Overview
- Florida won 3-2 in a shootout at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, taking Game 1 of the event.
- Sandis Vilmanis opened the scoring for the Panthers, Bradly Nadeau equalized early in the second, Jack Devine put Florida ahead late, and Justin Robidas tied it for Carolina.
- Hunter St. Martin, Ryan McAllister and Eamon Powell converted in the shootout for Florida, with Eamon Powell’s sixth-round attempt proving decisive.
- Goaltender Cooper Black went the distance for Florida and was cited as their standout, while Carolina’s Ruslan Khazheyev showed improved movement and rebound control and Nikita Quapp stopped three of six in the shootout.
- Next up, Florida faces host Tampa Bay later today, and Carolina meets Nashville at 2 p.m. ET as the Showcase continues.