Rangers hero goes full ham with fans in epic 2-OT celebration

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers
Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers endured a hard-fought Game 2 battle against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. A contest that required double overtime to decide a winner in this grueling Eastern Conference Second Round matchup.

So when Vincent Trocheck, who described his exhausted body as “numb” after the first overtime, exploded in jubilant celebration, it was a thing of beauty.

At the 7:24 mark of the second overtime, the 30-year-old center put home a loose puck for a power-play goal and a 4-3 Rangers’ win. Upon scoring, Trocheck was initially grabbed by Mika Zibanejad, but his excitement could not be contained as he broke away to skate up the boards.

Of course, what happened during the celebration was sheer ecstasy.

Related: Igor Shesterkin dominates Hurricanes

Vincent Trocheck celebrates with Rangers fans

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It was a herculean effort by Trocheck, who finished the contest with 35:21 of ice time, the most of any skater. So it’s hard to blame him for what happened during the celebration as video captured him going full ham with the fans in the stands.

A great clip posted by the NHL’s social media account shows Trocheck screaming, “Let’s Go!” and banging his fist on the glass. An incredible moment that will be long remembered even after everyone’s heart rates finally came down enough to eventually fall asleep for the night.

“On the goal, I couldn’t tell you what happened,” Trocheck struggled to recall afterwards. “It went in… I’ll watch it and let you know tomorrow.”

The Rangers now hit the road up 2-0 in their best-of-7 series against the Hurricanes, looking for that important 3-0 stranglehold on Thursday. They owe that opportunity to Igor Shesterkin’s amazing 54-save performance and their gutsy forward.

Through six postseason games, Trocheck is second on the Rangers 10 points (five goals, five assists) and has a five-game goal streak. None bigger than his 2-OT heroics on Tuesday night at MSG.

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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