Owen Tippett scored twice in the third period to lead the Florida Panthers to a penalty-filled 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in a neutral site exhibition game at Amway Center in Orlando.
With the score knotted at one, Tippett converted on an unassisted breakaway 2:23 into the final frame to put the Cats up by a goal for the second time in the game.
Here’s @TippettOwen‘s go-ahead goal.
Awesome hit by Lammikko to set it up. pic.twitter.com/vjYGAst6en
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) October 6, 2021
Tippett, who fought Corey Perry in the opening period, added another at the 9:12 mark, beating Andrei Vasilevskiy five-hole with Sam Bennett screening in front. Bennett and Jonathan Huberdeau collected the helpers on the eventual game-winning goal.
Here’s a look at Tippett’s second goal of the game.
Bennett making things happen in front as usual. pic.twitter.com/K6YDmNroMj
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) October 6, 2021
Frank Vatrano opened the scoring with the only goal of the first period when he put the puck home after Vasilevskiy kicked away Mason Marchment’s one-timer from the right circle. Aaron Ekblad picked up the secondary assist on Vatrano’s fourth of the preseason.
Tanklin 🚨 pic.twitter.com/6GS5xLEOXR
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) October 5, 2021
Spencer Knight went the distance for the Cats and finished the tilt with 28 saves.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Mikhail Sergachev scored the Tampa Bay goals. Pat Maroon and Taylor Raddysh were credited with assists. Vasilevskiy stopped 25 of 28 shots faced.
It looks Noel Acciari could be out long term after suffering an upper body injury.
Florida iced an NHL-heavy lineup during the game. Prospect defensemen Chase Priskie and Matt Kiersted, both still in contention for a roster spot, did play. Priskie registered a shot on goal and finished plus-one. Kiersted also had a shot on goal and finished with an even rating.
The two teams will meet again on Thursday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa.
Video Recap (NHL.com)