PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins got beat badly by the Florida Panthers but had at least one highlight to hang their hat on. In the third period, while down 5-1, Penguins' rookie defenseman John Ludvig scored his first career goal.
On a rush out of their zone, Drew O’Connor found Ludvig open, and he let go a perfectly placed shot. The circumstances weren't ideal coming out of the game as 5-2 losers, but it’s a moment every hockey player dreams of.
“It’s a cool feeling for sure,” Ludvig said. “Something you want your whole life. All I really care about right now is getting some wins.”
To add a little extra emotion to the moment, Ludvig’s goal came against the team that drafted him in 2019. The Panther chose Ludvig in the third round of the 2019 Entry Draft and he never saw his NHL debut until this season. The Penguins claimed Ludvig off waivers from the Panthers just before the start of the regular season.
During his time with the Panthers organization, Ludvig played mostly with their AHL affiliates, scoring five goals in 70 games.
Ludvig isn’t known for his goal scoring ability, and he admits to that, but it’s still a moment he won’t soon forget.
“It’s not as big of a deal to me, but it’s cool.”
The Penguins have been impressed with the work Ludvig has put in so far as a rookie defenseman. His physical presence has been a missing piece to the lineup for a few years, and he fits the role perfectly.
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