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The Florida Panthers were on the ropes throughout much of Thursday’s Stanley Cup Final Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights, but they scored a miracle 3-2 victory on Carter Verhaeghe’s overtime goal.
The win cut the series deficit to 2-1 for the Panthers, who remain undefeated in overtime during the postseason.
After Jonathan Marchessault’s goal late in the second period gave the Golden Knights a 2-1 lead, the Panthers struggled to get much momentum going and looked to be on their way to a devastating loss on their home ice. However, Florida star Matthew Tkachuk came up clutch once again with a goal with 2:13 left in the third period to force overtime.
The extra period started out with the Panthers facing a power play by the Golden Knights, who scored both their goals on power plays in regulation. Fortunately for Florida, the penalty was killed and Verhaeghe broke through with a goal soon after to send fans at FLA Live Arena home happy.
Twitter was set ablaze after Verhaeghe’s stunning goal, with many excited that the Panthers avoided an insurmountable 3-0 deficit:
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
THE PANTHERS HAVE WON IT IN OVERTIME 🚨🚨🚨🚨
WE’VE GOT OURSELVES A SERIES FOLKS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/bs2YyZlnYk
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Carter Verhaeghe, a Stanley Cup champion 3 years ago, delivers the @FlaPanthers‘ first-ever victory in a Stanley Cup Final game. @NHLNetwork
Mike Golic Jr @mikegolicjr
Verhaeghe with a DART https://t.co/q9czZie1HB
Matt Zemek @MattZemek
The Panthers keep hitting on 18 and getting blackjack, as any resident of Las Vegas could tell you. https://t.co/grq4Efs2Y9
x – Jacob @ PantherPourri, a @FlaHockeyNow Podcast @PTPJacob
For the third time in his career, Carter Verhaeghe scores the biggest goal in Panthers history https://t.co/ARFzWCqqSw
Miami Mando 🙌🏝🏈⚾️🏀🥊🏒 @LakersCanes305
Season was looking like it was over… Panthers pull Bobrovsky with about 2:45-3:00 left… UNBELIEVABLE!!! Tkachuk ties it then a absolute bogus penalty on Panthers with :11 left.. Panthers in OT kill penalty then Verhaeghe wins it!!! #TimeToHunt
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Florida wins in OT.
We’ve got a series.
Game 4 is Saturday. @NHLNetwork
ᴀʀᴅᴀ Öᴄᴀʟ @Arda
The Panthers have now won 10 straight overtime playoff games overall, 2nd longest streak all-time behind the Montreal Canadiens (14 from 1993-1998)@ESPNStatsInfo
David Dwork @DavidDwork
Caught up quickly with Vinny Viola outside the Panthers locker room. He called that a franchise defining win. Hard to argue.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
PANTHERS WIN FIRST-EVER STANLEY CUP FINAL GAME IN OVERTIME 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wJtugwWkgo
B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIce
Tha Carter Verhaeghe fresh off the Game 3 OT winner with the @NHL_on_TNT desk 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yCOTpXAmyL
Florida made some silly mistakes early on with a total of eight penalties, but the team cleaned things up when it mattered most. If the Panthers can continue to play with discipline, they will have a great chance of tying the series.
The Panthers will look to keep the momentum going in Game 4 against the Golden Knights on Saturday night.
