Brady Tkachuk scored three straight goals—including the overtime winner—as the Florida Panthers beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Thursday night.
The Story
SUNRISE — Brady Tkachuk completed a second straight natural hat trick when he scored the overtime winner to lift the Florida Panthers to a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Thursday night’s game.
Tkachuk’s run began in the second period with a tying goal at 8:49, then continued with the final two markers in a span that included his third straight goal late in regulation. With goalie Akira Schmid off for an extra attacker, Tkachuk tied the game with 13 seconds left in regulation on a one-timer from the right faceoff circle. He also scored at 11:11 and 19:47, and added the overtime winner at 02:23.
Vancouver’s first goal came from Liam Ohgren at 7:23 of the first period after a Florida turnover. Elias Pettersson then scored at 17:06, extending the lead with his third goal of the season. Filip Chytil, making his season debut after returning from a preseason shoulder injury, set up Pettersson’s shot from the slot.
The Panthers lost forward Eetu Luostarinen midway through the third period after he crashed into the back boards off a clean hit from Pettersson. Merilainen finished with 36 saves for Vancouver, while Schmid stopped 15 shots for Florida.
The Canucks entered the game having lost six straight, the last five to start a six-game trip. Before puck drop, Vancouver traded Aatu Raty to Toronto for fellow forwards Jacob Quillan and Brandon Buhr.
Florida next hosts Seattle on Saturday night.
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