Redemption came swiftly for Minnesota Wild rookie Hunter Haight. Just 24 hours after having his first NHL goal controversially overturned, the young forward authored a storybook moment, netting his official first career goal to seal a victory and ignite the roaring home crowd at the Xcel Energy Center.
"It’s frustrating when something like that happens," Haight admitted post-game. "But I kind of knew right away that it was going to get called back. So it feels really good to score tonight." The goal was a fitting payoff in the final game of the regular season for a player the organization believes is trending in the right direction.
His milestone moment was a product of chemistry and veteran savvy. Haight buried a perfect setup from Nick Foligno and Marcus Foligno, two seasoned leaders who have been instrumental in his transition to the NHL. "It’s awesome," Haight said of playing with the duo. "You learn so much, just the little details. You come back from a shift, and they’re giving you insight on what they see. So, it was really cool to do it."
The celebration was just as memorable as the goal itself. As the arena announced his name, Marcus Foligno wrapped the rookie in a massive bear hug on the bench, beaming with pride. "I’m just thrilled for him," Foligno said. "It’s so cool to watch a kid get his first goal... He scored a way more beautiful one tonight. So I’m thrilled for him, especially in a win."
Describing the play, Haight broke it down with the calm of a veteran: "Fliggy got a little sauce on it, and I just tried to settle the puck down quick. Just made sure I had it before I let it go." When the puck hit the twine, the building erupted, and Haight took a moment to soak in the roar of the crowd—a sound every player dreams of hearing for the first time.
"This crowd is unbelievable," Haight said, capturing the electric atmosphere that makes scoring your first NHL goal at home a truly unforgettable experience. It was a night of perseverance rewarded, a rookie's dream realized, and a perfect note to end the regular season on for the Wild and their promising young forward.