WATCH: Steven Stamkos joins Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby as 3rd active to score 500 goals, NHL Twitter reacts

<strong>WATCH: Steven Stamkos joins Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby as 3rd active to score 500 goals, NHL Twitter reacts</strong>

Steven Stamkos [Image Credit: NHL Trade Rumors]

Nobody including Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos would have imagined 4.40 into the first period would be the grand celebratory time for his 500th NHL goal score. Nevertheless, it did. Stamkos has been waiting for his chance for a long time, especially after celebrating his 1000th career point on December 1.

The whole arena started screaming in celebration as the Lightning bench got emptied within seconds of him scoring the goal. His teammates embraced him, and the first to do so was Zach Bogosian, followed by Alex Killorn. His 500th goal gave him the pass to join the elite club where his peers Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby is already a member.

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Apart from Ovie, and Sid, he is the 3rd NHL active player to join the club, the 43rd in the league’s history, and the 23rd to do so with one franchise. He is the 8th player to score a hat-trick in their 500th goal game. After scoring his 499th goal against Canucks last Thursday, he and his teammates knew the glorious day wouldn’t be far. Unfortunately, it took it past 2 games to have him score.

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Steven Stamkos thanks his teammates for being part of his journey

Steven Stamkos [Image Credit: NBC Sports]
Steven Stamkos [Image Credit: NBC Sports]

Lightning coach Jon Cooper said it was nothing to get shocked about since he’s an extraordinary player and would’ve reached the milestone sooner rather than later. “If you’ve watched any of our last couple games, I don’t think anybody was shooting a puck at a net if Stamkos was on the ice”. 

“It can be stressful when you’re getting close to those milestones. Stammer was positive and talking all the team stuff, but I know it wears on you and the anticipation of that big moment. You want to do that at home, but the fact that he got to do it in his home country and everybody here was extremely appreciative of the goal, just a great moment,” he said.

Steven Stamkos said of his game and the crowd’s energy, “It’s very special”. “I’ve had quite a few chances the last couple of games, and it was nice to get it out of the way kind of early in the game. I know guys have been looking for me in situations where maybe they would have shot over the past two games, so it was nice to do it and then just go out and play.”

The 2008 NHL Draft pick recorded 1,024 points with the team, 13 OT goals, 190 power-play goals, 370 power-play points, and 76 game-winning goals, with 522 assists. In 117 playoff games, Stamkos led the Lightning to win the Cup back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.

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Stamkos further commented, “It’s such a humbling experience when you have a moment like that and you get to celebrate it with your teammates, who are genuinely just as excited as you are”. 

Stamkos thanked his teammates and fan base for supporting and believing in him. He said that he could only reach this point thanks to his teammates who contributed greatly for him to achieve the 500th goal. He said, he very thankful to be part of this group and appreciates each of its members and the moments. 

“…and in the group of players I’ve played with for one organization for the last 14-plus years. It’s pretty special to do it, and to have that reaction from them too is just amazing.”

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