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The Stanley Cup Finals shifted to Las Vegas for Game 3 with the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes tied 1-1 after splitting the opening two games in Raleigh.
And as you’d expect from the Golden Knights, this one kicked off with some theatrics plus a little help from the city’s latest quarterback hope, who was about to join the festivities.
That’s right. Who better to turn on the siren than Raiders draft pick and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza?
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There was one big surprise when the game got underway: Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb — who took a slapshot directly to the face Thursday in Game 2 — was in the Vegas lineup, albeit with a full cage.
It goes without saying, but hockey players are just built differently.
The first period was physical but ultimately scoreless, with Carolina getting more offensive opportunities, leading Vegas in shots 7-2.
Vegas captain Mark Stone found the back of the net just 36 seconds into the second period; however, it was ruled offside following a Carolina challenge.
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A few minutes later, Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel found the back of the net, but Carolina also challenged that goal after Vegas’ Ivan Barbashev made contact with Canes goaltender Frederik Andersen’s head.
It was another cut-and-dried review that kept a Golden Knights tally off the board.
The first penalty of the night was self-inflicted when the Hurricanes were called for too many men, and it wasn’t long before Tomas Hertl made them pay.
Then, just moments later — 16 seconds to be exact — Mitch Marner was credited with a goal after Carolina defenseman Sean Walker tipped his shot into his own net.
But hey, these own goals aren’t fun; Marner wanted one the old-fashioned way, which he did.
What is it, do you want more?
Well, Mitch Marner — who is having the playoff game of his life — had more for you.
That’s right, Marner scored a hat trick in just six minutes and 10 seconds. That’s an NHL record.
Although I bet The Rocket’s first goal of his lightning fast hats wasn’t an own goal, but hey, they count the same.
Vegas star Mitch Marner took over in the second period of Game 3 with a natural hat trick in just six minutes and ten seconds. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
What an achievement. Maybe he just did it so the next time the team puts him on a rally towel, it looks like him.
After the second intermission, Andersen was pulled in favor of Brand Bussi, who made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut.
Carolina was in disarray in the third, and after going on a power play, Sebastian Aho chopped Marner, who was headed into the net on a short-handed breakaway.
Marner was awarded a penalty but Bussi didn’t give him much to shoot at and Marner missed his backhand attempt.
While it may have looked bleak after a dominant second for Vegas, in the third Carolina dropped the fastest three goals in Stanley Cup Finals history to make it a game. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images))
Carolina’s Jordan Martinook got the Hurricanes on the board a little under halfway through the third period to make it 4-1.
Just moments later, Taylor Hall tacked on another to cut Vegas’ lead to 4-2.
And while they’re scoring, how about you just throw a Jordan Staal tally in there?
Carolina scored those three goals in 39 seconds, the fastest three goals by a single team in Stanley Cup Final history, turning what looked like a sure-fire Vegas win into a game again.
Carolina killed a delay-of-game penalty that was crucial to stay in the game.
Then Vegas’ Shea Theodore airlifted a puck into the stands for delay of game, giving Carolina a late power play.
Then – as if it couldn’t get any wilder – Andrei Svechnikov tied the game on the power play and with the goalkeeper pulled.
And with that, it was overtime for the second game in a row.
In the extra frame, both teams had their share of chances and opportunities to put a pin in this one and hit the craps tables, but the first overtime period did not produce a winner.
In the second overtime, we finally got a winner, and as wild as this game was, it was only fitting that the winner would be incredible.
Incidentally, it is the same Shea Theodore who kicked the puck into the stands to set up the equalizing goal, and he did so after 39 minutes of ice time.
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Vegas players Brett Howden (21), Shea Theodore (center) and Mitch Marner (93) celebrate the game-winning goal in double overtime. (Lucas Peltier-Imagn photos)
What. A. Games.
I think after this one, Game 4 – which will be on Tuesday in Las Vegas – is officially the deal to watch.
