Top-rated goalie prospect scores goal in USHL game

Keith Petruzzelli, No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm list of North American goaltenders eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft, scored the first goal of his career to help Muskegon to a 4-1 win against Madison in a United States Hockey League game at LC Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan, on Friday.

Petruzzelli, who made 23 saves to win his third straight game, got his chance with 26 seconds remaining in the third period. After controlling the puck in his crease, he shot the puck the length of the ice and into an empty net. It was the first goal by a goaltender in the USHL this season.

"When I saw the puck come in I thought I might have time to get a shot off and so I went for it," Petruzzelli told LocalSportsJournal.com. "It's crazy. I was trying to celebrate and I didn't even know what to do."
Petruzzelli (6-foot-5, 180 pounds) leads USHL goaltenders with 16 wins this season. Committed to Quinnipiac University for 2017-18, he has a 2.47 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 26 games.
"He seems like he is seeing the puck and has built some confidence," Muskegon coach John LaFontaine said. "He is competing hard and his quickness and recovery are continuing to improve, so we are really happy with him."