New York Rangers’ Rick Nash Leaves Game For Birth Of Child After Goal

By Matt Johnson @mattytheole on October 14, 2014

Someday, many years from now, New York Rangers forward Rick Nash will look back on the last few days and likely smile one of the biggest smiles of any father anywhere. No, Nash didn’t score an overtime, game-winning goal in the Stanley Cup Finals or anything quite as grandiose. But when all was said and done, he netted a pair of moments that he will be able to share with his son for many years to come.

With his wife Jessica in the end stages of her pregnancy, Nash suited up for the Rangers when they took on Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday evening. For an expecting father and mother, the last few weeks can be both nerve-racking and exhilarating. Nevertheless, there was Nash with his teammates in front of the home folks at Madison Square Garden.

Then, it happened. Jessica’s water broke and Nash found the net on a highlight-reel goal from teammates Martin St. Louis and Marc Staal at 17:22 of the opening period. At the time, Nash’s goal evened matters 1-1.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, Toronto went on to win the game 6-3 behind a goal and two assists from Phil Kessel. Nash wasn’t around by then. In fact, he took off after scoring his late-first period tally, bound for the hospital to be at Jessica’s side for the birth of their first child.

For most parents, the birthing process evokes powerful memories that remain for a lifetime. It’s a culmination of both love and dedication that can only be experienced, not described. None of that was lost on Nash, the highly-skilled winger who has netted 340 career goals in his standout career.

When word was finally received that Nash and Jessica had successfully brought a baby boy into the world, it seems likely the 11-year veteran had more than a few moments of personal reflection. A goal and a baby boy within a span of a few hours? Few events in life figure to rank as high.

Of course, there will likely be some who criticize Nash for leaving his team in the midst of a game. Who can forget David Murphy, who delayed his season debut for the New York Mets to be with his wife while expecting his first child? While the Mets were wholly supportive, some New York media members were offended and made their feelings known.

Don’t be surprised if that possibility doesn’t trouble Nash in the least. The 6-foot-4 winger has more than proven himself on the ice. He’s a multi-time NHL All-Star and has racked up 633 points in 786 career games. Currently, he leads the Rangers with four goals and has been a key figure on every team he’s played on. In other words, Nash is a marquee player and has nothing to prove to either the media or the fans.

Through all his accolades and achievements on the ice, Nash realized one thing trumped it all: His family. There will be plenty of other opportunities for Nash to strut his stuff for Rangers fans in coming months. In fact, there will at least 79 more chances in the regular season alone, not to mention possible playoff games for both Nash and the Rangers to showcase their hockey skills.

For now, all that matters is that Nash, Jessica and their new baby are doing well. Over the years, players have described winning the Stanley Cup as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Nash found out firsthand there are other events that rank on the same level.

Whether Nash hoists hockey’s ultimate trophy this season or in the future, he can always say he came out on top. This time, it had nothing to do with hockey.

Matt Johnson is a sports writer for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter at mattytheole or “like” him on Facebook.