FLASHBACK: One of Jágr's Most Incredible Goals - 1991 (VIDEO)

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Stef
April 23, 2022 (5:07 PM)

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This April marks the 31st Anniversary of Jarom�r Jágr's amazing rookie goal in OT (his first playoff goal) agains the New Jersey Devils, allowing Pittsburgh to even their Patrick Division semifinal series at 1 game each. The Penguins, of course, would go on to win the Stanley Cup that year, the first in franchise history, and the first of their first back-to-backs. That's a lot of firsts.
Having just been selected 5th overall in June of 1990, the 18 year old from (now) Czechia became an instant sensation. In a game that saw Pittsburgh outshot 40-25, including 7-2 in OT, the rookie took it upon himself to fight off two checks along the right boards, and deke goalie Chris Terreri for the win. Unfortunately, as fantastic as that was, reporters weren't able to interview him after the game because he'd only been in the country for nine months and no one could find a translator. But Coach Bob Johnson was asked his opinion of the goal, to which he responded, "I thought the big guy {Mario Lemieux} might do it, because he usually rises to the occasion, but we play Jágr when we need a goal because he's got an awful lot of talent. Usually in overtime it's decided by an element of luck, but that wasn't luck. That was talent. That was a very talented goal."

In the regular season, Jágr had played 80 games, which gave him 27 goals and 30 assists. Four of those goals were GWG. His stats would only improve and in 95-96, he had his best year with the Penguins, scoring 62 goals and giving 87 assists for a total of 149 points, which was also the highest of his career overall.
Today, the 50 year old «Ageless Wonder» still plays for the Ryt�ri Kladno, and most recently organized a Czech Extraliga regular season game at O2 arena in Prague, with ticket proceeds benefitting Ukrainian refugees.