Updated 06.45 | Published 06.38
RALEIGH. Carolina star Seth Jarvis has barely been seen before in the playoffs.
But last night he suddenly smacked in the goal of his life and decided the second, wild Stanley Cup final against Vegas – in sudden death.
– It’s a goal I fantasized about my whole life and to do it in reality feels absolutely fantastic, says the hero after the 4-3 victory.
Yes, the 2026 Stanley Cup final is thus tied – after a whole lot of back and forth.
For a long time, it looked like the Vegas Golden Knights would sneak away to another signature cockroach victory at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh.
Unlikely top scorer Brett Howden scored two typical goals from fairly haphazard chances in the first and second periods respectively, and beyond that the visitors were all about shutting down increasingly frustrated home players, unable to create any chances at all.
But then came the absolutely nippy second half of the final period…
Logan Stankoven reduced the puck after snatching the puck from Rasmus Andersson behind the Vegas box, with the Canes firing on all cylinders and just two minutes later, hidden Mark Jankowski equalized.
Decisive event
Then it looked like Cole Smith had given the Knights a new lead, but the goal was ruled out for goaltender interference – and even a “coach’s challenge” from John Tortorella didn’t help.
– I request that video review ten times out of ten. I think it was a completely correct goal, “Tårtan” growls at his very short press conference afterwards.
But the challenge was rejected and therefore Carolina got a power play – and then Jordan Staal scored 3-2.
However, Vegas wouldn’t be Vegas if they didn’t come back one more time. With less than a minute and a half remaining and goalkeeper Carter Hart picked out, captain Mark Stone tapped in an equaliser.
So sudden death overtime followed – and then Seth Jarvis finally showed why he is actually considered a star.
In a power play barely four minutes into extra time, he dusted in the decisive 4-3 puck from the left penalty circle with a steaming direct shot.
– It’s a goal I’ve fantasized about all my life and to do it in reality feels absolutely fantastic, he exults.
– Of course it was huge. It would not have been fun to go to Las Vegas with a 0-2 deficit.
Tried the fans
The 24-year-old Canadian also takes the opportunity to pay tribute to the unbridled fans in the Lenovo Center; many shirtless during the mindless rush in the third period.
– It helped us find the spark we needed. They’re crazy, it’s not exactly warm in the hall, smiles Jarvis.
The now completely even Stanley Cup final continues next with two games in Las Vegas – the first night until Sunday.
