Lambert thrilled to score first NHL goal in Jets 5-2 win over Penguins

WINNIPEG – Brad Lambert will never forget his first NHL goal, not only because it helped the Winnipeg Jets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins but because he had to do post-game interviews wearing somebody else’s shirt and pants.

When the Jets rookie entered the home locker room after his team’s 5-2 win at Canada Life Centre Saturday afternoon, his own outfit had mysteriously disappeared.

“I was actually looking for my clothes, I don’t know where they went. I have yet to find out what’s going on. They were over there at my stall when I went to play the game and I came back and they were gone,” he said.

Lambert fulfilled his childhood dream at 2:43 of the first period when he was parked to the right of Penguins’ goalie Arturs Silovs and fellow freshman Parker Ford carried the puck behind the net and attempted a wrap around. The puck squirted through the crease for Lambert to convert.

He said the reality of the situation blew a lifetime of expectations out of the water.

“For sure I’ve been dreaming of that moment. When you’re playing road hockey as a kid, you’re kind of envisioning those moments so it’s pretty special,” he said.

The fact that it was set up by fellow freshman and former linemate with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, Parker Ford, made the moment even sweeter. The helper was Ford’s first assist of his career.

“Yeah, it’s awesome. You couldn’t write it up any better. I wouldn’t have it any other way. He made a great play on that goal,” he said.

Jets sniper Kyle Connor scored a pair of goals, his seventh and eighth of the season, including one on a short-handed penalty shot. Gabriel Valardi and Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for Winnipeg (9-3-0), which outshot the Penguins 34-30. Eric Comrie stopped 28 shots in the Jets’ net.

Sidney Crosby and Blake Lizotte countered for the Penguins and Silovs made 29 saves in a losing cause for Pittsburgh (8-3-2).

Connor scored one of the more unusual short-handed goals you’ll ever see. With the Jets short-handed just after the midway point of the second period, he skated in on the forecheck as Silovs went to play the puck in the corner. The Latvian netminder misplayed it and as Connor lunged for the puck just a few feet in front of the net, Silovs threw his stick in that direction.

The officials whistled the play down and Connor was awarded a penalty shot. He beat Silovs to the glove side for what was technically a short-handed goal to give the Jets a 4-0 lead.

Connor said he can’t remember ever having a goalie throw his stick at him.

“I wasn’t really sure what was going on. Kind of missed an open net is what was going through my mind. I actually didn’t know the rule so I didn’t know if they were discussing whether it was a goal. I didn’t really expect a penalty shot. It was nice I got another shot at it,” he said.

Silovs admitted he may not have respected Connor’s forechecking ability as much as he should have.

“It’s kind of a misplay. He came so fast. I thought he was going to be a little bit slower,” Silovs said.

Jonathan Toews, who signed with his hometown Jets in the off-season after missing more than two years due to illness, assisted on Namestnikov’s sixth goal of the season just 77 seconds into the second period. He had a rare off-night in the faceoff circle, winning just five of 11 draws but he still leads the league with a 63.6 per cent winning percentage, ahead of Tim Stützle of the Ottawa Senators in second place with 62.5 per cent.

Crosby said he’s happy to see his former Olympic teammate back in the NHL.

“It’s great. I’m happy for him. He’s obviously still got a passion for it. It’s good to see he’s feeling good and back on the ice,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 1, 2025.