"My uncle was pretty conflicted," says Hackett of WJC

[Renomitsu 934]

Championship Dome, World Juniorsland - As the buzzer sounded signaling a goal - and the end of the World Juniors - Riga Reign rookie and USA World Juniors defenseman Saul Hackett could hardly believe it. He'd scored the game-winning goal for the Americans, one minute and twenty-six seconds into a 5v4 power play following a hooking penalty by Canada's Blake Laughton.

 

"Shooting really isn't my thing," a bewildered Hackett stated after the game. "I mean, just look at my point sheet for Riga right now. I've one goal through 61 games - that's not a coincidence."

 

Hackett was immediately surrounded by his teammates and appeared a little confused until he took a look at the scoreboard and confetti raining down onto the rink, and he looked toward the seats containing his agent and uncle (and former VHLM/VHL defenseman) Saul Hackett. The elder of the two Hacketts appeared to be processing all the same - seeing his nation's team lose the cup but his nephew score the winning goal.

 

"Yeah, my uncle was pretty conflicted," Apollo said with a healthy laugh, "but at the end of the day he definitely celebrated with me and this now-championship team. U-S-A! U-S-A!"

 

As the team headed into the locker room, the Americans heckled Hackett, playfully accusing him of turning an errant pass into a goal. But provided how he's done in the VHL regular season, that's more likely than we give it credit for.