The New York Islanders were all smiles on Tuesday night, and perhaps nobody smiled wider than DU alum Matt Donovan. The rookie collected his first career NHL goal in a 6-1 rout of the Phoenix Coyotes at the Coliseum.
With the Islanders leading, 2-0, and on a power play in the second period, Donovan ripped a slap shot from the blue line that Phoenix goalie Mike Smith initially seemed to gobble up. A split-second later, the puck trickled through Smith and found its way past the goal line at 11:47, resulting in a delayed but genuine grin from the 23-year-old defenseman.
“I was on my way back to the bench for a change and I heard everyone celebrating and turned around and saw it was in,” Donovan said. “I still don’t think it’s really hit me. It’s a good feeling and I hope there’s more to come.”
