Jakub Lauko scores first career goal, shares heartfelt gesture of what he will do with the puck
The 22-year-old forward scored his first NHL goal in the Bruins comeback win over the Penguins on Tuesday night
Boston Bruins forward Jakub Lauko scored his first career NHL goal on Tuesday night in the team’s 6-5 overtime win over the Penguins.
Lauko got his scoring chance after the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin turned the puck over in the Bruins defensive end. Veteran Nick Foligno carried the puck up the right side of the ice. He would see a wide open Lauko, passed the frozen biscuit and the young forward buried it in the back of the net.
Following the game, the 22-year-old forward shared his excitement for his first goal and what he plans to do with the puck.
Lauko plans to give the puck to his friend’s mother back in the Czech Republic. His friend Ondrej Buchtela passed away from cancer a few years go. Buchtela and Lauko grew up playing hockey together.
The young Bruins forward made a promise to Buchtela and he intends to follow through on that promise.
There’s kind of a little bit of a story behind it. I made a promise to my dying friend two years ago that I would make it to the NHL for him,” said Lauko, in an interview with Joe Haggerty of Boston Hockey Now. “It’s going to his mother. My dad and my mom might be a little disappointed, but I made a promise to him and to his family as well.
“He died two years ago of cancer. It was quick. We were really close and we were playing together. He was a really good hockey player, really talented. So it’s going to go to his family.”
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The overwhelming gesture shows to Laura’s character and him as a person. Over the last few weeks, Lauko has been winning over Bruins fans with the energy he has been bringing to the fourth line on a nightly basis.
Lauko’s goodwill gesture continues to illustrate there are bigger moments outside professional sports.
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