Girgensons scores 3 firsts

RIGA - On Oct. 2, promising Latvian forward Zemgus Girgensons made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres, during which he also scored his first NHL goal, reports LETA. Girgensons scored his team’s only goal in the 57th minute, but it was not enough to erase a two-goal deficit, as the Detroit Red Wings won the game, 2:1.

The 19-year-old Girgensons was on the ice for 12 minutes, during which he took two shots on goal, blocked one shot, and ended the game with a +1 efficiency rating. Girgensons has become the 19th Latvian to play in the NHL, and is also the youngest ever Latvian to take to the ice in an NHL game.

Last season, Girgensons played for Buffalo’s AHL farm-club the Rochester Americans. He also made his debut with the Latvian national men’s ice hockey team at this year’s Ice Hockey World Championships.

Girgensons was selected by the Sabres as the 14th selection in last year’s NHL Draft, becoming the first ever Latvian ever selected in the first round of the draft.