Early in the third period, Colorado led 2–0, then the match tempo increased significantly. Mikko Rantanen reduced and equalized – and also made an assist when teammate Wyatt Johnston shortly after scored 3–2 with a slapshot.
Rantanen then finished by scoring 4–2 into an empty net, with three seconds left of the match.
We played a bit flat in the two first periods, but it feels like the trust was there with the team all the time, says Rantanen.
The audience really helped us in the end.
Mikko Rantanen played for Colorado for ten years but was traded twice within six weeks earlier this season, first from Colorado to Carolina and then to Dallas. Shaking hands with his former teammates after the win felt in the heart, he says.
It was definitely emotional. They are my brothers, most of them I know really well and many of them I have played with for ten years. This match series we were enemies on the ice, but it doesn't matter when we step off the ice, then I love them, says Mikko Rantanen.
Everything happened so fast. It's just a few months since I played with them and chased a playoff spot with them, and now suddenly I'm playing against them. Emotional is definitely the right word.
Swede Oskar Bäck made an assist.
The win means that Dallas will now move on to the next round in the hunt for the Stanley Cup trophy, where they will face either St Louis or Winnipeg. Which team it will be will be decided during the night to Monday, Swedish time.
