Balinskis and Vilmanis see ice time as Panthers fall to Sharks in overtime
Florida Panthers lost 3-4 in overtime on the road to the San Jose Sharks, with both Latvian players Uvis Balinskis and Sandis Vilmanis logging significant ice time.
The Florida Panthers suffered an overtime defeat on the road against the San Jose Sharks, after the game was tied late in regulation. Both Latvian players on the roster received notable playing time.
Sandis Vilmanis spent 12 minutes and 19 seconds on the ice across 17 shifts. He recorded three shots on goal, four hits, and finished with an even plus/minus rating. The Latvian had several good scoring chances during the game, though none were converted. Vilmanis was on the ice when the opponents scored the game's opening goal.
Uvis Balinskis got the chance to play his first game of the season for the team in this match. He logged 12 minutes and 52 seconds of ice time, seven of which came while serving a penalty. Balinskis registered one shot on goal, one blocked shot, and three hits, ending the game with an even plus/minus rating. In the second period, he was involved in an altercation with an opposing player, for which he received penalty minutes for both roughing and fighting.
The Sharks took an early lead in the first period and extended it to 3-0 by the second period. During that period, team captain Aleksander Barkov left the ice after an awkward fall and headed to the locker room. The Panthers cut the deficit before the end of the second period, then mounted a real comeback in the third, scoring twice within 17 seconds to tie the game at 3-3. The score remained level through regulation, and the Sharks scored the winning goal in overtime.
