Six Nations' Brandon Montour flew home for son's birth between playoff games
Scoring the opening goal of game three of the Stanley Cup finals wasn’t the only celebration Florida Panthers defenceman Brandon Montour was a part of this week.
The NHL player, originally from Six Nations of the Grand River, also celebrated the birth of his son, Kai, between games one and two of the series final against the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
An Instagram post on Thursday from the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) shows a photo of Montour holding his son.
“I tried to get there as quick as I could, but luckily I was there for it all and got to experience it with her,” Montour described his reunion with wife Ryian in the NHPLA post.
According to an article on NHL.com, Montour hopped on a private jet, leaving Las Vegas at 11 p.m. and landing in Florida around 6:30 a.m.
Once on the ground, he went right to the hospital in Boca Raton, where he met with his wife who was still in labour, according to the article – before hopping onto another plane, and flying to Vegas with only hours to spare before game two.
"Got right there to Boca, went ot the delivery room, and it was kind of game on from there," Montour said during a post game press conference. "I was there at 6:30, and we were joking that as soon as I got there it was straight to work for her, not me.
"I tried to get there as quickly as I could. Luckily I was there for it all and got to experience it with her."
Down by two games in the series, Montour opened up game three with a goal in the first five minutes of the first period.
Carter Verhaeghe scored the overtime winner for Florida to give them the 3-2 victory. They're now down two games to one in the best-of-seven series.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BREAKING 'It was a mistake:' Ford reversing Ontario government's decision to open Greenbelt
Premier Doug Ford said he will be reversing his government’s decision to open the Greenbelt to developers.
How to tell if your symptoms are from COVID, a cold or the flu
Telling the difference between a developing case of the flu, a cold or COVID-19 is even more difficult than before, as more distinctive symptoms such as the loss of taste or smell have become less common over time, experts say.
BREAKING 1 dead, dozens injured in bus crash on I-84 in Orange County, New York
At least one person has died and dozen more were injured when a bus rolled over on Interstate 84 in Orange County, New York, north of New York City, authorities said.
Freeland tables 'affordable housing and groceries' bill, Trudeau calls for all-party backing
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has tabled new legislation to implement the promised removal of GST from new rental developments, and to revamp Canada's competition laws, framing the bill as a package that will result in more affordable housing and groceries, eventually.
Alberta deserves more than half CPP assets if it exits program: report
A report commissioned by the Alberta government says the province would be entitled to more than half the assets of the Canada Pension Plan - $334 billion - if it were to exit the national retirement savings program in 2027.
Sophie Turner sues Joe Jonas for return of their children to England
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas' divorce is getting complicated. The 'Game of Thrones' star filed a petition in New York City on Thursday requesting Jonas return their children to their home in England, according to court documents obtained by CNN.
'Euphoria' star Angus Cloud overdosed on meth, cocaine, fentanyl, coroner says
A Northern California coroner's office says actor Angus Cloud died in July of an overdose of cocaine, fentanyl and other substances.
B.C. First Nation to provide update on probe of 3 residential school sites
A Fraser Valley, B.C., First Nation is expected to provide an update on its work into missing children and unmarked burials at three former residential school sites.
Trudeau seeks India's help on probe of B.C. killing, India says Canada gave no info
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling for India's help to investigate the killing of a Sikh independence activist on Canadian soil, while New Delhi says Canada has provided no information on the case.