BLOG: Benson buries first NHL goal

TAMPA, FL - It may have taken him a bit longer than he would have liked, but there were multiple reasons for Tyler Benson to celebrate on Sunday after scoring his first NHL goal.
The Edmonton native was able to light the lamp for the first time at hockey's highest level in his hometown rink, Rogers Place, and also had his parents Kevin and Leonora Benson in attendance.
"It's special having my parents there at the game, knowing they were there in the crowd, and it's special to be able to play in my hometown," Benson said of Sunday's tally at 15:58 of the second period against the Minnesota Wild. "It's just exciting and I was happy to be able to get that one."

After William Lagesson lifted a shot on net that Wild goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen was unable to smother, Benson fought his way to the crease and whacked home the loose puck before giving Minnesota forward Kirill Kaprizov a not-so-friendly shove en route to the corner to celebrate.
"Just caught up in the moment," he laughed. "Just the way the game was going, a little frustration with that, and a little frustration that it was my first goal of the year."

Benson now has three NHL points, two coming this season as he's suited up in 23 of the Edmonton's 50 games. The 32nd-overall pick in 2016 does, however, rank fourth on the team in hits per 60 minutes at 11.19 as he aims to become a more frequent fixture in the Oilers lineup with his versatile play.
"Every day I'm just trying to put in as much work as possible and show the guys I'm committed to the team and wanting to do anything I can to help the team win games," he said.
Benson skated on a line with Colton Sceviour and Devin Shore during Tuesday's practice and will look to get another chance to contribute when the Oilers open their five-game road trip against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday.