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First NHL goal part of memorable night for Red Wings rookie Anthony Mantha

MiHockey Staff
(Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey)
(Photo by Andrew Knapik/MiHockey)

By @StefanKubus –

DETROIT – It couldn’t have been a better scenario for Anthony Mantha.

With less than three minutes to play in the second period and Detroit on a power play, Mantha parked his 6-foot-5 frame right in front of 6-foot-2 Montreal Canadiens netminder Ben Scrivens. Brad Richards took a slap shot from the left circle, which generated a rebound. Mantha was able to spin around and bang home for his first National Hockey League goal against the team he grew up watching in Longueuil, Quebec.

Though it put Detroit up 4-0 at the time, it proved to be the game-winner when it was all said and done, too. Not bad for a home debut.

“Incredible feeling, I didn’t think it was going to be a game-winner at first, but we had to battle hard through that third period and ended up winning the game so it’s huge,” Mantha said.

The Red Wings rookie forward had a number of family and friends in attendance at Thursday night’s game at Joe Louis Arena, a game that saw Detroit top the Habs, 4-3, for a crucial two points in the standings.

His parents, friends and even his grandparents were on-hand to witness his first NHL goal. Mantha’s grandfather is 79-year-old Andre Pronovost, a former Red Wings forward – from 1962-65 – and a four-time Stanley Cup champion with Montreal from 1957-60. He also skated for the Muskegon Mohawks of the IHL from 1969-71.

“It’s unbelievable,” Mantha said of having all the support present. “Obviously, my grandparents were pretty happy, parents also that I saw. Obviously, my friends were probably jumping everywhere. One of my buddies told me that he was gonna go around the rink screaming if I scored, so it’s unbelievable.”

Make no mistake; Mantha certainly had to pay the price Thursday night before recording the goal.

“I kind of had a feeling that the hockey gods were gonna reward me after getting high-sticked twice in the first and second period, so I just had to battle my way through and I did and just a great goal,” Mantha said.

“It’s a greasy goal, as we say. The first one wasn’t gonna be pretty. I had to battle my way through and that rebound was perfect, just had to tap it in.”

Wings defenseman Brendan Smith said no matter what kind of goal it is, the first one is always special.

“It’s great, I still remember mine against Minnesota, so it’s your first one; even if it’s greasy, mine was really greasy, it’s still my favorite goal,” Smith said. “It’s a good feeling. He’ll take it forever and I’m excited that he was able to get it against Montreal, too, hometown, so that’s pretty cool. He had all his family and his grandfather here, so you know what, that’s a pretty cool thing. If you’ve been watching him, he’s made some great plays and he’s had great chances and it’s gonna happen and it was nice that it happened against Montreal.”

Riley Sheahan, who had a pair of goals in the win, echoed Smith’s thoughts.

“It’s awesome, you always like seeing that,” Sheahan said. “I think each guy remembers their first goal and remembers the memory from it, so it’s good that Mantha got that and he’s been doing great for us and we’re all really happy for him.”

After going his first three games without a point despite a number of quality chances along the way, Mantha picked up his first assist Tuesday in Tampa Bay and now has points in back-to-back contests.

Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill is familiar with Mantha, having coached him in Grand Rapids, and said getting the first one could help act as a springboard for Mantha going forward offensively.

“I think when you score your first one, it’s certainly weight off your shoulders,” Blashill said. “He’s been playing well and getting chances, and when they’re not going all of a sudden you can start squeezing it, so it was good for him for it to go in. I think it’ll help him and he doesn’t get too uptight, but you’re going to gain confidence from scoring.”