Eighteen years ago today, Petr Sykora called his own shot, scoring one of the most memorable overtime goals in Pittsburgh Penguins history when it comes to the Stanley Cup Final.
It was 2008 and the young Penguins were trying to upset the vaunted Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Final.
Pittsburgh was clearly outmatched in the series, losing three of the first four games and facing elimination on the road in Game 5 as Detroit was ready to celebrate their championship in front of their home fans.
The Penguins jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and it looked like things were going their way, but Detroit, as they often did, battled back, erasing that deficit and eventually taking a 3-2 lead in the game.
With the Stanley Cup getting polished and shined and ready to be lifted by Nicklas Lidstrom, Maxine Talbot pressed pause, tying the game at 3-3 with just 35 seconds remaining in regulation.
To overtime the game went. And then a second overtime. And a third overtime.
Detroit continued to pepper the Penguins as Marc-Andre Fleury made 58 saves, keeping the Penguins’ season alive.
And then one of the great moments in Penguins lore happened.
Petr Sykora, who told Pierre McGuire he was going to score, did just that.
What a remarkable goal and what a moment, calling your own shot on that kind of stage.
