FLORIDA PANTHERS vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
APRIL 3, 2021
BB&T Center – Sunrise, Fla.
| FLORIDA PANTHERS | COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS |
| 5 | 2 |
[OVERTIME]
- Florida scored three goals in a 4:50 span in the second period and added two more in the third period to improve to 25-9-4 and 4-0-1 vs. CBJ this season.
- The win marked FLA’s season-high fifth consecutive win and fourth consecutive home win. It also marked the second-fewest gamed required to reach the 25-win mark in franchise history (35 GP, 1995-96).
- In a pregame ceremony the Panthers celebrated Sergei Bobrovsky reaching 500 NHL games played. Bobrovsky reached his 500th NHL game on Feb. 10, 2020 at PHI, just prior to the NHL’s pause to the 2019-20 season. The 75th goaltender in NHL history to reach the 500-game mark, upon reaching the milestone Bobrovsky became just the third Russian-born goaltender to play 500 NHL games.
- Bobrovsky won his 15th game of the season, improving to 15-5-2. He stopped 44 of 46 CBJ shots (.957 save percentage), the most saves by a Panthers goaltender in a game this season.
- Alex Wennberg registered his first career hat trick (3-0-3), his third career multi-goal game, and led FLA with 22:28 TOI. He has tallied four goals (4-0-4) over his past two games.
- Jonathan Huberdeau played in his 574th NHL game tonight, passing Robert Svehla for the third-most games played in a Panthers uniform in franchise history.
- MacKenzie Weegar produced two points (1-1-2), his fourth multi-point game of the season. His plus-four rating was the highest by any Panther this season.
- Frank Vatrano recorded two points (1-1-2) and a team-high six shots on goal for the second consecutive game.
- Gustav Forsling notched an assist for the third consecutive game (0-3-3).
- Patric Hornqvist and Aleksander Barkov both posted an assist in their first game back from injuries.
- Carter Verhaeghe produced an assist, extending his point streak to three games (2-3-5).
- Owen Tippett notched an assist. He has amassed four points (1-3-4) over his past five games.
- Matt Kiersted made his NHL debut, registering a team-high four blocked shots.
- Radko Gudas led FLA with seven hits.
- FLA was assessed just one minor penalty (2 PIM), their fewest penalty minutes against this season.
PANTHERS POSTGAME QUOTES – APRIL 3, 2021
Head Coach Joel Quenneville
“I thought he [defenseman Matt Kiersted] looked really comfortable, looked poised. He did a lot of good things. I like the way he sees and processes the game. He’s positionally aware and has a good stick. A really good game for him to start.”
“He [forward Alex Wennberg] had a heck of a game, did a lot of good things besides scoring three…We’re happy with his game. He’s adding some speed to his game as well. The puck was following him around a little bit. A couple great shots.”
“We did face a little adversity (during the 3-game losing streak) even though I still didn’t mind how we were playing in those games. Every single game finding a way to be competitive and getting points.”
Defenseman Matt Kiersted
“They told me before morning skate [I’d be playing]. I got the jitters right away and called my parents when I left. Everybody was excited. It’s been a pretty crazy day, but an exciting day.”
“(My family) came down yesterday, I had a big group. I was fortunate to have a lot of people come down.”
“It means everything for me. They’re going to be watching either way, but its different if they’re here. To have everyone down here, the phone calls I’ve got from everyone over the last couple of days, it’s pretty special.”
Forward Alex Wennberg
“I think we played a really good game. Our line getting Horny [forward Patric Hornqvist] back as well, it felt like we created some really good chances. Putting the puck in the back of the net is a really good thing as well.”
“The whole game was great, and celebrating Bob [goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky] for his 500 games, it’s just a great way to play a game.”
“It’s (been) a great week. Right now it’s kind of working my way a little bit. Just try to ride the wave and keep doing the same thing and hopefully I get some more next game as well.”
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky
“It was a special night, since I stepped into the locker room before the game and seeing all the jerseys with the last names in Russian, and how the boys were trying to figure it out was great.”
“It’s great to be in action. As the season goes on, sometimes there are 20 shots or 40 shots. You’re just there for your teammates, trying to step up and do your best when they need you. I’m always happy to help and it was a pleasure to play.”
“I tried to enjoy every moment, every second of this. I didn’t think about the pressure or the distractions. I just try to go out there and have fun and enjoy the win after with my teammates.”
