With the Ottawa Senators tied 2-2 Tuesday night against Florida, Norris split two Panther defenders before skating in from the right wing while protecting the puck with his backhand before switching to his forehand and firing a low wrister past Spencer Knight that was in and out of the net in a heartbeat.
As Norris spun away, play resumed. No goal was given. But moments later, play was halted as Norris had scored his 13th goal of the season.
Perhaps it was lucky no. 13 for the Sens' leading goalscorer.
"I had no idea if it was in or not," Norris said Wednesday. "I thought it hit the post, went across the line, hit the other post and went out. I was frustrated and confused at the same time. How did that not go in?
"But then I got back to the bench and the boys said it went in so that's obviously a nice feeling."
His second goal that night came with little fuss as he buried a Drake Batherson saucer pass 23 seconds into the third period as the Sens steamrolled to an 8-2 victory.
But the significance of Norris' 30th career goal can't be lost. In reaching that milestone, he became the second fastest Senator in franchise history to reach that landmark, taking just 85 games. Only Alexei Yashin's 79 games were quicker.
"His overall belief in his ability," Sens head coach D.J. Smith said in what's changed made Norris even more dangerous in 2021-22. "He's starting to realize how good he can be."
The Oxford, Mich., native has only essentially just completed a full 82-game NHL season. But he's already building a reputation for having a lethal shot, as evident by his rapid pace to get to 30 goals.
"I think it's one my better strengths," Norris said of his shot. "I try to use it as much as I can and I think the more that I shoot, the better chance I have of scoring so I'm looking to keep shooting the puck."
Norris has 14 goals this season in 26 contests, and in 30 less games, is only three goals away from tying his total from his rookie campaign in 2020-21.
Last year, Norris had two game-winners in 56 games. He has two game-winners in the Sens' last two games. Norris, alongside Batherson and Brady Tkachuk, have been lethal over the Sens' last six games where they have five wins. Of those five wins, Norris has three game-winners as well as the decisive shootout winner against New Jersey on Dec. 6.
"I guess when you're playing with Drake and Brady, good stuff happens and you get good opportunities," Norris said. "I've been fortunate enough to bury them. We're looking to keep this train going. We're playing well but I think all three of us have another gear and we're excited to get here."
