Four points by Aleksander Barkov and a goal by Anton Lundell as Florida provided hockey performances in Tampere

Aleksander Barkov (1+3), Esa Lindell (1+1), Anton Lundell (1+0) and Niko Mikkola (0+1) scored points as Florida beat Dallas 6–4 in Finland .

Florida coach Paul Maurice spoke loudly and proudly about the team’s ability to face tough opposition before the game. And he had statistics to back up the claim.

Before Friday night, the Panthers had played five games against teams that went to the playoffs this spring – of those, the Panthers had won four and lost one in regular time.

At the same time, there were North American voices in the dressing room of Dallas who carefully expressed that loading a lot of travel days was not only across the Atlantic, but also within the Finland, so good.

With that as a starting point, it was quite logical that the “away team” Florida pressed the gas from the start, while Dallas was clearly stronger than both the opposition and its own support among the crowd (who knew it well. what words to shout during the US national anthem :’s).

Start dreaming for Florida

The payment came immediately after Florida replaced Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen from the ceremony from five: Aleksander Barkov passed the blue line, Aaron Ekblad’s shot and Evan Rodrigues made it 1-0 after 28 seconds of play.

Then it was the captain’s turn and the favorite team stepped forward. Barkov received a clever but delicious pass from Sam Reinhart, he had all the time in the world to make the cross – or at least close enough – and Florida led 2-0.

If anything has characterized Dallas in recent years, it is the team’s ability to stay in the game.

Tyler Seguin also made a layup midway through the opening game when he saw, behind the extended goal line, that Sergej Bobrovsky was in a bad position in the Panthers goal and put the puck through.

Dallas also had to go on a power play soon after – for no pay. And not even a minute after that outing ended, it was Florida’s chance to try a numerical advantage play.

Then it was Anton Lundell’s turn to show off.

There were only two seconds left when Ekblad (again) sent a shot for control and this time it was Lundell who got the stick at the right angle in his way.

Esa Lindell scorer

With a 3-1 lead, it was no surprise that Dallas came out of the locker room energized for the second period. Meanwhile, the unbelievable blue-and-white goal cavalcade continued – Esa Lindell had to put the puck in after a brilliant pass from Jason Robertson before there was even time to be two minutes. age.

Suddenly, it felt like Florida was rocking – and when Mackie Samoskevich hit two pointers five minutes into the game, they were pushed back even further. Everyone in Tampere Arena believed.

The Barkov-Reinhart radar couple had other plans. Barkov started a path, passed the puck to the Vancouver stealer who made no mistake. 4-2 in box play.

With a new two-goal deficit to build upon after the second timeout, Dallas again looked to focus on the pace as the third period began. But again this time it was Florida who put the puck in.

Niko Mikkola intercepted a Dallas pass in front of his own goal and started a quick attack. Mackie Samoskevich was first on a loose sack inside the Dallas field, elected to catch the snap and at the same time caught Jake Oettinger completely by surprise.

The buzzer sounded

Then it became wort.

Dallas’ fourth string had been pouring into the offensive zone for almost an eternity as Florida’s first team quickly turned the game around. But as they did, the time reached half way and for some reason the buzzer sounded in the hall.

The clock stopped – but the teams didn’t stop playing. Barkov quickly passed Reinhart completely free who put the puck in. Dallas protested. The judges held a quick meeting.

– The clock stopped but the goal stood, read the quick judgment.

A four-goal deficit against the reigning Stanley Cup champions immediately felt like an impossible mission and the air seemed to have gone out of the crowd as well. It wasn’t even Roope Hintz’s free-kick, just after the restart, that got the stands full going (Bobrosvkij saved the shot).

The Dallas Slots chose to continue giving plenty of ice time to the fourth chain as the top chains did not create chances. They also scored a sympathy goal. With just over four minutes left, Mavrik Bourque took the puck away from under Bobrovskij and reduced the score to 3-6. His first NHL goal.

Then the rest of the players woke up too. And in the last minute of the game, Jamie Benn rallied it to 4-6, but the game was already decided.

Florida opened the Tampere double with a surprising victory.

The article has been updated.

Result

Dallas–Florida 4–6 (1–3, 1–1, 1–2)
00.28 Evan Rodrigues (Aaron Ekblad, Aleksander Barkov) 0–1
07.11 Aleksander Barkov (Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues) 0–2
10.45 Tyler Seguin (Ilya Ljubusjkin, Matt Duchene) 1–2
15.52 Anton Lundell (Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett) 1–3 power play

21.32 Esa Lindell (Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene) 2–3
26.07 Sam Reinhart (Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad) box play 2–4

42.31 Mackie Samoskevich (AJ Greer, Niko Mikkola) 2–5
50.08 Sam Reinhart (Aleksander Barkov, Gustav Forsling) 2–6
55.38 Mavrik Bourque (Sam Steel, Ilya Lyubushkin) 3–6
59.27 Jamie Benn (Logan Stankoven, Esa Lindell) 4–6