Heavy heart behind Ozzy Wiesblatt’s first NHL goal – Hockey Writer – Nashville Predators

In the chaotic, fast-paced world of the National Hockey League, statistics rarely tell the full story. The Nashville Predators’ 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames looked, on paper, like a standard regulation win – two points in the standings, a solid night from the special teams and a great job. But for those paying close attention in the second quarter, the game provided a moment that transcended the typical pace of professional hockey.

When Ozzy Wiesblatt knocked the puck over the goal line at 15:32 of halftime, the celebration wasn’t the typical cheers or glass-jumping we see when a rookie scores his first goal. Instead, Weisblatt immediately raised his head and pointed to the sky. It’s a gesture of relief, sure, but more importantly, it’s a message.

It wasn’t just the first NHL goal. This is a promise kept and a tribute.

A moment of silence for the orcas

To understand the importance of this goal, you have to look back to September. On September 14, the Wiesblatt family suffered an unimaginable tragedy when Ozzy’s brother Orca died in a car accident. Orca is more than just a sibling; He’s a comrade in the hockey trenches and recently signed with the ECHL’s Allen Americans.

Hockey is often a family affair, built on early mornings, long car trips and a common language of the game. The sudden loss of that connection leaves a void that no amount of frozen time can fill. As Ozzy points to the sky, he transforms the ice at Bridgestone Arena into a quiet sanctuary.

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To their credit, the Predators immediately recognized the gravity of this moment. The social media caption was simply: “For the Orcas.” Weisblatt was rightly named the No. 1 star of the game, not just for the goal but for the perseverance required to perform at an elite level while carrying such a heavy emotional load.

Former coaches have commented on Oka’s “contagious smile” and physical style of play — traits that Ozzy brought to the ice against Calgary. In that moment of celebration, the goal transformed from an individual statistic into a shared act of remembrance.

“The Calgary Kid” comes to a successful end

The hockey gods seem to like some kind of narrative symmetry, and this game was no exception. For Weisblatt, scoring the first goal against the Flames added a layer of poetic justice.

Weisblatt is a Calgary native. Growing up in Western Canada, the Flames were ubiquitous and the benchmark of hockey reality. Scoring his first career goal against his hometown team was a dream in the driveway.

However, in the aftermath of the game, Weisblatt showed the professional maturity that coaches want to see. He downplayed specific opponents, noting that he’s “passionate” to play against any NHL team and is grateful to be in the league. He acknowledged it was a “tough goal” but refused to let the night become a story of vendetta or homecoming. He kept his focus on the game, even if everyone else in the building understood the subtext. It was a “Calgary Kid” moment, executed with veteran composure.

The grind of a first-rounder

From a pure hockey perspective, this goal was a long haul. Weisblatt was selected in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft and had to grind his way into the lineup. The trajectory of first-round picks often comes under intense scrutiny. Fans and analysts expected an immediate impact.

Prior to this, Weisblatt had played in 27 NHL games, 22 games into the current 2025-26 season, but had no goals. He recorded assists, he created chances, he played with the physicality and exciting style he is known for, but there was still zero in the goal column.

For a player trying to solidify a top-six spot, Zero might start to feel like an anchor. Weisblatt described the main emotion as “relief.” He noted that he’s been creating opportunities and knows that if he sticks to the process — playing the right way, finishing checks, getting to the net — “some good things are going to happen.”

Finally did it. The goal itself was the product of excellent fourth-line chemistry. It was a tap-in from Michael Bunting that ended a run of possessions dominated by Tyson Jost. In this league we talk a lot about “line identification.” With a fourth line that’s been described as “phenomenal,” and both wingers (Bunting and Weisblatt) able to score, that’s the definition of deep scoring. This confirms the trust the coaching staff has in Weisblatt handling regular playing time.

Future and past nights

Interestingly, Weisblatt wasn’t the only Predator checking the big box that night. This game was a microcosm of the team’s current state: a blend of high-end veteran talent and an emerging youth movement.

Earlier in the first quarter, teammate Reid Schaeffer also scored his first career NHL goal. It’s rare for two players to score their first goal in the same sixty minutes. This speaks to the team’s organizational depth and infusion of young players.

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Steven Stamkos, on the other hand, whose resume needs no introduction, scored his 1,200th career point in the same game. The beginning of both journeys and the continuation of the legendary journey occur simultaneously. For hockey fans, this is a perfect cross-section of the NHL’s life cycle.

flag on mountain

Scoring your first NHL goal is often likened to planting a flag on a mountain. It was the culmination of years of early workouts, junior bus rides and the uncertainty of the draft. This is validation of the work.

But for Weisblatt, context changes the metaphor. Of course, he climbed the mountain. But when he reaches the top, he doesn’t just plant the flag for himself. He pointed it to the sky. He turned his personal triumphs into monuments.

The Predators scored two points, but Weisblatt took a step forward in his career and recovery. It’s a reminder that when we analyze anticipation, power play, and save percentage, the human element is still the most compelling part of the game.

Artificial intelligence tools are used to support the creation or distribution of this content, however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by members of The Hockey Writers editorial team. For more information about our use of artificial intelligence, please visit our editorial standards page.