Recap: Canes Find A Way Past Maple Leafs
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RALEIGH, NC. – It felt like a long and winding road to get there, but the Carolina Hurricanes found a way past the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, 5-3.
BOX SCORE | HIGHLIGHTS
The Story
The two playoff-destined teams provided an action-packed start to the affair, one that would favor Carolina.
Toronto was guilty of two penalties in the game’s opening 1:29, providing the hosting club with an ample amount of five-on-three time. During that, Brent Burns skated into a wrist shot, beating Matt Murray to the glove side to open the scoring.
Burns’ 54th point of the season was one of what would be 11 shots in the first 4:09 for the Canes, solidifying a significant offensive push.
That push was then supplemented by Jordan Staal’s 17th goal of the season, extending Carolina’s lead to two just 10:52 in.
Video: TOR@CAR: Staal gives Hurricanes a 2-0 lead in the 1st
Then, it became the Pyotr Kochetkov show.
Toronto controlled the next 30 minutes of play, putting the Canes almost entirely on their heels. Rod Brind’Amour’s club would make it out of the first period still ahead 2-0 thanks to their netminder, but that would not be the case after 40 minutes of play.
In the second, Toronto outshot Carolina 18-5, getting goals from Calle Jarnkrok and Auston Matthews to completely erase what had been a quality start for the Canes.
Had it not been for a few stellar stops from Kochetkov, the Maple Leafs could have certainly been ahead by several. However, Carolina managed to make it out of the second in a tied game, knowing they’d need to shift the momentum of the contest in order to earn the win.
They did just that to start the final stanza though, getting a tide-turning penalty kill in the first seven minutes. Less than a minute after they were able to get back to five-on-five play, Stefan Noesen found the go-ahead goal for Carolina.
A very-needed tally, the game put the Canes back in the driver’s seat for the bulk of the third period. Toronto would not roll over though.
Although it came with some controversy, including what appeared to be a premature whistle and a subsequently followed video review, Matthews put home a rebound for his second goal of the night inside the final three minutes.
As an irate PNC Arena crowd expressed their displeasure with the officials, it took just 32 seconds for their boos to turn to cheers. Sebastian Aho was able to locate a rebound of his own, tapping the loose change from a Jaccob Slavin shot home for the eventual game-winner.
Video: TOR@CAR: Aho backhands the go-ahead goal in 3rd
Teuvo Teravainen would add an empty net goal to close out the scoring, giving Carolina a 5-3 victory.
They Said It
Rod Brind’Amour giving his thoughts on the game…
“We were a little off. I tip my hat to that team, they were on it, after the first period. They were good, we weren’t, and that’s what it looks like. So unless you have a goalie making saves, you’re going to be in trouble. That’s basically what happened.”
Sebastian Aho describing the contest from his perspective…
“(Pyotr Kochetkov) kept us in there all night. We had a good first period. Second period, they dominated us. They took over. We weren’t smart enough. Too many turnovers in all areas of the ice. They have some elite players. (Kochetkov) can’t stop all of them. He was really good tonight, he kept us alive. Then we had a good push in the third.”
Stefan Noesen offering his thoughts on the back-and-forth emotions in the contest…
“It’s playoff hockey. Who doesn’t like playoff hockey? I know it’s still the regular season, but each game is meaningful. Each game we’re playing against teams that are gearing up for the playoffs. There’s nothing better.”
Bonus Notes
What’s Next?
The Canes are will get right back to game action Sunday, welcoming the Boston Bruins to town. It is the organization’s annual Whalers Night.
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