Arizona Coyotes rookie forward Conor Garland has been on a roll that continued Saturday when he scored his fifth goal in the last four games.
Saturday night's goal, however, came at a price.
With the Coyotes and host Edmonton Oilers tied 1-1 in the second period, Garland scored after a shot from teammate Jordan Oesterle went off his face and into the back of Edmonton's net to give the Yotes the lead.
The goal certainly looked as painful as it sounds. But being a true hockey player, the 22-year-old Garland headed to the locker room with a smile on his face, did an interview with FOX Sports after the period to discuss the play, and returned to score the game-winner in third period (not off his face this time) to give the Coyotes a 3-2 win.
Warning: Not for the squeamish!
Conor Garland gives the @ArizonaCoyotes the lead... with his face. 🙈
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 13, 2019
(maybe don't watch this if you're squeamish. or do, whatever, up to you.) pic.twitter.com/EZlvAdHKok
Conor Garland just scored one of the toughest goals ever. Getting up after being cross-checked, takes Oesterle wrist shot off face — deflecting it in. Bloodied, goes to room.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 13, 2019
Conor Garland just scored one of the toughest goals ever. Getting up after being cross-checked, takes Oesterle wrist shot off face — deflecting it in. Bloodied, goes to room.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 13, 2019
An interview with Conor Garland after the incident:
Ain't no thang.
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) January 13, 2019
(If you're Conor Garland.) pic.twitter.com/neUmyEPZyu
Garland, a Massachusetts native who was selected by the Coyotes in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft, has scored eight goals in just 17 games with the Coyotes. On Saturday, he became the sixth rookie in franchise history to score in four consecutive games, and the first to do so in nearly 26 years.
