Cody Eakin had shaving cream in his mouth, up his nose and in his eyes.
“It’s stinging now,” he said.
It was the result of a locker-room celebration in the form of a shaving-cream pie delivered by Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin after Eakin scored his first career NHL goal Friday night as part of a 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
The blue shaving cream all over his clothes and pads and the visiting locker room floor was a friendly reminder of the wicked wrist shot he fired past 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goaltender Cam Ward.
“It only happens once, I guess,” Eakin said. “My time so far has been [memorable]. It was a great feed [from Alexander Semin], and it’ll be something I remember.”
The 20-year-old hadn’t even gotten a chance to check his phone for the inevitable crush of missed calls and text messages when he spoke to reporters — for the second time. The first time was interrupted by Ovechkin’s pieing as teammates peeked around corners to catch a glimpse of the kid getting his initiation.
Eakin and his teammates were all smiles then, just as they were when he scored to make it 4-1 at the 10:49 mark of the third.
“Yeah, it’s fun. I didn’t see him celebrate like crazy; but he’s going to be great player,” Ovechkin said. “He have unbelievable skill, and you can see how easy he put puck in the net.”
Eakin had a definite jump in his game Tuesday when he made his NHL debut against the Ducks at Verizon Center. The Caps’ top prospect currently playing within the organization had a bunch of chances but couldn’t cash in.
It seemed a matter of time until he would flash that speed and finally bury one.
“I kind of just went out there, see what I could generate,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a better feeling than getting that one tonight. So I’m pretty happy right now.”
Eakin said that, still feeling the sting from the shaving cream. It was a feeling he wouldn’t trade for anything.
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Stephen Whyno is the Capitals and NHL reporter for The Washington Times. You can follow him on Twitter (@SWhyno) or send him e-mail at swhyno@washingtontimes.com.
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