Long Island native Ryan Vesce scored his first National Hockey League goal on Saturday night to help the San Jose Sharks to a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.
With family and friends in attendance, Vesce broke a 1-1 tie at 16:24 of the second period. It was his first NHL appearance of the season after being recalled on Friday from Worcester, where he has tallied one goal and two assists in three outings.
Vesce played 10 games with San Jose in 2008-09 without recording a point.
"That first goal is behind me, and hopefully I can get some more," Vesce told the San Jose Mercury News. "I just want to keep getting better and earn a spot here."
Vesce, 27, led the AHL Sharks with 24 goals and 71 points in 67 games last season, and represented the organization at the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic held in Worcester.
In 230 career AHL contests with Worcester, Binghamton and Springfield, Vesce has registered 59 goals and 133 assists for 192 points.
