7 of the best, most filthiest shootout goals in the history of hockey

1. 2009: Mike Ribeiro‘s between-the-legs stunner

It’s hard to pick between Marek Malik’s between-the-legs shootout goal and Mike Ribeiro’s, but I give the edge to Ribeiro here because of the absolute confusion of goaltender Peter Budaj in net after witnessing what had happened. While that’s not exactly a part of Ribeiro’s attempt per se, and the goal itself is incredible, but it makes an already perfect shootout goal that much better.

Ribeiro’s between-the-legs goal also gets points because he twists himself nearly backwards while holding the puck on his backhand. Only then does he fire the puck between his legs on his forehand, which then ricochets off of Budaj’s mask and bounces helplessly into the net while the netminder remains none-the-wiser.

It’s a fantastic goal, made better by the fact that Ribeiro was confident enough to show his hand to Budaj with his half-turn to his backhand. Budaj was even ready for it too, as he was square to Ribeiro as soon as he made that move. However, Ribeiro was just too good in his execution — and had a bit of luck on his side too with that bounce — and the damage was done.

Budaj’s head shake after realizing the puck was in the net after the sequence was over just sums up why this goal remains the best shootout goal of all time.

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