Golden Knights Working On Another Comeback Effort, Leading Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3, In Third Period In Cup Final Game 1 In Raleigh, NC
By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The Carolina Hurricanes had ambushed the Vegas Golden Knights with a fast 2-0 lead in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final when VGK coach John Tortorella told his players they they would get their chances with lots of hockey left to be paid at the arena in Raleigh, NC.
Tortorella, who reminded his team to not play “east-west” hockey, was right.
The VGK ripped off three straight goals in the first and second periods thanks to goals by Shea Theodore, Ivan Barbashev nd William Karlsson to assume a 3-2 lead.
In a game marked by some sloppy puck management and giveaways, Carolina captain Jordan Staal toed the game at three apiece entering the third period.
The Staal simply delayed the dramatic inevitable: that the Golden Knights would find to score a clutch goal.
After Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers scores 25 seconds into the first period and Barbashev scored 30 secinds into the second period, Theodore made a nice move and fed a slick pass to VGK playoff scoring machine Brett Howden who redirected the puck past Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen for a Vegas 4-3 lead only a minute and 21 seconds into the third period.
Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb. known for his bone-crunching hip checks and stellar defensive play, assisted on Howden’s goal — the Nabber’s third assist of the game.
