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(Ed. Note: No Puck Headlines tonight through Sunday. Wyshynski and Leahy are spending some quality time with friends and in the bottom of several bottles. The good news: Our Winter Classic live blog will by a simulcast of the one on SBN featuring blogging deity James Mirtle and his merry gang of pranksters. Please join in the fun; it's going to be epic. Then, on Friday, we have a really cool treat: A first-person essay and photo-log from Kevin Kaduk of Big League Stew's Winter Classic adventure. We'll also have the Three Stars wrap up every morning. Happy New Year to one and all, and thanks for reading.)

What would the end of the year be without one of those "Top 10" lists? Hockey fans love the big hits, the punishing fights, and breathtaking saves, but in the end, it's all about the goals. 

Here are the top goals on the Puck Daddy highlight reel for 2008.

10. Mike Ribeiro vs. Los Angeles Kings, Nov. 11

Say what you will about Riberio and his on-ice antics in the past, but this was just a sweet display of skill and patience while handling the puck. The post-goal "shhhh" was also an interesting show of trash talk to the Los Angeles Kings bench. 

9. Evan Trupp vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers, Feb. 1

Falling away from the net, Trupp's batted shot was the overtime winner for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.  It was Trupp's fourth game-winner of the season and the third time in five meetings that a Minnesota-North Dakota game was decided in the extra frame.

8. Rob Davison vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, March 17

While everyone looked at the shot as a simple dump out of the zone, you can tell in Maple Leafs play-by-play man Joe Bowen's voice as he called it that he was not looking at it that way. It's like he was anticipating the puck to take a bad bounce and hop over Vesa Toskala's glove. Davison, who has three career goals in 208 games, has not scored since that night on Long Island. Toskala can take solace in knowing that there's another goalie out there that let up just as bad a goal.

7. Alexander Ovechkin vs. Montreal Canadiens, Jan. 28

This is fantastic for two reasons: 1) How many of Ovechkin goals aren't fantastic? 2) AO has one of the prettiest wrist shots in the NHL and this tally was his third of four on the night. Crisobal Huet knew he wasn't gloving that, but threw up his hand just to make it look like he was attempting to save the shot.

6. Johan Franzen vs. Montreal Canadiens, Nov. 26

Two days before "The Mule" twisted Ryan O'Byrne into a pretzel, the Habs defenseman entered his own goal against the Islanders into the blooper of the year contest. 

5. Blake Wheeler vs. St. Louis Blues, Dec. 21

While Phoenix isn't involved directly in the goal, they sure have to wish they still had Wheeler's rights. The 22-year old is having an outstanding rookie season with the surging Bruins, including this goal where he was pretty much 1-on-4 with the Blues defense while shorthanded.

4. Henrik Zetterberg vs. Colorado Avalanche, May 1

Having the state of mind as you're spinning around airborne to put your stick to the ice and attempt a shot is something not many NHL'ers possess. The 2008 Conn Smythe winner showed his hockey sense and determination to somehow puck the puck top shelf.

3. Jonathan Toews vs. Detroit Red Wings, Dec. 6

Let us hope that NHL ice man Dan Craig and his crew give us some great ice on Thursday, where we'll have the opportunity to see the skating and puck handling ability that Toews displayed during a 5-4 shootout loss to the Red Wings earlier this month.

2. Rick Nash vs. Phoenix Coyotes, Jan. 17

A few of the requirements for "Goal of the Year" candidates the last few seasons has included: game-winning goal, number of stick dekes and, of course, whether or not it was against the Coyotes.

Nash's goal encompasses all three and I believe Derek Morris and Keith Ballard are still looking for the puck.

What is it with Phoenix and highlight reel goals taking place in Jobing.com Arena?

1. John Tavares vs. Slovakia, Dec. 23

The fact that this goal was scored in Canada, by a Canadian wunderkind and during a World Junior Championship exhibition, was enough for the hype scale to blow up.  Fortunately, Tavares' goal was a beautiful mix of concentration and hand-eye coordination deeming it worthy of the 2008 "Goal of the Year"

Be sure to also check out this sweet angle of the goal shot by a fan in attendance that night.

