Golden Knights – Mark Stone’s breakaway strike and Jack Eichel’s rebound goal were both overturned in Game 3 after coach Rod Brind’Amour’s challenges, leaving the Stanley Cup Final scoreless until Tomas Hertl and Mitch Marner struck in the second period.
The Stanley Cup Final felt like it had two different clocks running in Game 3—until the video reviews hit.
Vegas erupted in the second period, scoring twice within the first four minutes. Mark Stone thought he had already settled the nerves with a breakaway, beating Frederik Andersen five-hole. But the attack didn’t fully count. Brett Howden. who sprang Stone. was judged not to have control of the puck as he entered the Hurricanes’ zone. and the goal was ruled offside.
Not long after, Jack Eichel also believed he’d grabbed the lead. He banged in a rebound, only for Rod Brind’Amour to throw his second challenge of the night. This time the issue was goalie interference.
Ivan Barbashev surged into the crease before Eichel scored and made contact with Andersen’s head. taking the goaltender out of the play. The referees quickly backed Brind’Amour’s challenge, and the second erased Vegas’ second tally as well. With both goals taken off the board, Game 3 stayed scoreless.
Brind’Amour’s two successful challenges made Game 3 the first Stanley Cup Final in history to feature multiple coach’s challenges, per Sportsnet Stats.
Then the game finally loosened. Quick goals from Tomas Hertl and Mitch Marner midway through the second made up for the early overturned strikes, sending the momentum back toward Vegas even after the clean, fast start was pulled away by review.
Golden Knights Vegas Hurricanes Carolina Game 3 Stanley Cup Final Mark Stone Jack Eichel Rod Brind'Amour Frederik Andersen Brett Howden Ivan Barbashev Tomas Hertl Mitch Marner coach challenges