Updated 06:39 | Posted at 06:35
Sunrise, Florida. Florida magic is back.
The Cats finally fought back against Vegas in the Stanley Cup Finals last night – after a late equalizer by captain Matthews Tkachuk and sudden death goal by Carter Verhaig.
– Now it looks like things are going to change, said Swedish defender Gustav Forsling when we met him after the 3-2 win.
Yes, plastic mice rained on the ice at FLA Live in Sunrise again last night.
Because after two straight losses against Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena, the Florida Panthers once again looked to save their fans with a fantasy ending.
Trailing 1-2 a few minutes before the end of the regular time of the match, they managed to knock out the wonderful goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky.
Soon after, driver Matthew Tkachuk scored the equalizing goal.
He was knocked out before the blackout
Then extra-time drama followed for the first time in this year’s final and lasted just over four minutes before Carter Verhaeghe scored the winning goal, assisted by Gustav Forsling.
– Yes, a little magic is back. That’s how it was throughout the qualifiers. We’re pretty confident at the end of the games,” Forsling says during a conversation with Swedish media in the corridor outside the Panthers’ dressing room.
Gustav himself went on a difficult ejection when only 11 seconds of normal game time remained, and was therefore sent off when overtime began.
It wasn’t fun sitting there, he smiles.
– Especially after this expulsion. But this is sometimes the case.
And you can take it when you still win. Because with the win, the Panthers narrowed the final game and forced at least one more game in Las Vegas.
– Now I think it will turn around, continues the 26-year-old Ostgotten.
– They scored twice in the Powerplay, so we have to make sure we stay out of the box, because five on five I think we’re better.
Problem I force play
It would also help if the cats themselves scored a goal for power play every now and then. They had 12 chances in the final – scoring zero on each occasion.
– There was a slight modification of the series of matches against Carolina. They apply a little more pressure while Vegas pulls back a little more. But I think our men are figuring out what to do now, says Gustav.
Who enjoys every second of the continuous finale.
– Yes, it is very interesting to play these matches. It’s a dream you’ve always dreamed of and now you’re here.
The next match will also take place at Sunrise – on Sunday night.
Then Gustav and the other cats can sign.
