SUNRISE | Martin St-Louis often says that hockey is like math. There are always several calculations on a mirror. The Panthers did the right additions and subtractions in this encounter, but they completely screwed up their last problem to solve.
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With a score of 1 to 1 at the end of the third period, we were destined for an extension for this second meeting between the Lightning and the Panthers. But the Lightning found a way to avoid that fourth period by scoring a game-winning goal with 3.8 seconds left on the clock.
“The Lightning is a team that makes almost no mistakes, summed up Andrew Brunette. We played for 59 minutes and 40 seconds without making too many mistakes. We played our game. I thought we had more energy and fighting spirit. But the last 20 seconds leave a very bitter taste. »
An unpredictable game
On the winning goal, there was confusion behind Sergei Bobrovsky’s net as Gustav Forsling and MacKenzie Weegar each charged past Nikita Kucherov to open the door for Ross Colton.
“It was difficult to predict his pass (Kucherov), recognized Bobrovsky. He was behind the net, he made a good pass and it was a good shot (Colton). »
Brunette had sent her fourth line with Eetu Luostarinen, Noel Acciari and Patric Hornqvist for the last seconds of this third period. The Panthers were coming off a power play where they had played with five forwards. The head coach therefore found himself with fewer options since several of his attackers had run out of gas in their tanks.
“I liked our match, we were in a good position, summed up Brunette. We controlled the puck with 20 seconds. But we didn’t handle it well. We made a fatal mistake. We had the puck behind our net. We lost a battle. »
A quiet locker room
It was predictable. But there was not a heated atmosphere in the Panthers conference room after the meeting. It was as calm and quiet as when the fans left the stands at the very end of the game.
“We will need to regroup, we will have to remain a united team, summarized Bobrovsky. We were all disappointed after the meeting. We remained silent in the locker room. But we are professionals. We know what is at stake for the next game. We can change the future, not the past. »
Brunette also acknowledged that this setback had the effect of a stab.
“It’s very difficult, it’s not easy,” said the head coach of the Panthers. There is no doubt that it hurts. In series, we go through roller coasters. But the sun will rise again tomorrow. »
“We will need to play like we have for the vast majority of our first two games. It falls into the category of learning. »
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