Scoring power play goals is the one thing that Aidan McDonough does better than anyone in the Vancouver Canucksโ prospect pipeline.
On Friday night, he scored three power play goals in a big 6-2 win for Northeastern University in an NCAA game.
The three goals looked like mirror images of each other as he scored a power play goal in each period of the game. He showed off his quick release from the right side on all three one-time shots and almost had a fourth but was robbed by the UNH goaltender.
Hereโs a look at the first goal of the night.
McDonough has been in a bit of a slump lately as he hadnโt had a point since January 10th. Northeastern has only played four games since January 10th due to some COVID-19 concerns and have been back in action since February 2nd.
The second goal looked exactly like the first as he ripped that deadly shot from the right side and put his second goal on the board.
After his first two goals, it looked like a hat trick was just around the corner but he was robbed early in the third period.
He completed the hat trick just minutes later doing what he does best and ripping that one-timer from the right side on the power play.
In the offseason, McDonough worked on gaining a step in his skating and it is beginning to show as he is getting to pucks quicker and creating more offence as a passer. The kid has always had a tremendous shot but he wanted to round out his game and be able to take over NCAA games like his former linemate Tyler Madden did last season.
McDonough was fifth in the NCAA last season in power play goals with nine in 31 games. He turned 21 in November and is in his sophomore season at Northeastern. McDonough is still a year or two away from making the jump to professional hockey but one thing is for sure:
He can score power play goals almost at will.
