Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
Hockey can be a humbling sport, even for Macklin Celebrini.
The San Jose Sharks up 3-2 late in the third period, Celebrini threw a pizza up the middle of the ice, and Mats Zuccarello tied it.
This would’ve been a cold way to end the unofficial Celebrini Coronation Day. This morning, the 19-year-old was named to the Canadian Olympic team, the first NHL teenager to be named to Team Canada since NHL’ers started going to the Winter Games in 1998. Celebrini followed that announcement up with a goal and an assist to give the Sharks a lead against one of the best teams in the league.
But more important than the mistake is how you respond. And Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks did just that, pulling out a 4-3 shootout victory.
“He’s a smart, smart individual. He knows. That’s something that Mack will continue to get better at,” head coach Ryan Warsofsky admitted. “When we don’t have momentum, keep our game a little bit more simple.”
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