COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ian Cole had scored the tying goal to help the Penguins spoil Marc-Andre Fleury’s return to Pittsburgh on Feb. 6 in a 5-4 win. At the time, Cole figured he wouldn’t see his old teammate again until next season, or possibly in this year’s Stanley Cup Finals if everything broke right.
Instead, Cole was traded from Pittsburgh to Ottawa and ultimately dealt to Columbus on Feb. 26. Tuesday, the defenseman renewed acquaintances with Fleury as well as former Penguins teammate Ryan Reaves when the Golden Knights met the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
“He’s one of my good buddies so it’ll be fun to give him some pad taps out there,” Cole said of Fleury, who started in net for the Knights.