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Kyle MacLean Records 1st Pro Goal in Bridgeport’s Home-Opening Loss to Providence

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Kyle MacLean
Photo Credit: Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Ideally, Kyle MacLean would have been celebrating his first professional goal along with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers’ first win of the season. Nevertheless, it was a milestone afternoon on Saturday during the Sound Tigers 5-3 home-opening loss to the Providence Bruins.

MacLean’s goal came in the second period of a 2-2 hockey game and 3:12 left in the middle frame. The Sound Tigers had a 2-on-0 rush with MacLean and A.J. Greer charging into the Providence zone. MacLean passed the puck off to Greer, who sent it right back to MacLean for the goal.

“I jumped off the bench there and then I thought I had a breakaway,” MacLean said. “I thought it was just me and then I heard the bench scream that I had two. I looked over and (Greer) was there and  I just thought that was the play. I slid it over and he made a great pass back and I was able to bury it.”

The goal put the Sound Tigers up 3-2 briefly before they allowed three third period goals on their way to their third straight loss of the young season. Still, MacLean was able to find a way to enjoy the special moment.

“It was exciting and it was great to get the first one out of the way,” MacLean said.

Kyle MacLean is in his first year in the pros after spending the prior five seasons in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals. If the last name sounds familiar, well it should.

Kyle MacLean is the son of longtime NHLer John MacLean, who spent the majority of his career with the New Jersey Devils.

“In probably every way I kind of owe a lot to him for teaching me from a young age,” Kyle MacLean said about his father John earlier in the week. “I still talk to him after the games. I still talk to him after the practices. His knowledge being available to me and he’s a coach by nature as well. Just talking to him about the game, and my game specifically, has be been immensely helpful for me and my career.”

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