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52 Comments

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  1. jkrdevil
    1. Posted by jkrdevil Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    Shootout goals shouldn't count.
  2. Cody
    2. Posted by Cody Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:51 pm EDT

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    rick nash should have been 1st
  3. JUMBO
    3. Posted by JUMBO Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:44 pm EDT

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    That Rick Nash goal will forever be the best goal ever in my book.
  4. puck it dano
    4. Posted by puck it dano Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    Happy New Year everyone, and be safe!
  5. Matthew G
    5. Posted by Matthew G Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    exhibition goals should not be number one.
  6. Mazarin
    6. Posted by Mazarin Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    No Versteeg Dive?
  7. Whale4ever
    7. Posted by Whale4ever Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:59 pm EDT

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    No love for Ovie's masterpiece last week? Hmph.
    Happy New Year all!
  8. Airespapa
    8. Posted by Airespapa Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:47 pm EDT

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    JT was #1 aammmmmazzzzinggg for sure & Nash a close 2nd.
  9. carl_vs_mastershake
    9. Posted by carl_vs_mastershake Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    What would the end of the year be without one of those "Top 10" lists?
    It would be refreshing for someone in print not to use the same old tired ideas. Maybe new and innovative ideas will come with the new year.
    Enjoy your drinks and watch out for cops treating everyone like criminals because they are out celebrating.
  10. carl_vs_mastershake
    10. Posted by carl_vs_mastershake Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    I love Ya Leahy even if you are a Pens fan.
  11. Curtis W
    11. Posted by Curtis W Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Exhibition goals, shoot out goals should not count? Yeah ok, I was watching the #1 goal on TV and all I could think was "WHAT" I watched it maybe 50 times trying to figure out how much skill it would take to be able to not only just do that but to also do it while watching a big defensemen about to hammer you right after you do it, it's a #1 goal don't argue you know it's true. I thought Wheeler's goal should have been a littler higher considering hes a rookie and that was shorthanded, Rick Nash's was a combination of pure skill, dangles and a little bit of good luck, still a beauty though.
  12. dloville
    12. Posted by dloville Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    @jkrdevil + Matthew G: yeah, I hope for the 2009 list they use the Top 10 Goals Scored in 2nd Periods by Guys Using Composite Sticks and Mission Gloves
  13. Leahy
    13. Posted by Leahy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:27 pm EDT

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    @carl_vs_mastershake: cheers to you, sir!
  14. Lukas S
    14. Posted by Lukas S Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:58 pm EDT

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    nash's is my favorite goal all time, the tavares one seems more dependent upon a little luck unlike nash's which was all skill
  15. shaggyspeedy
    15. Posted by shaggyspeedy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:16 pm EDT

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    Love Rick Nash's goal, I'm just wondering where the hell he is this year!
    Also, that Tavares goal is a beaut. Whoever gets dibs on him has an absolute stud on their hands.
  16. Travis H
    16. Posted by Travis H Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

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    tavares' goal was nice, but the majority of any hockey player that is at least decent could do this, given the opportunity, dont get me wrong, it was a beaut, and deserved top 10, but not 1st, rick nash #1. Skill, Speed, Dirty Hands
  17. Matt J
    17. Posted by Matt J Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    Wait... the year's not over yet. Check out the goal Sergei Samsonov just scored against the Thrashers a couple of minutes ago. Falling down, backhand, top shelf. BEAUTIFUL!
  18. The Great One
    18. Posted by The Great One Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    Wysh, what the hell? Tavares' goal was simply right place, right time. He was cool under pressure, but any kid that has ever played hockey and practiced can do that all day. He had no one to beat and pulled off the same thing even I have in a street hockey game.
    Clearly I'm a Boston born Bruins fan, so I think Wheeler's goal was more impressive and required more skill.
    BUT
    The goal of the year, if those are the Top 10, is the Nash goal. He cleaned out everyone's ego and put on more moves than you at the Blue Oyster Bar.
    Tavares? Whatever. It's a kid playing against kids.
  19. Shawn
    19. Posted by Shawn Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:18 pm EDT

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    shootout goals shouldnt count...they don't count as goals for the players ;)
  20. The Great One
    20. Posted by The Great One Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    "It's like he was anticipating the puck to take a bad bounce and hop over Vesa Toskala's glove."
    Yeah, when that happens, it sure should end up on the Top 10 goals list.
    It was a fluke and a gaffe. It was not skillful.
  21. MONKEY MAN
    21. Posted by MONKEY MAN Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

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    after viewing all ten:
    it's pretty funny that I thought Nash's goal was supreme, then read the first comments.
    that was far and away the most talented goal scored. he turned 3 guys inside out, on the road yet.
  22. Cambria K
    22. Posted by Cambria K Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    I agree with you on everything except for 1 & 2. Nash should be first and Tavares second.
  23. Bluelander
    23. Posted by Bluelander Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    @ GW
    Thanks for posting Evan Trupp's goal!
    @ everyone
    All were great goals, but this is how I would rank them. Also, I'm not a Wings fan.
    1. Zetterberg
    2. Franzen
    3. Nash
    4. Wheeler
    5. Trupp
  24. Rafa
    24. Posted by Rafa Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    agree, 1 & 2 switched
  25. Cramshawbar
    25. Posted by Cramshawbar Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    Goals aside...what absolute crap this You Tube is. The quality is tremendously bad...can't even see the puck, for crying out loud. It has gotto improve or go!

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Puck Daddy is an NHL blog edited by Greg Wyshynski. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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