Florida was outgunned by the Ducks right from the start, and never trailed until they lost. Anaheim put 36 shots on Roberto Luongo through the first 59:54 of the contest, to only 20 for Florida. Despite that, Florida led due to markers from hometown-boy Rocco Grimaldi and backliner Erik Gudbranson. The goals were the first of the season for each player.
Chris Stewart lit the lamp in the second for the Ducks, who relied on Corey Perry’s first goal of the season with just 5.1 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game on to a three-on-three overtime.
Overtime was crazy. Florida got five shots on net through the first three minutes, including a two-on-zero breakaway that Frederik Andersen somehow got in front of.
Luongo stopped two more shots in overtime, and was sometimes lights out bonkers. Andersen had a few highlight-reel moments as well, making 25 stops on Florida.
The shootout was Florida’s first of the season, and first ever against the Ducks. Brandon Pirri scored in the first round, Jakob Silfverberg evened it in the second, and Stewart ended it in the fourth.
Emotions raw, the Panthers face the San Jose Sharks tomorrow night at 10:30. See Fear The Fin for them, or Anaheim Calling for the Ducks. Check here in the morning for a recap with more bells and whistles.