Hagens Scores First NHL Goal in Bruins’ 4-3 OT Win Against Jets

WINNIPEG –– James Hagens went right to the net. The 19-year-old forward shoved Mario Ferraro out of his way around the crease to earn just enough inside ice to put his stick down, settle the puck and flip it in after Nikita Zadorov and Mark Kastelic crashed the net.

“I saw [Kastelic] and Zadorov went in pretty fast, so I just tried to open up on the back side there,” Hagens said. “Honeslty, you kind of black out for a second there. It is something I will always remember. Just grateful that it happened.”

It was the rookie’s first NHL goal and gave the Bruins a 2-1 advantage at 15:20 of the opening frame on Friday at Canada Life Centre against the Winnipeg Jets. The B’s went on to complete a 4-3 comeback victory in overtime.

Fraser Minten went for the puck before joining his teammates in the corner to tackle Hagens in celebration. Who will the memorabilia go to?

“I’ll definitely give it to my parents,” Hagens said. “They’ve done everything they possibly could, and I can’t thank them enough. They’re the reason I am here.”

There was not a Bruin that did not come over Hagens following his tally. Jeremy Swayman – who was a game-changer with 30 saves – skated to the bench from the crease to give some helmet taps.

​“I think it kind of speaks to the culture here,” Hagens said. “To be able to have everybody come over and congratulate me – it’s something I will never forget. It means a lot to me. These guys are awesome.”

Prior to Hagens’ goal, the Jets got out to an early 1-0 lead with a slapshot from Dylan DeMelo at 4:52, but the B’s pulled ahead by the end of the first period.

Hampus Lindholm’s blast from the point tied things 1-1 at 9:23. Will Borgen threw the puck towards the net, and it deflected towards the walls, where Morgan Geekie corralled it up to H. Lindholm, who rocketed it past Winnipeg goaltender Stuart Skinner for his first of the season. The assist marked Borgen’s first point as a Bruin, too. Hagens then made it 2-1.

A power-play shot from Kyle Connor at 1:50 of the second period and a late wrister from Ferraro at 19:48 made it 3-2 Winnipeg heading into the third.​

“We didn’t like the second period, how we finished,” head coach Marco Sturm said. “It was on us.”

And so, Boston went out and got back to its game, leading to Elias Lindholm’s 3-3 equalizer at 18:22 to force overtime. The Bruins called a time out and immediately capitalized; David Pastrnak ripped one from the right circle, which E. Lindholm tipped in after winning the initial offensive-zone faceoff.

“[Steve Spott] drew a nice play. We had to execute it very well. Once in a while it actually works,” Sturm said. “That was just a play we always try to work on, even on 5-on-4. That was big.”

JJ Peterka secured the full two points for the Bruins in overtime. Pastrnak chipped it over to Peterka at the blue line, who collected the puck with speed, broke in on Skinner and fired it five-hole at 3:21.

“It’s almost like he smells blood when he sees half a breakaway. I’ve never seen someone so fast, and he obviously knows how to finish it off,” H. Lindholm said. “People don’t understand how hard it is what he does. We’re glad to have him on our side.”

It was Peterka’s second goal in two games since getting acquired by the B’s during the summer.

“It’s a privilege to be in those situations, getting put out there,” Peterka said. “It’s awesome. I am enjoying every second out there. Good competition, great team spirit overall. I don’t think it was the prettiest win today, but we still found a way to win.”

The Bruins will close out their two-game road trip on Saturday with an 8 p.m. matchup against the Minnesota Wild at Grand Casino Arena.