After waiting for a long time, Zach Fukal finally got his first start in the NHL. In his debut, his performance was perfect.
In the 2-0 defeat of the Detroit Red Wings by the Capitals, Fukale made 21 saves. By not conceding a goal, Fukale became the first Capitals goalkeeper to be eliminated in the NHL debut in the history of the team. According to Capital Public Relations, he was also the seventh goalkeeper in NHL history who was 26 or older and was eliminated in their NHL debut.
"I've never been speechless," Focale told NBC Sports Washington after the game. "This is one of the greatest moments of my hockey career... what a great defensive game everyone played here."
In the busy first quarter of the game, Focale made 11 stops for the Red Wings and rejected 8 high-crisis meetings.
Hand team! pic.twitter.com/sMzpfWVPq8
-Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 12, 2021
"He started with the first shot," Lars Eller said during the intermission of the first game. "He looks good. He got the first shot, he got the rebound. He played very well."
Zach Fucale's parents Jack and Kathryn watched their son's NHL debut in Detroit. Jack is wearing a Hershey Bears sweatshirt, and his fist can be seen after saving his son in the fancy hockey card made earlier in the second stage.
— Ian Oran (@ianoland) November 12, 2021
The Capitals played better in the second half of the game. Fucale made four saves in the second quarter and only needed six more shots in the third quarter to ensure his first NHL victory in his NHL debut.
At the end of the last few minutes, Focale said that he told himself in his heart, "Just to continue to use the same system I have been using, it has been saving me. That's all I care about. It's a beautiful day. ."
At the end of the game, Focale slipped out of the crease and was besieged when he accepted the cheerful face washing of his teammates. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin picked up Fucale's landmark puck from the ice.
@Fucale31 is awesome!
You know Ovi saved the game ice hockey for him 😊 pic.twitter.com/R773an6aFK
-NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) November 12, 2021
At the same time, in the stands of the Little Caesars Arena, when the buzzer sounded, Focal's family, including his parents Jack and Catherine, cheered for Zac. In the case of her mother, she started sobbing.
The first goalkeeper in capital history to shine in his NHL debut
Go away, @Fucale31‼ ️ pic.twitter.com/MPNjMnQ3j1
-Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 12, 2021
"It's too untrue," Fucale began to weep when talking about the family's reaction. "My parents have been with me for a great time, but there are also some really difficult times, which I think is great. There are a lot of people who helped me get here. There are a lot of people who don’t believe me helped me. This is a The effort of the team. My family is part of it. This is a great moment."
Just before the Capitals flew to Detroit, Focale learned of his first announcement on Wednesday. According to Samantha Pell of The Washington Post, Fucale’s parents rushed to Michigan for the race, Jack drove from Montreal, and Kathryn from Toronto (work trip) ).
Talk about NHL debut, @Fucale31.#NHLStats: https://t.co/3s3HUgMLJc pic.twitter.com/ZvJQscPom2
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 12, 2021
Capitals coach Peter Ravellot said: "It was great to watch him return to the locker room and the players watered him and cheered him."
After being selected by the Montreal Canadiens with the 36th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, Focalay ushered in the eighth year of his career on Thursday. During this period, he played for 14 different teams in QMJHL, ECHL, AHL, DEL and NHL.
"[Yes] Many times sometimes I don't believe it," Fukal said. "Sometimes it's hard to believe it, but I persevered. Very resilient, I just keep playing, keep learning, keep going. Here we are. Wow!"
Probably our favorite interview, so we had to post the whole thing 🥰@Fucale31 will never forget this moment. pic.twitter.com/vFePX4jBgj
-NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) November 12, 2021
The Russian machine never stops. It has nothing to do with the Washington capital; monumental sports, the NHL or its property. Not at all.
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