SPORTS-VGK beat Hurricanes 5-4 in 2 OT & Jackie Young hits late 3pt as Aces beat Valkyries
The Vegas Golden Knights secured a thrilling 5-4 double-overtime victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in the Stanley Cup Final. Despite holding a four-goal lead, Vegas nearly surrendered the game during a dramatic third-period rally by Carolina before defenseman Shea Theodore scored the deciding goal at 5:38 of the second overtime.
How the Golden Knights Built and Nearly Lost the Lead
Vegas dominated the second period, fueled by a historic performance from Mitch Marner. Marner recorded a natural hat trick and a four-point period within a 6:10 stretch, a feat not seen in a Cup Final since Frank Foyston in 1919. However, the Hurricanes responded in the third period by swapping Frederik Andersen for backup goalie Brandon Bussi.
Carolina’s offense surged with goals from Jordan Martinook, Taylor Hall, and Jordan Staal in a 39-second span—the fastest trio of goals in Cup Final history. Andrei Svechnikov eventually forced overtime with a power-play goal late in the third. While clubs trailing by four in the third period are now 0-109 in such scenarios, the Hurricanes’ comeback attempt pushed the game into the extended double-overtime period.
The goal that clinched the game for Vegas was an accidental deflection off the skate of Carolina’s backup goalie, Brandon Bussi, who had not played in a game for two months prior to his third-period entry.
Implications for the Stanley Cup Final
With this win, the Golden Knights hold a 2-1 series lead. Historically, teams that secure a 2-1 lead in a Cup Final have gone on to win the championship 80.7% of the time, or 46 out of 57 instances. This game marked the 10th time in history that the first three games of a Cup Final were each decided by a single point.
The resilience shown by both teams suggests that the series momentum is highly volatile. While Vegas holds the statistical advantage, the Hurricanes’ ability to force overtime after being down by four goals indicates that the defensive adjustments made by either coaching staff in the coming days will likely dictate the outcome of Game 4.
Aces Secure Home Victory
In other Las Vegas sports news, the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Golden State Valkyries 84-79 on Saturday. A’ja Wilson led the charge with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Jackie Young added a season-high 27 points. Chelsea Gray made history during the win, moving past coach Becky Hammon to claim the top spot on the franchise’s career assist list with 1,134.
What Happens Next?
The Golden Knights and Hurricanes will take two days off before meeting for Game 4 on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Analysts expect both teams to focus on defensive consistency after the high-scoring, erratic nature of Game 3. For the WNBA, the Aces are scheduled to host Seattle on Monday, while the Valkyries look to bounce back when they host Phoenix on Tuesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of the Stanley Cup series?
The Golden Knights lead the series 2-1 following their 5-4 double-overtime win on Saturday.
How did the Aces perform against the Valkyries?
The Aces won 84-79, marking their first home victory of the season and their third consecutive win overall.
Who leads the Aces in career assists?
Chelsea Gray now holds the franchise record with 1,134 assists, surpassing the previous record held by Becky Hammon.
Will the defensive intensity increase for both hockey teams as the series continues in Las Vegas?