The Best Assist on This NHL Goal Won’t Go Down in the Box Score

Josh Morrissey’s quick thinking on the bench led to a goal for the Jets.

The Jets picked up their first win of the season on Saturday against the Panthers, 6–4, and the best goal of the night had to have been the one that Mason Appleton scored late in the third period. 

With just under six minutes to play, Winnipeg had a two-goal lead as Florida went on the power play. But the Jets quickly put the game all but out of reach with a spectacular short-handed goal. 

The play started with Winnipeg’s Adam Lowry forcing a turnover in the defensive zone, leading to a two-on-one opportunity for the Jets. But Lowry had lost his stick in forcing the turnover and had to kick the puck along the boards as he attempted to clear it. The play could have easily fizzled out if not for the quick thinking of Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey, who handed Lowry his stick as he skated by. Using Morrissey’s stick, Lowry made a perfect backhand pass to Appleton, who buried the puck in the net. 

Mason Appleton just scored a shorty from an Adam Lowry assist with Josh Morrissey's stick. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PJf0dXXknF

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 14, 2023

Here’s a closer look at Morrissey’s assist from the bench. 

Appleton buries the shorthanded goal with an assist from Lowry and Morrisey from the bench! pic.twitter.com/NRYnDyurL1

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 14, 2023

It isn’t unusual to see a player get a new stick from the bench, but Morrissey’s smart play happened so quickly and led directly to a big goal for his team. He won’t have a better assist this season.