Justin Dowling's first NHL goal was a long time coming, but it would've been great if he'd held out for another few minutes.

The 29-year-old Dallas Stars forward scored when he put the puck past Calgary Flames goalie Cam Talbot during the third period of a 3-1 win. He had plenty offriends and familyin the crowd, too, because he's from Cochrane, Alberta, located just outside Calgary.

Unfortunately, one very important member of his entourage missed the milestone. Dowling told reporters after the game that his mom was at the concession stand when he netted the goal.

"I already knew where they were," Dowling said. "I saw them in warmups. They always sit right in the corner, lower bowl, so I knew where they were sitting the whole time. I didn't realize that my mom was in the beer line when I scored my goal so she didn't even see it."

This wasn't the first time his parents saw him play in the Scotiabank Saddledome. He'd played in two other games with the Stars, but he didn't score. And also once played in an intermission game when he was a kid.

"It took a long time, but it's nice that it happened here," Dowling said. "I think it was meant to be, actually."

And even though his mom missed the goal, it only adds to a great story he'll be able to tell for years to come.

"Thankfully it went in. I had no legs, though," Dowling said. "It was coming at the end of the shift, so that's why I was worried about getting caught from behind, but once I got to the blueline and I saw no one was coming, that's kind of what I was going for."

Photo provided by the Dallas Stars.