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In the bedroom of his Brampton home, where Phil Oreskovic still lives with his parents, there is a poster of Bobby Orr on the wall.
The big rookie Maple Leafs defenceman's first NHL goal won't prompt any comparisons to the Boston Bruins legend, of course, but it made for a special moment the popular player won't soon forget.
Oreskovic opened the scoring in the second period of the Leafs' 3-2 shootout win over the Washington Capitals last night on a fluttering shot from the point that ultimately went in off the pads of Washington defenceman John Erskine.
The details may become sketchy over time, but not the feeling for the 6-foot-3, 217-pounder, who had yet to score a point through his first seven NHL games. But along with Curtis Joseph, Oreskovic was the toast of the Leafs dressing room after the win.
"I saw it go in off the side of one of the defenceman's legs," he said. "Everybody let me know it was mine right away and it was a really exciting feeling.
"I'm still a little tingly inside."
Brought in more to send shivers into opposing forwards with his physical play, Oreskovic is billed as a stay-at-home defenceman. But working with Leafs assistant coach Rob Zettler, he has been taught how to contribute offensively when the opportunity arises.
"It's a lot of: 'Get the puck through, as long as it gets through,' " Oreskovik said. "That's what I was trying to do.
"The guys have been non-stop congratulating me. It's nice to get the first one and nice to get those two points (for the win.)"
ROB.LONGLEY@SUNMEDIA.CA
