{"id":4461,"date":"2016-12-23T08:00:26","date_gmt":"2016-12-23T13:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=4461"},"modified":"2016-12-23T00:45:16","modified_gmt":"2016-12-23T05:45:16","slug":"hockeys-top-10-moments-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/12\/23\/hockeys-top-10-moments-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Hockey’s Top 10 Moments From 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Surreal. It\u2019s Merriam-Webster\u2019s\u2019 word of 2016, and it couldn\u2019t be more appropriate. This year has been an exploit into the ethereal; an orchestral journey with an overwhelming crescendo. Lead by a powerful, heartfelt story, it grew: Doc Emerik, Bobby Ryan<\/a><\/strong>, and Pascal Dupuis<\/a><\/strong> and Trevor Daley<\/a><\/strong> the strings that lead the procession, Gordie Howe<\/a><\/strong> the delicate piano overlay, P.K. Subban<\/a><\/strong> and Taylor Hall<\/a><\/strong> the pounding percussion it as reaches its height and John Scott<\/a><\/strong> the booming climax.<\/p>\n

They are the highs and lows that dominated the hockey world. They brought us together, they made us cry, they made us laugh, they made us feel. Above all they made us remember why we love the game. These are the top 10 moments of 2016.<\/p>\n

Hockey’s Top 10 Moments From 2016<\/h2>\n

10. Auston Matthews<\/a> Astonishes In His Debut<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s only fitting the future of the National Hockey League should open this list with the same aplomb he opened his NHL career. Auston Matthews<\/a><\/strong> the consensus number one pick astounded, and amazed in his professional debut. Picked to star in the 2016-17 season debut, Matthews did not disappoint, delivering four fantastic goals in thrilling 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators.<\/p>\n

His team may not have come out on top, but the message was clear: \u201cRemember the name: Auston Matthews. He\u2019s not going away.\u201d The rookie sensation became the first player in the modern\u00a0era – 1943-44 onwards -and is just the fourth player ever to record a hat-trick in their debut. In total all four goals took him just over a period and a half. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to your 2016-17 season.<\/p>\n