Latest news with #SimonNemec
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Simon Nemec shines bright: New Jersey Devils rookie penetrates historical OT victory against Carolina Hurricanes
Image Via Twitter An eventful night in history, Simon Nemec , the youngest player in the Devils' New Jersey roster, turned into an unexpected hero on this all-important night. The moment he scored the Devils' most critical goal echoes the thousands in Prudential Center as it buys them new hope in a playoff campaign that, with them trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series against the Carolina Hurricanes , now takes on a different kind of dramatic meaning because it ends in a sensational overtime victory heading into preparing for Game 4 and what would be an equalizer. Simon Nemec delivers a breakthrough moment amid playoff pressure Simon Nemec, a 21-year-old lad who has been in his second career Stanley Cup Playoff match, left fans and critics awestruck as he achieved the feat of scoring the game-winner in the epic double-overtime thriller. With the composure of someone much older, he skated past two Carolina Hurricanes players and fired a pinpoint wrist shot from the right circle to give the Devils a 3-2 victory in Game 3. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The goal's emotional impact was clear, as seen by the jubilant face of Nemec while celebrating with his mates. He recalled the moment by saying, 'It was just an amazing feeling, especially this tough season for me. But a really big win for us and an important win.' The regular season was tough for Nemec, who had just four points while facing some consistency issues. However, he has broken through in the postseason. Head coach Sheldon Keefe praised Nemec for being ready for the occasion. Keefe added that the aggressiveness and temper under pressure that Nemec showed was reflective of the whole team's mind. 'I haven't watched the goal back, but I just thought it was a great play by him to jump in and attack, get a hard shot off,' emphasized Keefe concerning the team's gritty effort during a high-stakes contest. Nemec's goal was significant not just for the result on that given night but also historically. At 21 years and 69 days old, he became only the second defenseman in NHL history to score an overtime playoff goal at a younger age, behind Andrei Zyuzin. He set a Devils franchise milestone, too, as he eclipsed Adam Henrique to become the youngest-ever player to accomplish this in the playoffs. Also Read: Alex Ovechkin, the Greatest Of All Time, sets the tone, and the Washington Capitals boys follow it Simon Nemec's coming of age in front of the Carolina Hurricanes has been perhaps a turning point for the New Jersey Devils and their playoff aspirations, but certainly a seal on his status as a star to watch in the future. The momentum now firmly swings in their direction, and the Devils will fight hard again in Game 4, ignited by the spark that is undeniably provided by Nemec.
New York Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
With Game 3 win, Devils show resolve that could benefit them long beyond the playoffs
NEWARK, N.J. — Friday night's double-overtime victory doesn't mean the New Jersey Devils will win this series. It doesn't even mean they'll reach Game 6. They are still the heavy underdogs and trailing 2-1 against a Carolina Hurricanes team that is healthier and has more recent playoff success. Not many people would bat an eye if Carolina won the next two games and sent the Devils home for the summer. Advertisement But that doesn't change the importance of New Jersey's Game 3 win. It's the type of game that will stick with players on the roster, from overtime hero Simon Nemec — a healthy scratch earlier this series — to Jonas Siegenthaler, who played his first game since February, to young players like Paul Cotter and Cody Glass, who took their first-ever playoff overtime shifts. It's the type of win that builds the foundation of a team, one that could pay dividends years down the road. 'You grow a lot in times like this,' coach Sheldon Keefe said after the 3-2 win. 'No question, I learned a lot about the character of our group.' Nemo put this game to bed but no one's going to sleep tonight. — x – New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 26, 2025 The Devils were already short-handed entering Game 3. Jack Hughes won't play the rest of the season after shoulder surgery. Brenden Dillon and Luke Hughes have been out since injuries in Game 1. To add injury to insult on top of the injuries, Johnathan Kovacevic did not play after sustaining an undisclosed injury in the first period. That left only five healthy defensemen, two of whom aren't physically at their best. Brett Pesce is playing at 'way less than 100 percent,' Keefe said. Siegenthaler, coming off a lower-body injury, is still getting his conditioning back after being unable to skate for months. After the game, he conceded he was gassed. 'It wasn't easy at the start,' said the Swiss defenseman, who played 27:09 despite Keefe saying before the game that he wanted to limit his minutes. 