The Jets won their first match in a tour of the Global Series in Finland by beating Florida 4-2.
The hero of the match was Patrik Laine, who was marked by hat trick in the arena in Helsinki. The return to their homeland had a very favourable effect on the right-winger of the Jets, who was able to interrupt the goalless five-match series.
Two of his goals were during the powerplay and another one he scored in an empty net. After the match, Laine shared with the reporters an incredible feeling of this game and noted that it is very important for him that he scored three goals in his native country.
Laine also said that such a spectacular performance in a match with Florida was the consequence of his very successful game in recent matches because he got ready and was able to show his best game.
The match with the Panthers was interesting by the confrontation of two Finns on opposite sides of the barricades because Laine’s friend and compatriot Aleksander Barkov plays for Florida.
In this match, the superiority of Laine and his team was noticeable in everything because Barkov was able to give only one assist.
The Jets head coach Maurice noted his Finnish striker's game but said that there was still room to grow because Laine could have scored not three but seven goals. Patrik became only the second player in the history of the NHL who managed to score three years in the regular season match outside of North America. He now has 6 goals in 12 matches, and he became the lucky mascot for his team this season because the Jets won all the matches when he scored a goal.
The Jets Captain noted that young Laine is sometimes too critical of himself and his game but it certainly helps him to develop and Wheeler likes to play alongside guys like him.
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