Skip to main content
Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

Sanford scores winner for Capitals, then gets sent to AHL

Washington Capitals center Zach Sanford celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game as Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, back, looks on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Washington. It was Sanford's first NHL goal. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals center Zach Sanford celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game as Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, back, looks on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Washington. It was Sanford's first NHL goal. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Washington Capitals center Zach Sanford celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game as Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, back, looks on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Washington. It was Sanford's first NHL goal. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

By Associated Press 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – During the second intermission on Saturday night, Capitals rookie Zach Sanford told himself to “shoot a little more.”

He’ll have to remember that next time he’s in Washington.

Sanford scored the game-winning goal for the Capitals in a 6-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks, then was re-assigned to Hershey of the AHL.

“That was a pretty cool first one to get,” said Sanford, who helped Washington to a sixth straight victory and 12th consecutive home win. “There were a couple chances I passed up. And I got one, got the shot off and it went in.”

Sanford played his first NHL game since mid-December, and Washington announced after the game that the 22-year-old had been re-assigned to Hershey after being recalled from the Bears on Wednesday. The Capitals have their bye week coming up and don’t play again until next Saturday.