What Happened
Matvei Gridin scored twice in the Calgary Flames' 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night. The 20-year-old Russian winger marked his second goal with an on-ice version of The Griddy, a dance that went viral years earlier as a high school touchdown celebration. Gridin said he had considered the move for a long time and picked the moment because Calgary led by three goals.
Key Details
- Flames defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2 in Calgary on Monday night.
- Gridin, a first-round pick, scored two goals in the win.
- He performed The Griddy after his second goal, with Calgary up by three.
- Gridin said some older teammates felt the celebration was a bit too much.
- The Griddy name comes from a viral high school touchdown dance from seven years ago.
What It Means
Gridin's two-goal night adds weight to the confidence he showed last spring, when he said he would lead the Flames in scoring this season. The 20-year-old first-rounder is getting early attention for both his production and his personality, and veteran teammates have already weighed in on the celebration.