Florida Panthers Trio Hijacks the Olympics and Makes History

It wasn't just a goal for Finland. It was a complete takeover by the reigning Stanley Cup champs. For the first time in franchise history, three Panthers players factored in on the same goal at the absolute highest level of the sport.

We are talking about a pure "Sunrise Special" wearing Suomi blue. Center Anton Lundell buried the biscuit at the 15:26 mark of the opening period. But look at the helpers.

Eetu Luostarinen and Niko Mikkola did the dirty work to set it up. That trio has chemistry you just can't teach in a two-week training camp. They know where each other will be before the puck even drops.

The goal was a dagger, too. It put Finland up 2-0 and stood up as the eventual game-winner in a massive 4-1 drubbing of bitter rival Sweden.

This wasn't a garbage-time stat pad. Finland was desperate. They opened the tournament by getting stomped 4-1 by Slovakia on Wednesday. Another loss here would have been a disaster.

Sweden was riding high after beating Italy 5-2, but they ran into a wall at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. The Panthers' Finnish connection just wanted it more.

Now the group is wide open. Both teams are sitting at 1-1 with one game left on the docket.

Sweden has to wake up early for a 6:10 a.m. clash with Slovakia on Saturday. Finland gets a slightly easier path against Italy a few hours later. If Lundell and his linemates keep playing like this, Paul Maurice might want to book a flight to Italy just to watch the show.