![[original_title]](https://rawnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/d39fa9cbafc2fb353dbff828f5566d77-1024x683.jpeg)
If at first you don’t succeed.
That gave the impression to be the mantra of Florida Panthers rookie Mackie Samoskevich throughout the first video games of the 2024-25 season.
Whereas Samoskevich had a cup of espresso with Florida final season, enjoying in seven video games between October and January, that is actually what he hopes is the beginning of a protracted and affluent profession within the NHL.
View the original article to see embedded media.
By means of the primary 9 video games of the season, Samoskevich had logged 11 pictures on aim and picked up his first NHL help, however had but to gentle the lamp.
His pace and robust puck stills had led to a handful of wraparound alternatives, however every time, Samoskevich both noticed the goalie make a save or the puck slide by the opposite facet of the crease.
He had additionally rung the aim submit a minimum of 3 times. It felt like only a matter of time.
“You kinda felt like one thing was coming,” Samoskevich mentioned.
If at first you don’t succeed.
On Saturday night time in Lengthy Island, Samoskevich discovered himself in a well-known place, flying down the proper wing with the puck on his stick, heading towards the opposing aim.
He dropped his shoulder and noticed Islanders goaltender Symeon Varlamov commit, and rapidly darted across the again of the web to the alternative submit, tucking the puck over the aim line earlier than Varlamov may react in time.
“It felt unreal,” Samoskevich mentioned after the sport. “I had possibilities and I used to be enjoying nicely. I had a pair wraparounds that I missed, so on this one, I made positive to tuck it in.”
The response from the 21-year-old was simply nearly as good because the aim itself.
With a smile the scale of a Buick, Samoskevich pumped his first and jumped into the arms of his ready teammates.
“It felt like 1,000 lbs. off my shoulders,” he admitted with a smile. “I felt like I performed ok to attain, it simply wasn’t moving into.”
It wasn’t simply the rookie who was thrilled to see the puck go in.
Florida’s bench erupted as all of the gamers jumped up collectively, whereas the blokes on the ice all swarmed round Mackie. It was virtually like an additional time aim had simply been scored.
“They have been supporting me the entire means, telling me to maintain going and it’s coming, stuff like that,” Samoskevich mentioned of his teammates. “It was an enormous assist having them behind me, for positive.”
Now with a aim and an help by 10 video games this season, Samoskevich will look to proceed his optimistic play because the Panthers get more healthy round him.
As soon as Florida’s ahead ranks are again to full power, Samoskevich ought to see time on a line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, a pair of younger Finns who’re additionally experiencing breakout-type seasons.
So yeah, the longer term is sort of brilliant for younger Mackie.
“You’re gonna have good days, you’re gonna have dangerous days, however the dangerous days are actually the place you develop,” he mentioned. “So I feel, bear in mind the dangerous days, however having fun with the great I feel is an enormous factor.”
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS – FLORIDA
Comeback Cats show off skills with 6-3 win on Long Island
Looking to build momentum, Panthers head to Long Island aiming for second New York win this week
Sergei Bobrovsky winning 400 NHL games further strengthens Hall of Fame resume
Panthers, Bobrovsky shut down high-flying Rangers for 3-1 win at MSG
