EDMONTON, AB - Like every rookie before him, Cooper Marody got to experience the National Hockey League rite of passage on Tuesday.
The forward led the Oilers onto the ice for warmups, adhering to tradition by doing a solo lap in honour of NHL game No. 1.
"It was very special," Marody, who had two shots on goal in 9:58 of ice time against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, said. "My parents got to come out, my little brother came out, so that was really special for my whole family.
"Our line had a lot of great chances and we didn't get one in the net but we're just going to keep grinding and I'm going to keep trying to prove that I belong here."
It was a back-and-forth affair between the Oilers and Pens at Rogers Place, with 11 total goals scored and a Crosby overtime winner deciding the match.
"It was a crazy game to be part of, that's for sure," said Marody. "Two high-skilled, high-scoring teams and a lot of great talent on both teams. It was a very special atmosphere and a very special game for me."
The former University of Michigan centre didn't take home a game puck for registering his first goal or point but feels he'll be able to manifest his offensive creativity with more playing time.
"As time goes on, you'll be more comfortable making the plays you could in the AHL and when I was in college," Marody added. "You get more touches, you get more reps, you get used to the speed more and then you can start making those plays and feel comfortable making those."
BLOG: Marody's debut
"It was a crazy game to be part of. Two high-skilled, high-scoring teams and a lot of great talent. It was a very special atmosphere and a very special game for me," said Oilers forward Cooper Marody about his NHL debut
