Ullmark's goal for Bruins dream come true

VANCOUVER -- Linus Ullmark had always dreamed of scoring a goal.

The Boston Bruins goalie finally got to live that dream when he shot into an empty net with 48 seconds remaining in a 3-1 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Saturday.

Ullmark knocked down a dump-in near the left post, squared up and launched the puck up and over everyone, having it land flat just above the hash marks before sliding into the center of the net.

"It's one of the dreams I always had that I wanted to score a goal," Ullmark said.

RELATED: Ullmark latest NHL goalie with a goal

After narrowly missing on an attempt late in a 2-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Winter Classic on Jan. 2, Ullmark knew this one was going when he saw it land in the Canucks' zone. However, he was still at a loss for words when he met with the media almost 20 minutes later.

"I don't know really what to say," Ullmark said. "I'm ecstatic inside. I'm trying to calm it down now to do this."

Ullmark is the 13th goalie to score a goal in the NHL, and the eighth to do so by shooting the puck into the net. He is the first goalie to score since Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators did it Jan. 9, 2020, at the Chicago Blackhawks.

After being mobbed by teammates at the top of his crease, Ullmark led the parade to the Bruins bench for high fives, a tradition for players who score a goal.

"Someone in the pile that told me, 'You have to go to the bench, you have to go to the bench,' so I appreciate that gesture from them," Ullmark said.

Ullmark's goal was the 16th scored by a goalie in NHL history. Martin Brodeur scored three times for the New Jersey Devils, and Ron Hextall scored twice for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Billy Smith was the first goalie to be credited with an NHL goal when he was the last New York Islanders player to touch the puck before Colorado Rockies defenseman Rob Ramage scored into his own net on Nov. 28, 1979.

Hextall was the first goalie to score by shooting the puck the length of the ice into an empty net, doing so against the Bruins on Dec. 8, 1987. He also scored the first goalie goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when he shot into an empty net against the Washington Capitals on April 11, 1989.

"That's pretty cool. The guys that have scored a goal in this league are terrific goaltenders," Ullmark said. "It's hard to describe what I'm feeling right now. I have to kind of digest it all. I'm just so bloody happy."

Ullmark also made 26 saves to reach 30 wins (30-4-1) for the first time in his eight NHL seasons. He leads the League in wins, save percentage (.938; minimum 10 games) and goals-against average (1.86) this season, his second in Boston.

"I'm sure he'll be on the power play next," Bruins forward Brad Marchand joked. "He's been phenomenal, great to see him do that. I kind of got the sense that at some point it was going to happen, either him or [Jeremy Swayman]. They both shoot the puck very well, and I think both of them were itching to do it. … Incredible to see. That's a first for me and a lot of fun to watch."

GOALIES TO SHOOT GOAL INTO EMPTY NET

Linus Ullmark, BOS; Feb. 25, 2023, at VAN
Pekka Rinne, NSH; Jan. 9, 2020, at CHI
Mike Smith, PHX; Oct. 19, 2013, vs. DET
Evgeni Nabokov, SJS; March 10, 2002, at VAN
Jose Theodore, MTL; Jan. 2, 2001, at NYI
Martin Brodeur, NJD; April 17, 1997, vs. MTL
Chris Osgood, DET; March 6, 1996, at HFD
Ron Hextall, PHI; April 11, 1989, at WSH
Ron Hextall, PHI; Dec. 8, 1987, vs. BOS

GOALIES TO GET CREDIT AS LAST TO TOUCH PUCK

Martin Brodeur, NJD; March 21, 2013, at CAR
Cam Ward, CAR; Dec. 26, 2011, vs. NJD
Chris Mason, NSH; April 15, 2006, vs. PHX
Mika Noronen, BUF; Feb. 14, 2004, at TOR
Martin Brodeur, NJD; Feb. 15, 2000, vs. PHI
Damian Rhodes, OTT; Jan. 2, 1999, vs. NJD
Billy Smith, NYI; Nov. 28, 1979, at COL