There was a double dosage of Sebastian Aho goals on Thursday night, but both occurred in separate games.
Sebastian Aho of the Hurricanes and Sebastian Aho of the Islanders each scored a goal last night in their respective games. It would have been cool enough to have players sharing identical names pot a goal in one night, but the two did it at nearly the same time as well.
Seeing double Sebastian Aho action tonight... 👥 pic.twitter.com/NYEA6I5AyY
— NHL (@NHL) April 1, 2022
7:14:40 pm ET Sebastian Aho scores for the Islanders
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 31, 2022
7:15:14 pm ET Sebastian Aho scores for the Hurricanes
It was just a mere 34 seconds that separated the two tallies, one occurring at the UBS Arena in Belmont, N.Y., and the other at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C.
The Aho of the Hurricanes is a pretty well-known player. He's quickly become a dominant offensive center, leading the Hurricanes in points this season, and is one of the best players in the league. His goal on Thursday was his 31st on the year.
However, the casual hockey fan might not have even known there was another Sebastian Aho in the league who plays for the Islanders. The defenseman has just 28 games played at the NHL level this season and the tally was his first of the 2021-22 season.
Who is the Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho?
Aho has been the face of the Hurricanes' franchise for the past couple of seasons as Carolina has evolved into a Cup contender.
The 24-year-old from Finland was taken in the second round of the 2015 draft by the Hurricanes, but has certainly exceeded expectations. He's averaging more than a point per game for the third time in four years, with 68 points in 65 games. He leads the Canes in that category, as well as first in goals, with 31, and he's second on the team in assists, with 37.
Aho was selected to his second All-Star Game in February. The elite center has helped the Hurricanes to the top spot in the Metropolitan Division and has helped make them one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference.
Who is the Islanders' Sebastian Aho
The Sebastian Aho on Long Island is a lot less known in the hockey community. The defenseman was taken in the fifth round of the 2015 draft and hails from Sweden.
The Islanders blue liner saw 22 games of action in the NHL in the 2017-18 season, but didn't get called up again until three seasons later when he played in three games last year.
This season, Aho has appeared in 28 contests, and his goal on Thursday was his first of the season. He's added nine assists as well in his third year of action.
