UPEI Panther alum scores NHL OT winner
Joel Ward, right wing for the Washington Capitals, netted the overtime winning goal in Game 7 of the NHL matchup between the Capitals and the Boston Bruins. Having scored just six goals in the season, Ward is known as the Capitals' improbable hero, scoring the most crucial goal in the series, to knock out the defending Stanley Cup champions.
'I've done it this way my whole life,' Ward said. 'I've always been the underdog. I've never been a top guy. But I never doubted myself,' said Ward to a Washington Post reporter after the April 25 OT goal.
Ward's crucial goal within the first three minutes of OT was a backhanded rebound past Bruins goalie Tim Thomas. The goal secured the score at 2-1, an Eastern Conference quarterfinals victory to advance the Capitals.
The former UPEI Panther played four years on the University's hockey roster from 2001-2005 before graduating wtih his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, and then moved on to the Houston Aeros in the AHL. It's not a typical route to the NHL, but the hard-working Ward attracted the attention of the Minnesota Wild in a rare open tryout in 2006, eventually moving two years later to the Predators. After the 2010-11 season, Ward became a free agent and signed a four year contract with the Capitals.
UPEI congratulates Joel Ward!
