Aho Emerges As The Hero...
Still 0-0 going to the third, the goaltending duel continued until the late stages of the frame.
In what felt like a battle between two playoff teams, physicality was high, and as the clock dwindled down, it was evident that one goal was going to win the contest.
The Panthers had a golden opportunity during the middle stages of the stanza when Jordan Staal was assessed a four-minute double-minor for high sticking, but again, Kochetkov and the penalty kill stood their ground.
Then, with 3:18 on the clock, it looked like Florida was going to take the two points.
Defenseman Nikko Mikkola sent a saucer pass toward a streaking Eetu Luostarinen on the rush, and it got by Kochetkov.
Providing a deflating feeling, it was short-lived though. Carolina challenged for offside, and won, sending the game forward and still in search of its first legal goal.
As Kochetkov set a new career-high in saves with his very next stop, it felt destined that the game was going to overtime.
Instead, Sebastian Aho shocked the Panthers.
In transition from their own end, Svechnikov's initial shot was blocked, but #20 was able to locate the loose puck.
Turning and firing, it beat Bobrovsky high to the glove side for the game's only goal, erupting the PNC Arena crowd inside the final 20 seconds.
