Phil Di Giuseppe set the Abbotsford Centre into a frenzy on Tuesday evening when he scored the goal of the year.
The game was tied in the second period when former Nanaimo Clipper Sheldon Rempal made a picture-perfect pass onto the tape of Di Giuseppe’s stick, who made the magic happen after that.
“I just had my stick on the ice but I wasn’t sure if the puck was going to get to me,” said Di Giuseppe. “It was a hell of a play, I think the pass is actually the highlight if you watch the play. It’s a 30-foot saucer pass over two sticks and right on my tape. I was surprised that I caught it and then I just walked in and didn’t think too much.”
The deke was amazing but as Di Giuseppe said, the pass from Rempal was just as nice.
“As soon as I got the puck I recognized that I had a little bit of time to think about what I wanted to do,” said Rempal. “I saw Phil flying down the middle and he beat the two defencemen. I saw that their sticks were there, so I thought if I just got it over those two, that it would land in a good spot for him. Luckily it did. Obviously, Phil made an unbelievable play on it. That was awesome.”
This goal was just a cherry on top of what has been a strong start to the season for Di Giuseppe. He has been killing penalties, working on the first power play unit and playing on the first line. He’s looked like one of the most consistent AHL players that the Abbotsford Canucks have.
The goal had the AHL on notice as the Tuesday night matchup between the Canucks and the Ontario Reign was the only game on the docket.
The Reign are the top team in the Pacific Division of the AHL and Di Giuseppe’s highlight-reel goal couldn’t have come at a bigger moment in the game. The momentum of the goal gave the group a ton of energy as they skated well throughout the matchup with the best team in the pacific division.
Di Giuseppe also commented on if he may get a sponsorship deal with Giuseppe pizzeria after scoring that highlight goal.
“I’m waiting,” said Di Giuseppe. “Maybe I’ll score a couple more of those goals.”
The Abbotsford Canucks are back in action on Wednesday against the Reign before hosting the San Jose Barracuda for two games on the weekend.