Red Bulls and Pizza – Panthers’ unique diet helps OT win against Hurricanes in playoff finals Game 1
The Panthers defeated the Hurricanes with a 3-2 record in the playoff finals thanks to their unique choice of food - Red Bulls and Pizza.
Follow Us
Panthers win against Hurricanes [Image Credit: Axios]
Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers bagged a crucial win to their pockets on 19 May, at 2 a.m. on the East Coast. The Cats destroyed the Carolina Hurricanes’ advances with a 3-2 record in playoff finals Game 1. It was the first time, the Hurricanes lost a series opener this 2023.
Not only did the Panthers hold onto the Canes, but they pulled the game till 4 OT rounds, becoming the 6th longest NHL game in history. The game may have been stretched till 5th overtime, but thanks to Tkachuk, whose 2nd OT goal in the 2023 playoff found the back of the net.
Tkachuk stated in a post-game interview that the team’s win must’ve been due to their college diet prior to the last period. Apparently, the team was wolfed up Red Bulls and pizza to fill their belly, “These guys cracking Red Bulls before the fourth overtime, there’s pizza flowing. It was actually pretty funny seeing it”.
Matthew Tkachuk scores the OT winner in quadruple overtime
![Matthew Tkachuk [Image Credit: Canucks Daily]](https://firstsportz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Untitled-design-11-30-1024x768.png)
Who knows? Sometimes silly things bring about great results, just like the Panthers snatched the Game 1 final crown from the Hurricanes. The game would’ve ended earlier if the Panthers’ goal was not called out for goalie interference.
Even with a goal gone to waste, the Cats survived three overtime, finally netting the puck on the fourth try. According to records, the last longest NHL game was conducted between Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets back in 2020. It was a five-OT marathon.
The game was tiring enough and the Cats didn’t have any energy left from the pizza or Red Bulls to hype up their on-ice celebrations. Their forward Matthew Tkachuk apparently pointed towards the locker room alley, asking to rather take the celebrations in the locker room.
Understandably enough, the players were all tired. Their next faceoff will be on Saturday in Carolina. Tkachuk was set up by Sam Bennett when the forward dropped the last bomb with 12.7 seconds left in 4th-OT. He stated after the victory that this game was “probably my favorite one” in his life.
Things could’ve proved to be a bit tricky if the game led to 5-OTs. Needless to say, the player’s stamina and focus would’ve had to have the toughest test then. So far, the team has upset two top NHL teams – Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
In case you missed:
Stay Updated!
Kaushani Chatterjee
(2140 Articles Published)