Cal Foote might not have been in the line-up Saturday night if Erik Cernak was ready to play. The rookie defenseman made the most of his opportunity by scoring the first goal of NHL career at the 6:41 mark of the second period against the Nashville Predators.
Cal Foote with his first career #NHL goal as heard on @BoltsRadio with @DaveMishkin and @PhilEspo7 pic.twitter.com/RZz2y8FvLA
— Lightning Radio (@BoltsRadio) January 31, 2021
The Lightning had an excellent shift in the build-up to the goal. A Predator had lost his stick and the Bolts kept pressing. They worked the puck around the perimeter of the zone and Foote slid up into the right circle. Mikhail Sergachev put the puck right into Foote’s wheelhouse and the rookie doesn’t hesitate.
One of his biggest attributes is his ability to get the puck on net and the shot finds a little space between Pekka Rinne and the near post.
While he won’t be challenging Victor Hedman for the lead in goals by defenseman anytime it won’t be the last goal he scores in his career. During his time with the Syracuse Crunch he scored 17 goals in 144 games.
