Fort Lauderdale – Hard work pays off.
In key game three of the Eastern Conference, AJ Grier, Thomas Nozk and Jonagajovic’s fourth line pushed the Florida Panthers to a 5-4 overtime victory over the Maple Leafs on Friday.
“They work really hard every day,” coach Paul Maurice said of the line after Friday’s victory. “It feels like there’s a need for a little style change, they play a different style of games. They were good. They played very well for us last month and a half.
Playing much of the final regular season was taken from where the chemistry and shock of the line left off.
“The biggest thing for us was not to hesitate,” Greer said following Saturday’s practice at the Baptist Health Iceplex. “We did it well, when we had the opportunity to deepen the pack and attack it.”
Offering some extra UMPH to the bench and sold out crowd, the line was paired for 11 hits.
Defensive Aaron Eckbrad, who was in the shape of a game while skating the line near the end of the regular season, said: “Crash as hard as you can. Get those bumps before you go outside and do it on the ice.”
In addition to enforcing a physical will, the hardworking line controlled the pace of play during deployment.
“The coaches are so great with us, people who aren’t playing,” Gadjovic said. “We push it, shove it into the gym and push it on the ice, and we’ll be ready when we’re called, so that’s what happened today.”
According to NaturalStattrick.com, the fourth line had a 5-5 offensive advantage of 62.50%.
“They’re working hard there. They turned the tide of our team tonight,” forward Carter Werhege said. “They played in the puck, in the (offensive) zone and were forthcoming. They’re all great players. We’re a very deep team and we’re fortunate that they can come in the playoff game and have a huge impact.”
Created seven scoring opportunities, the three veteran forward was rewarded in the third period with a goal that lifted the Panthers 4-3 above the Maple Leafs in the second term.
