The NHL Global Series brought a thrilling showcase to Tampere, where the Florida Panthers defeated the Dallas Stars 6-4 in a dynamic matchup. Seven Finnish players between the two teams added a special element to the game, taking the ice before a hometown crowd eager to see their national stars in action.
A Celebration of Finnish Heritage
This game, part of a two-night showcase in Finland, comes on the heels of the NHL regular-season kickoff in Prague, Czechia.. This series highlights international talent, and the Finnish players were featured prominently in the pre-game festivities. Coaches from both teams included all seven Finns in the starting line-up, igniting the Nokia Arena crowd as the Finnish national anthem resonated through the arena.
Panthers Strike Early and Dominate the First Period
Florida wasted no time, with Evan Rodrigues scoring just 28 seconds into the game. His wrist shot from the blue line glided past Jake Oettinger, giving the Panthers an early edge. Dallas struggled to recover as the Panthers' fast-paced start kept them from gaining momentum.
Seven minutes later, Florida capitalized again on a 3-on-2 play. Aleksander Barkov, the hometown hero from Tampere, finished off a slick setup from Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart, beating Oettinger in the top corner. Midway through the period, Dallas found itself down 10-2 in shots on goal, though the Stars did manage to respond. Tyler Seguin’s goal gave the Stars hope, but Anton Lundell’s deflection during a late power-play made it 3-1, underscoring the Panthers' control.
Stars Respond with Determination in the Second Period
The Stars regrouped during the intermission, returning with renewed energy. Within two minutes, Dallas closed the gap to 3-2 when Jason Robertson set up Esa Lindell for a backdoor tap-in, sparking excitement among Finnish fans for their fellow countryman. However, a turnover during a Dallas power-play led to a short-handed goal by Sam Reinhart, restoring Florida’s two-goal cushion at 4-2.
Both teams exchanged penalties, but neither could capitalize further, and the second period ended with Florida still in control.
Panthers Seal the Victory in the Final Period
Dallas attempted to rally, but another swift play by Florida’s Mackie Samoskevich stretched the Panthers’ lead to 5-2. Finnish defenseman Niko Mikkola assisted on the goal, adding yet another point for Finland’s players in the game.
The game slipped out of reach for the Stars when Reinhart scored again, pushing the lead to 6-2 despite an in-arena clock malfunction that briefly halted play. As the clock dwindled, Dallas fought back with two late goals. Mavrik Bourque scored his first NHL goal in a chaotic scramble, and captain Jamie Benn added another with just 30 seconds left. Although the final score was 6-4, the late surge wasn’t enough to overcome the Panthers.
Standout Performances and Looking Ahead
Barkov was named the game’s first star, finishing with a goal and three assists, delighting his hometown fans. Lindell earned third-starGet Paid to Read Your Fave Books! honors with a goal and assist, while Ilya Lyubushkin had a strong showing, notching a multi-point game after being promoted to the top pairing.
The Stars will have an opportunity to redeem themselves in the second game of this back-to-back series in Tampere. The atmosphere is set for another spirited contest, as Dallas looks to even the series on Finnish soil.
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