in Game Two of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 1, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t have an easy time besting the San Jose Sharks in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final Wednesday, with the game eventually heading to overtime after a third-period  San Jose equalizer, but they came out on top thanks to 23-year-old Conor Sheary. Less than three minutes into the extra frame, Sheary was in a perfect spot to take advantage of captain Sidney Crosby’s offensive-zone faceoff win, sneaking in towards the top of the faceoff circle, taking a pass from defenseman Kris Letang and then firing a bullet of a wrist shot over the glove of Sharks’ goalie Martin Jones. Here’s video of his goal:

That’s a great goal by Sheary, but it’s remarkable that he was in that position at all. The Melrose, Massachusetts native went undrafted, but signed an AHL deal with the Penguins’ affiliate in Wilkes-Barre for the playoffs in 2013-14 after completing his college career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He then remained in the AHL until this December, when he was called up and quickly elevated to join Crosby and Patric Hornqvist on the top line only three days later. It probably helped that he played for Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan in the AHL this fall, as Sullivan was coaching there until he was promoted to the Pittsburgh job in December following the firing of Mike Johnston, only days ahead of Sheary’s call-up. That call-up has proven to be inspired, though, especially in the postseason; Sheary only had seven goals and three assists in 44 regular-season games, but he’s already recorded four goals and five assists in 19 playoff games.

At 5’8” and 175 pounds, Sheary isn’t big, but he’s certainly skilled, and he’s hung on to that top-line spot and excelled in it. He has a great shot, and he’s demonstrated plenty of chemistry with Crosby. If this goal’s any indication of what he can do, he’ll be someone to watch throughout the playoffs.

[Matt Clapp on Twitter]

About Andrew Bucholtz

Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.