ICYMI: Every Goal Scored By Mike Smith, Ever
Mar 13, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) reacts after giving up a goal to the Boston Bruins during the first period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
*Before we get started, bow down to Smith for even having enough goals for this.
Goal #1: October 26, 2002
Feb 8, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) makes a save against a Dallas Stars shot during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Lexington Men O’War, ECHL
Final Score: 2-0
Mike Smith‘s first goal was a “statistical improbability”- not only did he score it during his first professional win (something he shares with LA Kings netminder Jonathan Quick), but he scored it during his first professional game. Which, did I mention? Was also his first career shutout.
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According to a write-up done in 2012 by the ECHL, the goal was scored by Smith at the 19:04 mark in the third period. After taking possession of the puck from Dayton Bombers players, he flipped the puck down the ice. It hit the center of the face-off circle, the slid right into the Bombers’ empty net. This brought the final score up to 2-0, and less than a minute later, Smith walked away with his first career game, goal, shutout, and win.
Not bad for a day’s work, really.
Goal #2: October 19,2013
Oct 10, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) makes a save as Detroit Red Wings right wing Daniel Cleary (71) and center Stephen Weiss (90) look for a rebound during the first period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Phoenix Coyotes, NHL
Final Score: 5-2
Although it seems laughable for me to even say this, Mike Smith had a nice break between his first career goal and his second. (I mean, Marty Brodeur scored twice in a three-year time span. What’s with Smith waiting another decade? It’s almost like he’s not supposed to score, or something.)
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Score a second goal he did, though, just days into the 2013-2014 season. With less than a second left in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings, Smith did as Smith is sometimes known to do, and chipped the puck through a sea of bodies- both Arizona and Detroit players, might I add- to score on the empty net at the 59:59.9 mark. It was insane. He just gloved the puck, dropped it in front of his stick, and fired it to hit dead center in the opposition’s empty net.
I wish I could say this was the last goal he’d scored. Two months later, though, he scored his third and final career goal- just not in the way his team maybe would have liked.
Goal #3: Dec. 23, 2013
Dec 23, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis (63) gestures towards the puck stuck in the jersey of Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) during the game at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Team: Phoenix Coyotes, NHL
Final Score: We don’t want to talk about it.
It’s become known across the league as “the butt goal”, and for good reason.
At the 3:47 overtime mark during the Coyotes/Sabres matchup, Buffalo rookie Mark Pysyk “scored” the overtime winner, bringing the final score to 2-1 in favor of the Atlantic Division team. The catch? The puck had fallen into Mike Smith’s pants, and when he backed up, he carried it across the goal line with his butt.
This is a real thing that happened. Mike Smith, never change.