Two of the top offenses in the NHL went head to head on Sunday, and the better team came out on top. For the third time this past week the Florida Panthers faced the Carolina Hurricanes and picked up their third consecutive loss to them, this time in regulation.
Following a slow start, the Panthers found themselves in a 2-0 hole. MacKenzie Weegar then put the team on the board half way through the second period with a faceoff one-timer.
The Cats followed suit in the second half and were outscored 2-0 to fall to 4-1. Halfway through the third, rookie Mason Marchment, who saw time on the first line, scored to revive the team. The Cats had a powerplay and empty net shift and a high time on attack late in the third period, but to no avail. They finish the night with a 4-2 loss in regulation.
“It was one of those nights where over the course of the season there’s a couple games where, you know, whether it’s fatigue or scheduling that caught up to you,” head coach Joel Quenneville said. “I’m not making excuses, but tonight we weren’t great.”
We [are] gonna lose some…but just gotta forget about this one and be more ready when they come to [Florida],” said Huberdeau on the tough loss tonight.
Star of the Game: Mason Marchment (1 G)
Although the match wasn’t one to remember, it did shine the light on Marchment. Jonathan Huberdeau set the rookie up in front of the net for an open-net goal. The Rookie has gone on a tear since being called up to the team, even going on a four-game point streak, and scoring a point for the fifth time in six games. The Panthers have a bright future ahead of them with the young winger.
