The eye couldn’t track it, and minutes of replay-viewing were needed Sunday to determine if J.T. Brown’s shot had gone wide, as most in attendance suspected and play continued for about 30 seconds afterward.
“Are you kidding me?” screamed the play-by-play announcer after review.
The puck had went in — and through.
The 22-year-old Syracuse Crunch winger had leaned into a slapper from the slot with such force, the puck had ripped right through the mesh, tying Game 2 of the 2013 Calder Cup final versus Grand Rapids at four apiece.
The Howitzer was Brown’s fourth playoff goal for the Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
A native of North Carolina, Brown is the son of former NHL running back Ted Brown. He was never drafted, but Lightning GM Steve Yzerman inked the forward to a two-year entry-level deal back in March 2012. He has played just five games up with the big club, all in 2012, in which he registered one assist and threw up a plus-two rating.
Despite Brown’s blast — and wonderful surprise celebration on the Syracuse bench as the second period neared conclusion — the Crunch lost by a final score of 6-4 and now trail the AHL championship series two games to none.