FLORIDA PANTHERS at DETROIT RED WINGS
JAN. 30, 2021
Little Caesars Arena – DETROIT, MI
| FLORIDA PANTHERS | DETROIT RED WINGS |
| 3 | 2 |
(OVERTIME)
- Aleksi Heponiemi scored the overtime game-winning goal in his NHL debut. This marks the first time that a Panthers rookie has tallied an overtime winner in their NHL debut, and it is the fourth time a player has accomplished the feat in league history after Kirill Kaprizov (Jan. 14, 2021), Tim Sweeney (Oct. 4, 1990) and Nick Knott (Nov. 2, 1941).
- Heponiemi is the fifth rookie in club history to score an overtime goal. He also joins Marcus Nilson as the second player in Panthers history to tally their first NHL goal in the extra frame (Per NHL Stats).
- The Panthers have earned at least one point in each of their first five games (4-0-1), now the second-longest point streak to start a season in franchise history. Each of FLA’s last four games have ended in overtime or shootout.
- Aleksander Barkov notched two points (1-1-2). The goal was his 157th tally of his career, moving into a tie with Scott Mellanby for second-most in Panthers history.
- Anthony Duclair earned an assist on Heponiemi’s overtime winner. Duclair has notched at least one assist in each of the Panthers past four games (0-6-6).
- Keith Yandle scored his second goal of the season on the power play, his 99th power play point as a Panther.
- Aaron Ekblad posted an assist. He has recorded four points (1-3-4) through FLA’s first five games.
- Patric Hornqvist notched an assist, his sixth point of the season (4-2-6). He is tied with Carter Verhaeghe for most points on the Panthers.
- Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 25 of DET’s 27 shots (.926 save percentage). Bobrovsky improved his career record against DET to 16-5-1.
- Noel Acciari led FLA with four hits and a 71% faceoff win percentage.
- Juho Lammikko made his season debut. The Noormarkku, Finland native played 40 games for FLA in 2018-19, producing six assists (0-6-6).
- The Pantherswent 2-3 on the power play and 4-4 on the penalty kill.
NHL.com Final Score: FLA 3, DET 2 [OT]
PANTHERS POSTGAME QUOTES – JAN. 30, 2021
Head Coach Joel Quenneville
“I thought he [forward Aleksi Heponiemi] really got better as the game went along. He had a couple shifts, he was out there the last minute of the game. I think defensively and his responsibility, I thought he had an outstanding camp. Appreciated the way he competed every day with the taxi group.”
“Whether playing in a defensive role or an offensive role, I think he [forward Aleksi Heponiemi] has got great instincts, he’s a threat, he plays the right way, and you’re comfortable with him without the puck.”
Forward Aleksi Heponiemi
“I don’t know what to say. It’s just an amazing feeling, just getting those first couple nervous shifts out of the way. I was just enjoying the ice time. Q [Head Coach Joel Quenneville] putting me out there for an important moment means a lot. It’s just an amazing feeling.”
“I just remember Duke [forward Anthony Duclair] winning a battle, taking it to the net, made a great pass for me and it was just a backdoor tap-in for me.”
“After last season I was just getting ready to concentrate on this one, I came to the camp with the mentality to battle for a spot and just work hard. I think I did that, but there’s still a lot to do. Great opportunity.”
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky
“It’s definitely a big win for us, two points. It’s important at this time of the year, it’s important to get it down to one point before overtime and then to get another point, it makes a huge difference in the locker room.”
“I think they [the Panthers defense] clean up lots of backdoor plays, they clean up plays in front of the net. The guys allow me to see the puck and be comfortable there in net.”
Defenseman Keith Yandle
“It’s a great call by Q [Head Coach Joel Quenneville] getting him [forward Aleksi Heponiemi] out there. To score your first goal in your first game in overtime…You always remember your first one but he’ll be telling his great grandkids about that one, as he should.”
“It’s huge, obviously getting points, especially in a shortened season is big. Finding ways to win games, whether its overtime or shootouts, they’re going to be much needed especially late in the season. Collect as many points as we can now and we’ve got to keep riding this.”
“It’s showing good poise from our group. Especially early in the season when you’ve got a lot of new players, finding ways to win these games like we have and being comfortable playing from behind, it’s been great for us.”
