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The Stanley Cup Finals shifted to Las Vegas for Game 3 as the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes tied 1-1 after splitting the opening two games in Raleigh.
And, as you'd expect from the Golden Knights, this one started with theatrics, and a little help from the city's latest hope at quarterback, who joined in the festivities.
That's right. Who better to do the siren job than Raiders draft pick and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza?
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There was a big surprise during the game: Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb — who took a slap to the face Thursday in Game 2 — was on the Vegas roster, albeit with a full cage.
It goes without saying, but hockey players are built differently.
The first period was physical but ultimately scoreless, with Carolina getting more offensive opportunities, leading Vegas in shots 7-2.
Vegas captain Mark Stone scored 36 seconds into the second period; however, it was ruled offside after a Carolina challenge.
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Minutes later, Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel found a goal, but Carolina challenged the goal after Vegas' Ivan Barbashev made contact with Canes Frederik Andersen's head.
It was another cut and dried update that kept the Golden Knights off the board.
The first penalty of the night was self-inflicted, when the Hurricanes were called for too many men, and it didn't take long for Tomas Hertl to pay.
Just seconds later – 16 seconds – Mitch Marner was credited with a goal after Carolina defenseman Sean Walker put his goal behind his own net.
But, hey, those goals aren't cool; Marner wanted to do one the old fashioned way, which he did.
What's that, want more?
However, Mitch Marner – who has the playoffs of his life – had more.
That's right, Marner scored a hat trick in six minutes and 10 seconds. That's an NHL record.
Or, I bet the first Rocket goal of his quick hat trick wasn't his goal, but hey, they count the same.
Vegas star Mitch Marner took over the second half of Game 3 with a natural hat trick in six minutes and ten seconds. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
Stop working. Maybe he was doing it so that the next time the team wrapped a towel around him he would be like him.
After the second intermission, Andersen was pulled in favor of Brand Bussi, who was making his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut.
Carolina was in a state of confusion in the third, and after a power play, Sebastian Aho beat Marner, who headed to the net on a breakaway.
Marner was awarded a penalty, but Bussi didn't give him much to shoot for, and Marner missed his backhand attempt.
Although it looked bleak after a strong second in Vegas, in the third, Carolina dropped the fastest three goals in Stanley Cup Finals history to make it a game. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
Carolina's Jordan Martinook got the Hurricanes on the board in the bottom of the third period to make it 4-1.
Moments later, Taylor Hall grabbed another to cut the Vegas lead to 4-2.
And, while they're scoring, how about throwing Jordan Staal's stats in there?
Carolina scored three goals in 39 seconds, the fastest three goals by one team in Stanley Cup Finals history, making it look like an undisputed victory for Vegas in the game again.
Carolina killed a delay of game penalty, which was important to stay in the game.
Then, Vegas' Shea Theodore sent the puck into the stands late in the game, giving Carolina a late power play.
Then – as if it couldn't get any worse – Andrei Svechnikov tied the game on the power play and the goalie pulled.
And with that, it's overtime for the second game in a row.
In the extra frame, both teams got their share of chances and chances to put the pin in the house and hit the craps tables, but the first overtime did not produce a winner.
In the second overtime, we finally got a winner, and even though the game was out of control, it should have been an unbelievable winner.
It was Shea Theodore, by the way, who crossed the puck in the stoppage to set up the tying goal, and he did it after 39 minutes of ice time.
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Vegas players Brett Howden (21), Shea Theodore (center), and Mitch Marner (93) celebrate the game-winning goal in double overtime. (Photos by Lucas Peltier-Imagn)
What. A. The game.
I think that after this one, Game 4 – which will be held on Tuesday in Las Vegas – will be officially watched.
