Iginla scores 500th goal
Jarome Iginla has reached the 500-goal milestone.
The Calgary Flames' captain scored the 500th goal of his career Saturday against the Minnesota Wild.
Iginla came down the right wing and sent a pass in front that went off the skates of two Minnesota players and in past Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom. The goal at 8:33 of the third period gave Calgary a 2-0 lead.
There was a brief pause at the Saddledome as fans wondered if another Flames player had deflected the puck in the net.
But the crowd erupted soon after into a standing ovation and every Calgary player spilled off the bench to congratulate Iginla.
Chants of ''Iggy, Iggy'' soon filled the arena as Iginla stood on the bench and acknowledged the crowd with a wave.
Former teammate Theo Fleury noted his former teammate's accomplishment on Twitter: ''Congrats Iggy on 500 Way to go!!!!''
Iginla is the 42nd player in NHL history to reach the milestone and the 15th to do it with one team.
His first regular-season goal came in his first regular-season game, Oct. 5, 1996, against the Vancouver Canucks.