Mika Zibanejad was served the puck after fine passing play by teammates Will Cuyle and JT Miller in the beginning of the second period, and could without further ado score 2–0 for New York.
For a long time, it looked like the Americans had the match in their grip and in the beginning of the third period, it was 3–1. But then the home team Ottawa gathered strength with two goals at the end of the period – and then another just over 30 seconds into overtime.
It was frustrating because we had a 3–1 lead in the third period and then we gave it up, says a noticeably disappointed Mika Zibanejad to reporters after the match.
We could have done more in the third period. It was a tough match.
The tone is much happier when Ottawa's Swedish goalkeeper Linus Ullmark, who made 20 saves, was interviewed after the match.
Fantastic, it's the top. What's not to love? he asks.
Ottawa knew what needed to be done, states the goalkeeper.
Obviously, the result was not in our favor after two periods, but it never felt like there was any doubt that we would play well, says Ullmark and adds:
It never felt like we panicked and that's important, you can't get nervous and start changing things.
