By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter
October 18, 2024
The Vancouver Canucks (1-1-2) won their first game of the season 3-2 in overtime defeating the Florida Panthers (3-2-1) at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida on Thursday, October 17th, 2024.
The Canucks opened the scoring with a goal from Teddy Blueger in the first period. The Panthers replied back before the end of the period on a goal by Jesper Boqvist.
In the second period, Quinn Hughes restored the Canucks lead at 2-1 but Florida would tie the game at 2-2 with a minute left in the period on a goal by Anton Lundell on the power play.
The final period was scoreless, with extra time needed to decide the winner.
In overtime, J.T. Miller scored the game-winning goal for the Canucks just 2:09 into extra time. Miller deked around a Florida player inside the Panthers’ end and sniped a wrist shot past Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Canucks offense was lead by Hughes with a goal and assist; Blueger, Miller with goals. Helpers went to Danton Heinen, Jake DeBrusk, Kiefer Sherwood, Brock Boeser, and Nils Aman.
Hughes also had a career-high 9 shots on goal. Sherwood had 10 hits in the game, and Elias Pettersson 4 blocked shots in the contest.
Kevin Lankinen made 26 saves for the Canucks, while Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 shots for the Panthers.
Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet after the game:
The Panthers were missing forwards Aleksander Barkov (lower body) and Matthew Tkachuk (illness).
The Canucks were without Derek Forbort who is dealing with a personal matter and unavailable indefinitely.
The Canucks will look to build on this win as they continue their road trip against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.