'I tried to find my legs as quick as possible. I thought after the first period, I was kind of in the rhythm. You just play hockey. You don't think about the injury you had or anything else.' Added Keefe: 'Man, was I happy we had him tonight.' Advertisement In Keefe's postgame speech to the team, posted by the Devils on YouTube, he told his players Game 3 was 'as impressive a performance by a group of guys pulling together that I've been a part of in a real long time.' Keefe credited the Devils with digging deep. That meant players across the lineup stepping up, including the stars. New Jersey's elite forwards delivered, with captain Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier all collecting points in regulation. Jacob Markström had another strong night, making 25 saves. He has continued to show why Tom Fitzgerald traded for him this past summer. New Jersey needed more than just the big names, though. Nemec, of course, scored the winner. Fourth-line center Justin Dowling threw a hit shortly before the game-winning goal. Brian Dumoulin, a deadline acquisition from the Anaheim Ducks, played 36:26, more than any skater on either team. 'We put a lot of effort into that game,' Dumoulin said. 'We started to get rewarded as the game went on. Started to play on their half. We could see the building blocks were there. … Just proud of the group.' 'I thought we played a really hard-fought game,' added goalie Jacob Markström, who made 25 saves and continued to show why Fitzgerald acquired him last summer. 'We battled. That's what we've done all season.' Carolina, with its relentless style, did not make the night easy for the Devils. After New Jersey jumped to a 2-0 lead, its penalty kill failed twice in the third period. After Sebastian Aho's equalizer, Hischier lay dejected on the ice for an extra moment. Then he climbed to his feet, skated back to his teammates and got back to work. Dumoulin said it would've been easy to quit at that point, but that's not what his team did. 'We won't give up,' said Tomáš Tatar, who played only 11:07 but fired a dangerous shot on net in overtime. 'We want to work. We want to make it tough. We got that feeling — what we have to do to be able to come through and win. It's great we did it.' Advertisement Keefe was pleased with the way his team attacked overtime, even with the lack of stoppages and the long change that led to tired legs. He could tell how exhausted players were in overtime, and he found himself looking at the skaters on the bench, trying to figure out who still had energy. 'I need more,' he told them. 'I need you. I need you. I need you.' Hischier, who played more than 30 minutes with Aho's line as his main matchup, said he'd never been more tired after a game. All the efforts, big and small, culminated with Nemec, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, seizing a puck at his own blue line early in the second overtime. He cut through the neutral zone, split a pair of Carolina defenders and snapped a shot on Frederik Andersen. The puck hit off the Hurricanes goalie, then trickled into the net. It took Nemec a moment to realize it had crossed the line. When he did, he threw his arms above his head. His teammates met him along the glass, mobbing him in celebration. After the game, he still struggled to find words for his emotions. 'I'm so happy,' he settled on. 'For me, we get what we deserved,' Keefe said, 'which is a win.' (Photo of Simon Nemec: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Devils Assign Top Prospect & Goalie To AHL
The New Jersey Devils have announced that top prospect Simon Nemec and goaltender Nico Daws have been reassigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets. After clearing waivers, Santeri Hatakka is also officially back with the AHL squad after missing the start of the season. #NEWS: We have assigned D Simon Nemec and G Nico Daws to Utica (AHL).Additionally, D Santeri Hatakka, who cleared waivers earlier today, has also been assigned to — New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 8, 2025 Nemec, 20, was recalled by the Devils on Feb. 6, but he is now heading back to Utica. In 11 games this season with the Devils, the 2022 second-overall pick has one assist to go along with a minus-1 rating. Nemec has also played in 32 games this season with the Comets, posting five goals, 22 points, and a plus-9 rating. Daws, 24, was called up to the Devils' roster earlier this month. In two appearances with the Devils during his latest call-up, he had a 1-0-0 record, a .941 save percentage, and a 1.44 goals-against average. This included stopping 25 out of 27 shots against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 4. With the 4 Nations Face-Off break here, it makes sense that Nemec and Daws are heading back to Utica.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Siegenthaler Injury Leads To Opportunity For Devils Top Prospect
NEWARK, N.J. -- Simon Nemec will finally get his opportunity. Ahead of Thursday's morning skate, the New Jersey Devils announced that the 20-year-old has joined the team. He replaces Jonas Siegenthaler, who sustained an injury in the club's last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nemec is coming off an appearance at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic, where he replaced injured teammate Seamus Casey. Through 32 games in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets, the 2022 second-overall pick has 22 points (five goals, 17 assists). He is riding a three-game assist streak dating back to Jan. 29. Tonight would mark Nemec's 10th game of the 2024-25 season and first since Oct. 22, 2024, when he picked up a secondary assist on a Timo Meier power play goal. It was his lone NHL point this season. **This story will be updated after the team's morning skate at 10:30 A.M.** Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog Hischier's Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'
