The Florida Panthers beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in overtime on Thursday after holding a tribute to Jose Fernandez before the game.
Aleksander Barkov's goal at the 2:48 mark of OT gave Florida the win in the season opener. Michael Matheson assisted on the game-winning score after a long drought of scoring from both teams.
Prior to the game, the Panthers took time to recognize the former Miami Marlins ace. Fernandez passed away tragically last month and has been the subject of tributes around South Florida. Recently, the Miami Heat wore Fernandez T-shirts in warmups for a preseason game after tributes by the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes.
In this tribute, the Panthers all wore special Fernandez jerseys before the game. Every Panther had Fernandez and the number 16 on their back while skating in preparation to begin the season. Marlins players Dee Gordon and Adam Conley were also in attendance when Florida announced a donation to Fernandez's foundation prior to the game.
After the emotional tribute to Fernandez, the Panthers took the ice in search of a good start to the 2016-17 season. Jonathan Marchessault helped that happen with his first goal in a Florida uniform. Marchessault's goal came at the 9:38 mark of the first period to put Florida up 1-0. Alex Petrovic and Barkov assisted on the first score of the season.
After a late first period goal by New Jersey, the two teams held one another scoreless in the next two periods.
Florida's season will continue on Saturday with a home game against the Detroit Red Wings.
