game after conceding five goals.
Earlier on Sunday, the 24-year-old Rodrigue was urgently called up by the Oilers to act as backup, due to an injury to their usual starter, Stuart Skinner.
Rodrigue stepped onto the ice at the beginning of the third period. Pickard had just allowed five goals in the second period alone – a record for the Kraken for the most goals scored in a single period at their home arena.
Pickard`s difficulties escalated in the second period when the Kraken scored three times in quick succession. Goals from Jani Nyman, Matty Beniers, and Andre Burakovsky within just over two minutes shifted a close game into a significant lead for Seattle.
Burakovsky`s goal highlighted the period, scoring into a largely undefended net after receiving a pass, with Pickard positioned too aggressively to one side.
This season, playing for the Bakersfield Condors, Rodrigue has recorded a 3.05 goals-against average and a save percentage of .899 over 40 games.
Originally from Chicoutimi, Quebec, Rodrigue was drafted by the Oilers in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, as the 62nd overall pick.
Tristan Blackwood