- Ducks rookie Judd Caulfield scored his first NHL goal in a 5-1 win over the Jets
- His grandma’s reaction in the stands was caught on the TV broadcast
- Read below for the family road trip and what Caulfield said afterward
Judd Caulfield got his first NHL goal on Friday, and his grandma made sure everybody in Winnipeg knew about it.
The Ducks rookie jammed in a rebound off a Jeff Malott shot on a partial breakaway at 14:41 of the first period against the Jets. The TV broadcast showed his grandma screaming in the stands right after, as NHL.com’s Christopher Detwiler noted.
Watch the goal and her reaction:
Ten family members made the 145-mile drive north from Caulfield’s hometown of Grand Forks, North Dakota, for his fourth NHL game. According to the broadcast, his grandma hadn’t been able to watch him play since college.
Caulfield was asked about having everyone in the building.
“It was super special with the family here,” Caulfield said. “I don’t think my grandma’s been to a game in a while, and it was nice to have my parents and my wife’s family here as well, and my siblings. It was great to have that support. They have supported me for so many years.”
Check out Caulfield posing with the puck after the game:
The goal wasn’t his only contribution. Caulfield sent the pass that sprung Tim Washe on a 2-on-1 for a 2-0 lead at 5:20 of the second period, and he finished with a goal and an assist.
Quenneville called the night “special” for the fourth line of Caulfield, Washe and Malott, who combined for six points.
Anaheim improved to 3-1-0 and handed Winnipeg its first regulation loss of the season. Mikael Granlund, the Ducks’ new captain, also had a goal and an assist.
Grandma got her game. Caulfield got his puck.
