Carter Hart -- who was acquitted of sexual assault in a Canadian court this summer -- made his return to the NHL ice with the Golden Knights on Tuesday, describing the moment as "amazing" after nearly two years away from the league.
Hart, a goalie, shined in Las Vegas' 4-3 win over the Blackhawks Tuesday night in Sin City, making 27 saves on 30 shots, including six in overtime. After the final horn sounded, the team mobbed Hart just beyond the net.
"I'm just so happy to be playing the game again."
An emotional return for Carter Hart — wiping away tears after his first win in Vegas, in his first NHL game in nearly two years. #VegasBornpic.twitter.com/pRi5NPp76Q
Washington Capitals star Dylan Strome had an emotional day on the ice Thursday ... 'cause after crushing the Montreal Canadiens 8-4 on the road, he revealed his wife went into labor during the game -- and he missed the birth of his third child.
Strome shared the news with reporters in front of his locker ... saying while he is proud of his wife, Taylor, he wished he could have been by her side in that moment.
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"Definitely playing with a lot of emotions," Strome said. "I found out after the first period tonight. I heard before the game and kind of talked about what I should do. I mean there was nothing I could do to get back."
12:08 PM PT -- According to court documents TMZ Sports has obtained, Ryan Kesler is accused of engaging in "sexual contact with a 16-year-old child" on January 1.
The docs state the alleged victim was "physically helpless" during the incident.
Former NHL center Ryan Keslerhas been charged with two misdemeanor counts of criminal sexual conduct ... but the former first-round draft pick is adamantly denying any wrongdoing.
Kesler entered a not guilty plea to the two counts on Monday ... after the charges were officially filed against him on October 23 in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Not much is known about the alleged wrongdoing ... other than it was reported to cops on January 2.
According to an Orchard Lake Police Department press release, bond for Kesler was set at $50,000 ... which he later posted.
Buffalo Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin just revealed his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, received a heart transplant this offseason ... detailing the traumatic experience that led up to the serious procedure in a letter to hockey fans.
The team shared Rasmus and Carolina's story on Friday morning ... with the defenseman stating his partner had felt sick for a few days before things took a dire turn.
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"Fortunately, she received CPR on multiple occasions, and up to a couple of hours at a time to keep her alive, which ultimately saved her life," Rasmus wrote. "Without her receiving lifesaving CPR, the result would have been unimaginable. It is hard to even think about the worst-case scenario."
