Celebrini nets first NHL hat trick, three assists from Will Smith
NHL
“Was one in every of [Celebrini’s] higher video games right here as of late, clearly with factors and whatnot. After which Will [Smith] as effectively. … However yeah, we simply bought a extremely good take a look at the longer term.”
A university rivalry has seamlessly changed into an off-ice friendship and an on-ice connection for San Jose Sharks forwards Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
Celebrini, who gained the Hobey Baker Award in his one season at Boston College, scored his first NHL hat trick Wednesday night time, assisted on all three snipes by Smith, a former Boston Faculty star.
Celebrini returned the favor within the ultimate minute of regulation with the secondary help on Smith’s purpose, which tied the Sharks’ sport towards Minnesota at 7-7 and compelled time beyond regulation.
Regardless of the younger duo’s late effort, the Wild gained it within the additional interval, 8-7.
“We simply bought a very good take a look at the longer term, didn’t we?” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky stated. “Was one in every of [Celebrini’s] higher video games right here as of late, clearly with factors and whatnot. After which Will [Smith] as effectively. … However yeah, we simply bought a extremely good take a look at the longer term.”
Celebrini, chosen first general within the 2024 NHL Draft, and Smith, drafted fourth in 2023, have change into generally known as “two peas in a pod,” Sharks ahead Alex Wennberg advised NHL.com in November.
The rookies have change into recognized for his or her off-ice friendship and antics.
The previous school rivals made a pleasant wager on three of BC and BU’s video games this season. After Smith’s Eagles beat Celebrini’s Terriers twice within the common season, Celebrini begrudgingly donned a maroon-and-gold jersey as he walked into San Jose’s SAP Heart.
A couple of weeks later, Celebrini bought his revenge. The Terriers beat BC within the Beanpot ultimate, and Smith paid the value, carrying Celebrini’s school jersey earlier than a sport towards the Bruins.
A photograph of the pair went viral earlier this 12 months after they made a guess with Sharks ahead Tyler Toffoli that if all three of them scored in a sport, they needed to share a resort room that night time.
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