Magnus Paajarvi shines in preseason debut
Although most of the fans were eagerly anticipating the debut of first overall pick Taylor Hall on Thursday, it was fellow Edmonton Oilers prospect Magnus Paajarvi who stole the show.
The Oliers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 on home ice on Thursday with Paajarvi leading the way with three goals and an assist. Paajarvi, also a first round draft pick, was selected bu the Oilers with the 10th overall selection in the 2009
NHL Entry Draft.
"It felt awesome to be able to do what I did out there in my first game," said Paajarvi. "It's just unbelievable to be here and playing with NHL players. I'm still taking it all in. I
already feel very comfortable. All credit to my linemates. They are great to play with. Today was a great day for the whole team."
Taylor Hall, who was selected with the first pick overall at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft also delighted the fans by scoring a goal, but was quick to give praise to his teammate.
"It's nice to contribute," Hall said. "It was pretty special to see Magnus have a game like that. He is a good friend already and to see him do well is great. I hope he keeps it up all
year."
Head coach Tom Renney was very pleased by the effort he got from his rookies.
"They did well," he said. "They have been waiting for a while and were excited about it. I liked the work habits and the thought process. I like the fact that they are sponges as well."
Andrew Cogliano scored the other goal for the Oilers who pushed their preseason record to 2-0.
Randy Jones opened the scoring for Tampa Bay early in the first period, but the Oilers Swedish sensation replied with his first of three on the night to tie the game on a bit of a fluke
goal.
"Just when I was about to shoot it I think I got a stick and got out of balance," Paajarvi said. "Obviously I got lucky. But sometimes those goals can get you going."
After Cogliano scored to give the Oilers a 2-1 lead, Paajarvi then added his second goal scoring on the power play. Taylor Hall got on the score sheet and stretched the Oilers lead to
4-1 eight minutes into the third period after intercepting a pass and showing nice patience to beat Lightning goaltender Dan Ellis.
Paajarvi then capped-off his night just a few minutes later scoring a shorthanded goal for his third of the game. The fans then responded by throwing hats on the ice for his hat-trick.
"They don't throw hats back home," Paajarvi said. "That was really cool. I have never experienced something like that before."
Lightning prospect Carter Ashton scored the second Tampa Bay goal with just under three minutes remaining to complete the scoring.
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