Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Necas joined the century club, scoring his 100th career NHL goal in his 368th game, Thursday night against the Calgary Flames.
The Czech forward scored by putting home a fortunate rebound in the second period that gave Carlina a three-goal lead. It also ended up being the game-winner.
It’s been over six years since Necas scored his first goal: an off-the-rush one-timer against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 16, 2018.
If you’ll also recall, Necas swung so hard on the shot that he knocked himself off balance and fell to the ice as the puck entered the net, a shooting tendency he’d carry for at least another year or two.
Nowadays though, the speedy winger has mastered the left-circle bomb.
Necas, 25, is entering his sixth season as an NHL regular and the Canes are going to be relying on him more than ever before to provide offense.
And so far so good for the young star as he currently paces Carolina with eight points in six games.
Necas had a down year last season, with 24 goals but only 53 points after having 28 goals and 71 points the year before.
But now elevated back up to the first power play unit and solidly set in the top-six, Necas has the opportunity to be a big-time player for the Hurricanes again.
Scoring his 100th goal isn’t a bad way to start off the season, but Necas doesn’t plan to stop there.
“It’s time to add a few more.”
