Panthers-Canes: An Exasperated Wayne Gretzky Was Desperate for Playoff Game to End
The Panthers and Hurricanes opened the Eastern Conference finals with a bang on Thursday courtesy of a four-overtime epic that, apparently, left everyone but Wayne Gretzky wanting more.
In a game that lasted roughly six hours, Florida’s eventual 3–2 victory came after the teams extended Game 1 with a scoreless third overtime period. As exhausted and enthused viewers alike prepared for more action, Gretzky let the world know he was ready for the game to end, as the NHL icon and current TNT analyst begged either team to deliver the dagger.
“I’m hoping somebody scores this period. Let’s face it. We’re all getting to the point,” Gretzky said. “We love overtime hockey and it’s the greatest thrill in all of sports. But, O.K., enough’s enough.”
The Great One’s great reaction made for an excellent segue to the contest’s final stanza as Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk scored the deciding goal to end what was the sixth-longest game in NHL history.
With Thursday’s odyssey finally in the books, Florida will carry the momentum and a 1–0 series lead into Saturday’s Game 2, which Gretzky likely hopes will end at a much more decent hour.
