Ducks rookie Nick Ritchie talks about scoring his first NHL goal, and with his parents in the crowd as an added bonus

Nick Ritchie scored his first NHL goal Monday in the Ducks’ 7-1 rout of the New Jersey Devils at the Honda Center. His goal was the Ducks’ sixth of the night against Devils goalie Keith Kinkaid, and might have otherwise been forgettable. But it was his first of his career. Coincidentally, his parents arrived from Toronto and were in the Honda Center to bear witness to their son’s first goal.

“I was pretty excited,” said Ritchie, 20. “It was 5-1 there, so it was kind of a meaningless goal (to make it 6-1), but with your first one, it means something. Some of the guys were excited, as well. I’m going to remember that one for a while. You’re more worried about playing the game and helping the team out, but to get it out of the way and move forward feels good. Maybe there’s a little bit of weight lifted off. Hopefully, I’m better for it moving on.”