Simashev turns first NHL goals into overtime winner for Mammoth
Dmitri Simashev was surprised to get an overtime shift. He rewarded Utah’s coaches with the winner against Tampa Bay.
Dmitri Simashev scored his first two NHL goals on Saturday, Oct. 24, bringing Utah level before delivering a 5-4 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Delta Center.
The defenceman had thought his first goal arrived Thursday, only for it to be disallowed. Saturday gave him another chance to celebrate, followed by a winner he had not expected to be on the ice to score.
Simashev said he was surprised to play in overtime and thanked assistant coach Adam Foote for trusting him. KSL Sports reported that Foote recommended the assignment to head coach André Tourigny because he felt Simashev was fresher than other players.
“It was Footer’s call,” Tourigny told reporters. “I trust Footer’s feeling.”
Simashev finished a rush at the left post 1:44 into overtime. His teammates joined him to celebrate a night that turned a long wait for one goal into two.
Anders Lee said it was rewarding to see Simashev’s play finally produce a big scoring night.
