Zucker finishes storybook first trip to hometown

LAS VEGAS -- This time of year has become synonymous with fairy tale endings.
But how about that fairy tale beginning Friday night at T-Mobile Arena?
Playing in his first-ever NHL game in his hometown, the Vegas-raised, Nevada-trained Jason Zucker broke a scoreless tie 7:19 into the game, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The sizable contingent of Wild faithful in the crowd -- several thousand strong -- went crazy. It didn't take long for the Vegas fans to realize that it was their own hometown boy who scored the goal.
For a few moments, it seemed like everyone in the arena cheered.

"I never thought I would [play a game in Vegas]. It wasn't even a dream, so I can't even say it was a dream come true," Zucker said. "I just never thought it was going to happen. It's really cool to do it, and on top of that to have my family and friends here, my wife and kids ... it doesn't get any better."
Zucker has always been one of those players coaches never have to worry about with his effort. One of the fastest players on the team, Zucker plays with an edge and a tenacity to his game on a nightly basis.
Despite that, teammates noted maybe an extra gear in front of the almost 40 friends and family who either came from across town, or across the country.
"He's always full of energy but tonight, you could tell he wanted to play well in front of his family," said Wild forward Charlie Coyle, one of Zucker's best friends. "Probably pretty emotional too. And when he plays with that emotion, he's a good player. That was fun to see him score."
Zucker, an artist when it comes to celebrating his goals, had a little something extra on the kneeling fist pump, as he lept into the boards. He wasn't the only one with a huge grin, however.

"I think everyone had a pretty big smile on their face, knowing what that meant to him, and what it meant to us, jumping out to a 1-nothing lead," Coyle said. "You could tell ... the eruption in the arena. I'm sure his family was pretty happy to see that. For him score and for us to win, that's a pretty good story."
But Zucker wasn't done with his magical evening.
Midway through the second period, with the Wild applying all kinds of pressure and ahead by two goals, Zucker outmuscled a Vegas defenseman behind the goal and fed a perfect pass to Matt Dumba in front of the net. The Wild defenseman didn't miss, giving Minnesota a three-goal lead in what ended up the game winner.

The only Nevada native to ever reach the NHL in its 100-plus year history, it was only fitting that he be named the game's No. 1 star of the night.
It's a fitting tribute, and one that likely won't be replicated for a while.
"To come out and score that first goal in front of his home crowd?" said Wild coach Bruce Boudreau. "Not too many people are going to be able to say that, at least for awhile anyway, that they scored in front of their home crowd in Vegas."
Related:
- Postgame Hat Trick: Wild 4, Golden Knights 2 - Zucker prepares for first game in Vegas - Webisode: Zucker returns home