Sasson's dad was PUMPED after Canucks rookie's first NHL point
The Vancouver Canucks had a lot to celebrate in a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday but perhaps no one was happier than rookie Max Sasson’s dad.
The young Canucks forward recorded his first NHL point in his first NHL game with a nice pass to Teddy Blueger in the second period.
The camera panned to Sasson’s family and they were excited, especially his dad who let out a few great fist pumps and had an all-around epic reaction.
Max Sasson’s dad is FIRED UP! pic.twitter.com/zI2tsO2Jhr
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) November 24, 2024
It was a great play from Sasson who looked calm and controlled with the puck as he entered the zone. He did a good job at keeping possession and finding Blueger in a prime scoring position and the centre did the rest.
“It was a great play, nice curl. I think everyone supports him. He’s had a different journey as an undrafted guy and everyone respects that,” said teammate Kiefer Sherwood.
That's one happy Dad!
Max Sasson's family was PUMPED to see him get his first NHL point! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/LaTbAzlz7Q
— NHL (@NHL) November 24, 2024
Teddy Blueger puts home the go-ahead goal! 🏡 pic.twitter.com/KvWtkdncKP
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 24, 2024
Teammate Danton Heinen made sure to collect the milestone puck and flip it to the team trainer so that Sasson can keep it.
It wasn’t just dad celebrating as Max had a bunch of family in the stands for the big moment. The undrafted 24-year-old told the story yesterday of telling his dad and relatives he was going to be making his NHL debut.
“I called my dad. He’s probably my biggest fan. He’s been there the whole way. He started screaming, he started crying,” Sasson said to reporters on Friday.
“It was pretty special phone call. It’s his first game too, it feels like. He’s been there throughout the whole way too, as well as my whole family.”
The Sasson fam celebrates Max's first NHL point 🥰 pic.twitter.com/qLtW24RNTC
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 24, 2024
Canucks fans on social media were loving Sasson’s dad reaction which got shown on the broadcast a few times.
MAX SASSON’S DAD’S REACTION TO HIS FIRST ASSIST 😭😭 #Canucks pic.twitter.com/0UMRS2Kxqk
— tiana (: (@nuckaround) November 24, 2024
Lol Sasson’s dad goin nuts on camera, that’s awesome, good stuff
— Andy Cole (@AndyCole1984) November 24, 2024
sasson’s dad being the biggest cheerleader rn 😭😭😭 CRIES
— oli ³¹ (@siluvssilovs) November 24, 2024
Love how fired up Max Sasson's dad was! Congrats to Sasson on his first NHL point! #Canucks
— Rutherford's – Embrace the Hard 🏒 🥅🏒 (@Jhammy51) November 24, 2024
“I really liked his game,” said head coach Rick Tocchet about Sasson. “To just get called up out of the blue, he seized the moment.”
It stood as a massive goal as the Canucks managed to beat the Ottawa Senators despite having a short-handed roster. J.T. Miller, Derek Forbort, Brock Boeser, and Thatcher Demko all didn’t suit up. Things went from bad to worse for the Canucks after captain Quinn Hughes got a game misconduct in the first period.
Even without many of their key players, the Canucks still dominated the Senators for much of the night. The game was not as close as the final score as the Senators added a pair of goals late with their goalie pulled.
The third period of the game got chippy with some physical plays, including a hit by Tim Stutzle that sent Nils Höglander flying into the boards.
Things are getting nasty in Ottawa as Tim Stutzle goes after Nils Hoglander now 👊 pic.twitter.com/wEe0sAMaFC
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 24, 2024
The victory improved the Canucks road record to 7-1-0. Sasson played a total of 7:49 in his debut and added two hits to his assist.