Taylor Hall Debuts in OKC (Steven Christy/OKC Barons)
Taylor Hall finally got back on the ice and it didn’t take the young Oiler star long to make an impact in a Barons uniform.
It took 38 seconds to be exact.
Hall went out and scored on his first shift, tipping in a point shot from defenceman Colten Teubert en route to a 4-3 Barons victory over the Houston Aeros.
“I felt good….It’s a lot different scenario when you’re playing a game; you can only practice so much. It was good to get a goal early on and get a little more comfortable, but it’ll take me a few more games to get up to 100%.” –Hall
Hall played on the Barons top line with Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was out of the lineup last night, but one would have to think the Oilers top line of Hall, Eberle and RNH will be reunited in OKC as soon as all three players are available.
Eberle also got in on the action last night with 2 goals and a +3, and was dangerous on every shift. Teemu Hartikainen had the other goal in the win.
Hall’s night however proved to be more eventful as his night also finished early when he was assessed a five minute major and game misconduct for a hit on Aeros defenceman Jonas Brodin,
Even with the goal, Hall looked rusty in his first action and admitted to having some nerves after being out for seven months.
“There were some jitters,” admitted Hall. “When you’re out for seven and-a-half months, it almost feels like you don’t know how to play hockey again. So for me to go out in my first game and score on my first shift, it was really exciting and it helped me out a lot.
“The jitters, the nerves and the anxiety are a big part of hockey and it’s always tough when you’re playing your first game.”
The Aeros fought back and scored three times in the third period to tie it up before Eberle scored the winner to put the game away. Houston will get their chance for a rematch as they play the second of back to back games versus the Barons tonight in Houston.
Hall won’t be in the lineup, however, as the Barons will keep him out of back to back situations for the time being for precautionary reasons.