T.J. Oshie Scores Hat-Trick In First Game Since Father’s Death

Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie was playing with a heavy heart on Wednesday night.

It was the first game he’s played since his father, Tim “Coach” Oshie, had passed away. Oshie not only played great, but he was even able to score a hat-trick with his dad on his mind.

TJ OSHIE HAT TRICK! ALL FOR COACH! ❤️@Enterprise NHL Hat Trick Challenge pic.twitter.com/00hL2bngjA

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 6, 2021

After his third goal, T.J. Oshie was clearly emotional on the bench.

An emotional TJ Oshie on the bench after scoring a hat trick in his first game since his father's passing pic.twitter.com/zGRfGF2YPP

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 6, 2021

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T.J. Oshie received hugs from many of his teammates after the game, and they spoke on how special the moment was.

“I saw he got emotional there at the end,” Nicklas Backstrom said after the game. “I felt like he needed a hug. I told him, ‘You’re the strongest person I know.’ First of all, it’s impressive that he actually played today and how he led the way. It’s got to be so tough dealing with that. I can only imagine.”

"You're the strongest person I know" – @backstrom19 to @TJOshie77 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wm331BQ2BL

— NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) May 6, 2021

“We showed we’re a family and we’re in this together,” Backstrom added. “His loss is everyone’s loss so we feel for him.”

Backstrom wasn’t the only one of Oshie’s teammates who spoke about him after the game.

“Just him being here honestly is enough of a sobering thing. He’s our rock. He’s our heartbeat guy,” John Carlson said to NBCSN. “We know Coach from over the years What an amazing human being he was. He lit up every single room he was ever in. For TJ to come in and want to be with the guys right away and not take more time, was probably what Coach would want him to do. We stand behind that guy for anything and everything. He’s the heartbeat of our team. There was definitely some high emotions for guys that we’re just proud of him for going out and making Coach proud.”

Nic Dowd might have had the best quote of the night.

“We are trying to be there for him and take care of him and he ends up taking care of us.”

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