“No lead is safe.”
By: Gabriela Yareliz
‘Chaos’ was the main word used to describe game three. There was a bizarre ‘Welcome to Vegas’ Cirque du Soleil situation at the beginning, a moving National Anthem, and the game began. It was a total snooze fest until the last half of the second period, where the gridlock was broken.
Some of the most impressive parts of the game were— McNabb returned with the cage on his face. He got 33+ minutes of ice time. His team was yelling “Warrior” when he was on ice.
Two VGK goals were disallowed after two Brind’Amour challenges. Carolina was watching the iPad like a hawk. The crowd was frustrated, but these seemingly were the right calls. VGK had to come again, and come correct— which they did thanks to Mitch Marner.
The turning point of this game was the penalty on Carolina for too many men on the ice. Things got spicy. There was a goal from Hertl, Walker put the puck into his own net (everyone cringed; this counted on Marner’s score sheet), and Marner had the insane breakaway before the end of the second period. Marner ended up scoring the fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup final history.
When the second period ended, I knew VGK’s lead was not safe. I said it out loud. I was like, VGK cannot get comfortable. They need to score again. Carolina loves to be asleep at the wheel, and suddenly wake up fifteen minutes out from the end of the game. In true Hurricane fashion, they stormed the third period, twelve minutes out from the end of regulation and tied this game. They had three goals in :39 seconds. This was insane.
Does Carolina want to win? I mean, yeah. No doubt about it. As no doubt as Gwen Stefani is. It’s like they see the third period ending, and suddenly get some sort of jolt. Major respect to Carolina for how they came back out of nowhere to push this game into overtime. We were shook. Tortorella’s face went from sassy-smug (his tan looks amazing and his hair is on point, though) to deeply concerned. Brind’Amour went from clenched jaw and tear-filled eyes to confidently serene (looking like freakin’ Gaston from Beauty and the Beast).
At the end of the first OT, the teams were still tied. It was truly anyone’s game. This series has been absolutely insane. Carolina’s desperation driving the action, and VGK slapping itself awake to remember it can’t be coasting.
When interviewed by media, Tortorella said he still hadn’t seen that last goal in the second OT and how it went in. I hadn’t seen it until this morning because your girl was asleep. (Not for lack of thrill, but that is how sleepy I got— it was midnight ok? I sleep like a grandma, and I was on ET).
VGK got a lucky bounce from a VGK-Hurricanes interaction that sealed VGK’s victory.
They say this game was one of the best in hockey history. Why? It was pure chaos. It’s clear that both teams want it. Both have gotten Lady Luck to kiss their die.
They say that 70% of the time, the winner of game one wins the series. And 77% of the time, it’s the winner of game three. So far, that pattern would point to VGK. But I don’t know. Carolina seems to come alive as the walls start closing in on them. And boy, do they come alive. They go from tropical storm to category four in :39 seconds.
The locker rooms seem to have a different approach. Tortorella has said that due to the team being veterans, he doesn’t say much in the locker room. He said not much was said ahead of OT when they knew they blew their four-point lead. They knew what needed to be done. Brind’Amour seems to be leading good old fashioned southern pep rallies back there.
VGK was sassy with that last lucky goal, saying it went “according to plan.” Tortorella said that was draws him to this game is the camaraderie.
“The camaraderie of it all. To watch a team be a team.” John Tortorella
Also, can we take a moment to discuss how ESPN is doing Emily Kaplan dirty again? I wrote about it here, before. Whoever is styling her needs to stop and give this job to whoever is in charge of Messier and PK. It’s pure sabotage on this poor woman. ESPN needs to invest in its women as it does with its men. Messier looks ten years younger this playoff season. Come on! Emily deserves the same.
Carolina was devastated but the cards were dealt as they were dealt. Props to VGK for not getting in their heads after two disallowed goals, and to Marner, who probably had the best game of his career. Respect to Carolina who woke tf up in the second half of the third period and decided to fight until end of regulation and beyond. Their second goalie Bussi (a Western Michigan U hockey player) was fantastic.
The question now becomes, as we head into game four territory, will the teams establish a rhythm or dominance or will it be pure chaos through the last buzzer in game seven? Nobody knows. But hey, there are two American teams fighting for the Stanley Cup— so I guess no matter what happens, America, on its 250th birthday, WINS. 🇺🇸
I leave you with the goal that won the chaotic game three:
GABRIELA YARELIZ 