When Mats Sundin set his sights and raised the roof – celebrated the 500th career NHL goal with a giant cannon

Mats Sundin was a goal scorer of rank.
When the Toronto legend accounted for NHL goal number 500, he did it with a bang – and it really could be among the worst we’ve seen.

There are probably few who say anything other than that Mats Sundin is one of Sweden’s greatest of all time. He was for a long time the only Swede to go first in the draft, and he then gained cult status in the classic Toronto Maple Leafs.

Became historic

It’s the time in Toronto that people most associate him with. But it was by the Quebec Nordiques that he was drafted, and there he played for four seasons before switching organizations to the Maple Leafs.

There, Mats Sundin became one of the club’s greatest players during his 13 seasons in Toronto. The Swede was team captain for the majority of all his seasons, and celebrated great success in the hockey-crazy city.

And he was also properly celebrated. Especially when he scored his 500th career NHL goal. It was his 1162nd game in the series, and the Toronto Maple Leafs faced the Calgary Flames.

Strike with giant cannon

It was 4-4 after regular time and the match went to extra time. Then Mats Sundin showed why he is such a great and valued player in Toronto. The Swede stepped forward and struck with the boldest, and hardest(?), shot ever that made the roof lift.

Not only that it was Mats Sundin’s 500th career goal. It was also his third of the match, and afterwards he was awarded man of the match.

What do you think of Mats Sundin’s giant cannon?