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The Stanley Cup Finals moved to Las Vegas for Game 3 with the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes tied 1-1 after splitting the first two games in Raleigh.
And, as you’d expect from the Golden Knights, this one started with a little theater, plus a little help from the city’s last hope at quarterback, who joined in the festivities.
That’s correct. Who better to act as siren than Raiders draft pick and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza?
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There was a big surprise early in the game: Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb — who took a slap shot directly to the face Thursday in Game 2 — was in the Vegas lineup, but with a full cage.
It goes without saying, but hockey players are just built differently.
The first period was physical but ultimately scoreless as Carolina gained 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, he was ruled offside after a Carolina challenge.
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Minutes later, Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel found the back of the net, but Carolina also contested that goal after Vegas’ Ivan Barbashev made contact with Canes goalie Frederik Andersen’s head.
It was another simple review that kept the 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 didn’t take long for Tomas Hertl to make them pay.
Then, moments later – 16 seconds to be exact – Mitch Marner was credited with a goal after Carolina defender Sean Walker sent his shot into the back of his own net.
But hey, these own goals are not fun; Marner wanted to get one the old-fashioned way, which he did.
What is it, do you want more?
Well, Mitch Marner – who knows the playoffs of a lifetime – had more for you.
That’s right, Marner scored a hat trick in just six minutes and 10 seconds. This is an NHL record.
Although I bet the Rocket’s first goal with his super-fast shot 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 a performance. Maybe he was just doing that so that the next time the team put him on a rally towel it would actually look like him.
After the second intermission, Andersen was pulled in favor of Brand Bussi, who made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut.
Carolina was in disarray in the third, and after a power play, Sebastian Aho hit Marner, who was heading toward the net on a short-handed breakaway.
Marner got a penalty shot, but Bussi didn’t give him much to shoot at and Marner missed his attempt on the backhand.
Although it looked bleak after a dominant second for Vegas, in the third Carolina scored the fastest three goals in Stanley Cup Final history to make it a game. (Photo by Josh Lavallée/NHLI via Getty Images))
Carolina’s Jordan Martinook scored the Hurricanes just under halfway through the third period to make it 4-1.
Moments later, Taylor Hall added another to cut Vegas’ lead to 4-2.
And while they’re scoring goals, how about adding a Jordan Staal tally?
Carolina scored those three goals in 39 seconds, the fastest three goals by a single team in Stanley Cup Final history, once again turning what undoubtedly looked like a Vegas victory into a game.
Carolina overturned a delay of game penalty, which was crucial to staying in the game.
Then Vegas’ Shea Theodore flew a puck into the stands to delay the 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 goaltender pulled.
And with that, it was time for overtime for the second game in a row.
In the overtime period, both teams had their share of chances and chances to end this one and reach the craps tables, but the first overtime period yielded no winners.
In the second overtime we finally got a winner, and as wild as that game was, it was only fitting that the winner was incredible.
By the way, this is the same Shea Theodore who sent the puck into the stands to set up the tying 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 winning goal in double overtime. (Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images)
What. A. Game.
I think after this one, Game 4 – which takes place Tuesday in Las Vegas – is officially a date.
