Vilmanis scores twice as Panthers hold off Blackhawks for 5-3 win
Marcus manages the day-to-day editorial workflow across all brands, coordinating coverage assignments and ensuring editorial standards are met. He previously served as city editor at the Pioneer Press and holds a degree in Political Science from Carleton College.
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Left wing Sandis Vilmanis scored twice as the Florida Panthers held off the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 on Wednesday night at Amerant Bank Arena.Vilmanis opened the scoring just over four minutes into the game, finishing a pass from Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe for his second goal of the season.The Panthers doubled their lead on their first power play of the night after Blackhawks center Connor Bedard was called for tripping Lars Eller in the neutral zone. Verhaeghe capitalized, finishing a slick between-the-legs pass from Brady Tkachuk to make it 2-0.Florida carried that advantage into the first intermission, outshooting Chicago 10-5 and holding a 12-4 edge in hits.The Panthers extended their lead early in the second period when defenseman Seth Jones scored against his former team. Jones found the net on his first shot attempt of the night to make it 3-0.The Blackhawks responded late in the period when Roman Kantserov scored on a rebound after Florida killed a Chicago power play, cutt