The Florida Panthers managed to not be eliminated in Game 3 and forced a Game 4 with an impressive win over the New York Islanders.
Do you believe in miracles? I know for me at least, I wanted to believe that the Florida Panthers would come through and win Game 3, and it happened! It really happened! Head coach Joel Quenneville made five skater alternations, including benching Mike Matheson and giving players like Eric Haula an opportunity to show what they’re made of on the ice.
Speaking of Mr. Haula, he scored his first goal with the Panthers and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The game overall was just so much better. Bobrovsky really stepped it up, as did our Power Play unit. Of course, we still took some penalties that could’ve been prevented, but all in all, it was a much better game. We scored two Power Play goals, which was excellent!!! There was a lot better communication on the ice and everyone did their part.
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Of course, there were moments where Panthers fans were holding their breath, such as when the Islanders tied up the game 1-1 towards the end of the second period and when the Islanders scored a goal towards the very end of the game to make it 3-2, which ended up being the final score.
However, the good certainly outweighed the bad in this game. I jumped up and down and cried happy tears when the clock hit all zeros and the game was over because that meant that my team was living to fight another day.
I’m going to be completely honest. I wasn’t expecting to be writing this article today with a glimmer of hope and pride like I am now. I know how difficult it must be to find the urgency and the will to get into a game that most people believed you’d lose and end up packing your bags and heading home, but that’s not what happened here.
That’s not what happened to this team. Why? Simply stated, the Florida Panthers deserve to be here. They deserve to be in the position they’re in where they’re proving that a playoff spot deserves to be theirs.
Of course, this series is not over yet, and the sense of urgency needs to continue on Friday to try and tie the series up to send it to a Game 5 and then try to accomplish something that only one other team in a best of 5 series has ever done, but to be honest, them winning today was such a huge accomplishment.
I’m so glad I got to witness it as a fan albeit on my couch at home rather than in the stands at the game, but the electrifying energy was still the same, the emotions were still the same, the pride I have in my team was still the same.
So now, the Panthers face the challenge of keeping this excellent momentum going in their direction and coming out on Friday and putting on a display of teamwork, tenacity, camaraderie, and leadership.
It’s the greatest show on ice and I’m so happy that it’s going to continue for AT LEAST one more day, one more game, sixty more glorious minutes. That’s all I’ve got for now Panthers fans. As always, thank you for reading and for your incredible support. Have a wonderful day and as I always say: Let’s Go Cats!