BUFFALO, N.Y. — Alex Nedeljkovic reflects on his childhood days, recalling how he admired the puck-handling skills of legendary goaltenders like Marty Turco and Martin Brodeur.
On Friday night, he achieved something unprecedented in the realm of the NHL, becoming the first goalie ever to record both a goal and an assist in a single game. This historic milestone occurred during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing the puck,” Nedeljkovic shared. “Watching exceptional talents like Marty Turco and Martin Brodeur during my formative years really influenced how I handle the puck today. It’s been an integral part of my game for as long as I can recall. My father often advised me to make smart plays instead of just throwing the puck around. If I’m going to move it, I should aim to put it right on my teammates’ tape. This moment is exhilarating for me.”
Nedeljkovic not only showcased exceptional skills with 40 saves but also played a pivotal role in the Penguins’ offensive play. He contributed a secondary assist on Glass’ goal, which put the Penguins ahead 3-1 late in the second period. His own goal followed shortly, coming with just over two minutes left in the game after the Sabres had pulled their goalie, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, to bring on an extra skater. Nedeljkovic cleverly went behind his net, retrieved the puck, and sent a shot from approximately 180 feet away into the vacant goal.
Penguins forward Bryan Rust described the moment, saying, “I noticed a soft rim and figured he was going to take the shot, especially since we were ahead by two. I just waited and watched as he launched it. It was awesome to see everyone celebrate with him afterward.”
In another remarkable achievement, Nedeljkovic has now become the first goalie to score in the ECHL, AHL, and NHL. His goal marked only the 19th scored by a goalie in NHL history, making him the 16th goalie to achieve this feat. Remarkably, he is just the second goaltender for the Penguins to score, following Tristan Jarry, who found the net on November 30, 2023, before being assigned to the AHL.
“It was fantastic to witness,” said Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan. “His teammates were joking that all he needed was a fight to complete the ‘Gordie Howe hat trick.’”
