Wild's Goligoski in tears after scoring OT winner: 'A crazy, emotional night'

Hollywood couldn't have scripted a better way to celebrate Alex Goligoski's 1,000th career NHL game.

The Minnesota Wild defenseman was actually skating in his 1,002nd career game on Saturday, but the team held a pregame celebration to honor the milestone he hit on Oct. 20. Goligoski had been a healthy scratch in 12 of 13 games after playing in his 1,000th.

The 37-year-old, who scored just twice in 72 games last season and had yet to find twine in 2022-23, buried the OT winner in dramatic fashion.

The grizzled veteran wore his emotions on his sleeve during his postgame on-ice interview.

Goligoski was apparently bawling in the dressing room after the game, stating that the recent stretch of healthy scratches has been the most "terrible" time of his career, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo.

"Just to end it like that was a crazy, emotional night," Goligoski said.

When asked if he thinks he'll be in the lineup for the club's next game, Goligoski said he was just trying to enjoy the moment.

"I have no idea," he said. "I don’t know. I’m just going to soak this one up for a bit."

Goligoski's teammates were thrilled for him.

"(It was) incredible," said forward Brandon Duhaime. "Like a movie script."

Head coach Dean Evason was equally delighted to witness the feat.

"It was pretty special to see that happen on a night like tonight," Evason said.