{
  "id": 18239219,
  "title": "Sandis Vilmanis has 1st 2-goal game, Panthers top Blackhawks 5-3 to cap homestand",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/sandis-vilmanis-has-1st-2-goal-game-panthers-top-blackhawks-5-3-to-18239219",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T03:35:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/2026/11/04/sandis-vilmanis-has-1st-2-goal-game-panthers-top-blackhawks-5-3-to-cap-homestand"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sandis Vilmanis achieved his first two-goal game in his career, as Sam Reinhart contributed a goal and two assists. The Florida Panthers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 on Wednesday night, concluding a three-game homestand. Seth Jones scored against his former team, while Carter Verhaeghe added a goal and an assist for the Panthers. Vilmanis provided two assists, finishing with four points for the Panthers. Florida improved to 9-0-1 this season when allowing three goals or fewer. Sam Reinhart's goal was an empty-netter to close out the win with 1:27 remaining. Frank Nazar scored twice in the third period, and Roman Kantserov also scored for Chicago. Ethan Del Mastro recorded two assists, marking his first points and multi-point game of the season. Connor Bedard had two assists as well. The Blackhawks are currently 1-6-1 in their last eight games. They conceded the final five goals in a 5-2 home loss to Colorado on Monday, and were down 3-0 before Kantserov scored for Chicago. By that point, the Panthers had established full control. Vilmanis opened the scoring just 4:43 into the game, and Verhaeghe's power-play goal, assisted by Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk, came at 12:29 of the first. Jones established a 3-0 lead for the Blackhawks in the second period with a goal. Frank Nazar equalized with a short-handed breakaway, cutting Florida's advantage to two goals with 8:59 left in the third. Vilmanis scored again with 8:59 remaining, reestablishing the two-goal lead. Nazar added his second goal of the game with 3:51 left, but Sam Reinhart scored his ninth of the season to effectively end the Blackhawks' comeback attempt. The Panthers will now face the Washington Capitals on Saturday.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Sandis Vilmanis scores first two-goal game of career",
    "Panthers defeat Blackhawks 5-3, end three-game homestand",
    "Sam Reinhart scores empty-netter with 1:27 left"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Florida’s defensive dominance continues to separate them from struggling opponents as they maintain an undefeated record when conceding three goals or fewer this season.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Sandis Vilmanis has 1st 2-goal game, Panthers top Blackhawks 5-3 to cap homestand",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/sandis-vilmanis-has-1st-2-goal-game-panthers-top-blackhawks-5-3-to",
        "published": "2026-11-05T03:34:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}