The crowd erupted at the Lenovo Center as the Philadelphia Flyers overtime game-winning goal had been ruled off due to goal interference. Just 37 seconds later, Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis scored a game-winning goal as the period was coming to a close, winning the game 4-3.
The Hurricanes (2-0-0) entered the game aiming to cap a perfect opening week at home and secure their second divisional win before heading out on a lengthy road trip. On the other side, the Flyers (0-0-2) searched for their first victory of the young NHL season.
Carolina came out firing in the opening period, peppering Philadelphia’s defense with 16 shots on goal and setting an early tone. It would seem that they had control for most of the period until the end, when the Flyers scored to take a 1-0 lead.
The Hurricanes took control again in the second period, but this time shots went in, with three different players scoring throughout. Namely, center Logan Stankoven, left wing Taylor Hall and center Jordan Staal. This gave the Canes a 3-2 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play.
”I always feel really good about our training camps,” said Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour. “The way the guys come in shape and understanding how we need to play and so maybe that carries over to the start when other teams are ramping up.”
A goal from defenseman Travis Sanheim for Philadelphia tied the game with four minutes left, sending it to overtime where the Flyers scored with 54 seconds left, but after a review, it was ruled as goaltender interference and play continued.
“It was just kind of a weird play because we were all kinda backing up to almost go a 1-on-2 and when he went to go shoot it it kinda went back towards and he kinda came across the net and basically got a wide open net,” Stankoven said. “I didn’t initially see the goaltender interference, but we dodged a bullet there.”
Later, Jarvis then became the Carolina Reaper for Philadelphia, scoring the game winning goal and giving the Canes two points.
This game was huge for Carolina as it now leads the Metropolitan division with four points. The Rangers and Penguins also have four points, but they have played one more game than the Hurricanes. With their win against New Jersey on Thursday night, they now have two wins against division opponents, boosting momentum going forward.
“You start thinking of the last ten games, those division points are huge, but they’re just as big now,” said center Jordan Staal. “It’s super important to get as many points as we can, obviously they all count the same, but against divisions, we know how much bigger so four point games are nice.”
Next up, the Canes will start a long road slate due to the NC State Fair happening in Raleigh. With this in mind, it also makes a huge difference that Carolina started the season the way it did.
“We need it,” Brind’Amour said. “It gets us off to that start. We all got a tough road trip coming up so it’s nice to have those in the bank and get recharged on that road trip.”
The first game of the Canes long road slate will be against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night. Puck drop is slated for 10 p.m.
