The Florida Panthers staged an incredible comeback against the Carolina Hurricanes, overcoming a three-goal deficit to win in a shootout. This remarkable turnaround marks a first for the Panthers, who had never won a game after trailing by three goals with just ten minutes remaining.
Game Highlights
Florida’s Brad Marchand ignited the comeback at 10:16 in the third period, narrowing the score to 3-1. Sam Bennett contributed significantly, winning a crucial puck battle behind the net and setting up Marchand with a quick shot past Hurricanes’ goalie Brandon Bussi. Bennett then scored himself at 17:35, cutting the deficit to 3-2 while Sergei Bobrovsky was pulled for an extra attacker.
Crucial Moments
- Brad Marchand scored at 10:16, making it 3-1.
- Sam Bennett scored at 17:35, closing the gap to 3-2.
- Sam Reinhart tied the game to 3-3 with just 42 seconds left.
Reinhart’s goal came as he one-timed a pass from Marchand, again with Bobrovsky off the ice. Each of Marchand, Bennett, and Reinhart registered both a goal and an assist in the match.
Shooting Triumph
During the shootout, Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues managed to score, sealing the Panthers’ victory. Bobrovsky recorded 26 saves throughout the game. This win adds to the Panthers’ impressive streak, having claimed four consecutive victories and seven wins in their last eight games. Their overall record now stands at 19-13-2.
Carolina Hurricanes Performance
Sebastian Aho stood out for the Hurricanes, scoring two goals in the contest, while Bussi delivered a notable performance with 38 saves but fell short of achieving his 10th consecutive win. Aho’s opening goals included a second-period breakaway that pushed Carolina ahead, as well as a power play shot that made the score 3-0 at 7:34 of the third period.
- Jordan Staal opened the scoring for Carolina at 11:53 of the first period.
- Aho added two goals, including one on the power play.
- Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov each recorded two assists.
Despite their strong efforts and a five-game winning streak prior to this matchup, the Hurricanes now hold a record of 22-9-3.
