Earlier than the sport, the Carolina Hurricanes honored Eric Staal, whose quantity 12 was retired and put into the rafters of the Lenovo Middle. The previous captain leads the Hurricanes franchise (since relocation) in a plethora of all-time data. He’s first in targets (322), assists (453), factors (775), hat methods (13), power-play targets (105), and power-play factors (252). He performed 909 video games with the crew as a Stanley Cup winner and was a six-time All-Star. He’ll without end have a long-lasting legacy within the crimson, black, and white and is greater than deserving to have his No. 12 retired to the rafters together with the opposite legends of the franchise. Congrats on the massive second and profession milestone, Eric.
After the ceremony, the Hurricanes took to the ice towards the Anaheim Geese for the primary time in the course of the 2024-25 season. After 60-plus minutes of hockey, the Ducks defeated the Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime. How did the Geese spoil the enjoyable for the Hurricanes on Eric Staal Day?
Sport Recap
Whereas the Hurricanes wished to get out entrance within the first interval, the Geese had completely different concepts as Jansen Harkins bought the guests on the board first. After a clear cross by Nikita Nesterenko discovered Harkins streaking into the slot and bought the puck previous Pyotr Kochetkov. Issues bought chippy all through the opening body with a number of calls being missed in addition to some late hits. There was additionally a scrum in direction of the tip of the interval. Early on, this sport was chippy and followers noticed tempers flare. The Hurricanes regarded extra just like the dominant crew outshooting the Geese 11-7 within the first 20 minutes. Nevertheless, the interval ended with the guests up 1-0.
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The second interval was primarily a back-and-forth of puck possessions with restricted photographs. The Hurricanes outshot the Geese 11-3 within the center body. There have been some penalties, two to the Hurricanes and one to the Geese. Lukas Dostal of the visiting aspect stood tall stopping all 11 photographs within the second interval. After 40 minutes, the Hurricanes had been outshooting the Geese 21-1 however had been down 1-0.
Coming into the third interval, the Hurricanes had been searching for the equalizer whereas the Geese had been hoping to carry them off and spoil the occasion for Eric Staal. The Geese did get out to a two-goal lead as Cutter Gauthier sniped the puck over Kochetkov’s shoulder. Nevertheless, the Hurricanes made a tough push as they doubled up the photographs on objective. At first, Sebastian Aho scored a objective however was referred to as again for goalie interference. As destiny proved in any other case, he made up for it with a stupendous help to Andrei Svechikov for the backdoor tap-in objective. It minimize the lead in half to make it 2-1 Geese.
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Because the clock wound down, it appeared like Dostal was going to steal the sport for the Geese as he held the Hurricanes at bay. With beneath a minute left, Seth Jarvis had different concepts. He bought the puck proper by the Geese objective, rotated and went higher 90 off the nook of the objective to tie the sport 2-2. The Hurricanes battled again to get not less than some extent to ship the sport into extra time.
It didn’t take lengthy in extra time as Gauthier scored his second of the sport 1:52 into the additional body. Whereas the Hurricanes wished for the second level, not less than they got here again and bought one level. Credit score to the Geese for coming in and combating powerful regardless of the Hurricanes onslaught. Photographs on objective ended up Hurricanes 37, Geese 20.
A A lot-Wanted Break
After taking part in seven video games in 11 days, the Hurricanes (26-15-3) have the subsequent two days off earlier than they go on the highway. They tackle the Buffalo Sabres (16-22-5) on Wednesday, Jan. 15 for a 6 p.m. Jap puck drop. Concerning the Geese (18-20-5), they’ll face the Washington Capitals (28-10-5) on Tuesday, Jan. 14 for a 7 p.m. sport time.
