Then, the Panthers pounced.
Matthew Tkachuk got here via within the clutch and scored a vital purpose to tie the sport within the closing moments of regulation. In additional time, Carter Verhaeghe unleashed a strong wrist shot from the slot that soared excessive into the again of the online, giving the Panthers a 3-2 victory on Thursday night time.
How do you spell OT hero? #StanleyCup
S-W-A-G-G-Y ???? pic.twitter.com/XJuBhq0kPI
— NHL (@NHL) June 9, 2023
The thrilling comeback gave the Florida Panthers their first win in a Stanley Cup Final and injected the workforce with some much-needed momentum heading right into a important Game 4 on Saturday night time, June 10, at FLA Live enviornment.
Cardiac Cats
Seizing a victory from the clutches of a supposedly stronger opponent is a well-recognized prevalence for a workforce that has constantly been underestimated and written off all through the postseason. The Panthers snuck into the playoffs because the eight-seed by a whisker and have not seemed again since.
“We’re the Cats,” mentioned additional time hero Verhaeghe after his fourth profession playoff additional time purpose. “We have no matter lives we now have, however it’s superior. It exhibits how nice our workforce is and the fellows on our workforce haven’t any give up in them.”
“They all counted us out earlier than the (SCF) even began.”
-Matthew Tkachuk@FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/AApXiN2sn7
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) June 9, 2023
The Panthers’ postseason savior Tkachuk, who has scored 11 objectives in these playoffs, together with three additional time game-winners of his personal, put the Panthers’ never-say-die mindset a bit extra bluntly, telling media after the sport the workforce is not involved with the naysayers. One means or one other, Florida has, and can, get the job finished, he mentioned.
“We do not understand how we will get there,” mentioned Tkachuk, “But we will do every little thing we will to get there.”
Panthers taking part in Pepas minutes earlier than OT begins.
What does this imply, @WillManso? pic.twitter.com/YBtvAeF84D
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) June 9, 2023
Panthers’ Premature “Pepas”
Nothing in the meanwhile signifies a South Florida workforce is on the cusp of victory greater than the candy, candy melody of Farruko’s “Pepas” soothing followers’ ears.
The Miami Heat have made the anthem fashionable, taking part in it late in video games when the workforce is on strong floor and victory is effectively within reach. The Panthers, presumably uncertain how the “Pepas” works, did all of it backward on Thursday night time, taking part in the track earlier than their overtime-winning purpose.
Did they know one thing? Maybe. Should they try this once more? Probably not. There are guidelines all of us dwell by in society, Panthers.
Premature “Pepas.” It works each time, 50 p.c of the time.
What’s Next: Game 4, FLA Live Arena, Saturday 8:00 p.m.
Folks — we now have a collection. Put these brooms away and cease along with your ethical victories. The Florida Panthers are three intervals away from tying up the Stanley Cup Final and making it a best-of-three contest for the massive silver trophy.
Though they could be bruised and down a recreation, the Panthers are nearer than they’ve ever been to profitable all of it and judging by their tenacity final night time, they will style victory regardless of how far-off it appears.