The Carolina Hurricanes (8-6-1, 17 pts.) dropped a 4-3 decision to the Winnipeg Jets (7-8-1, 15 pts.) in their third “Canes College Night” of the season Thursday evening in a game that was decided by a scoring frenzy in the third period.
The Canes began the first period with three shots on target, but the Jets produced a quick counter attack, which led to an opening goal. The goal was scored by Blake Wheeler, who pushed his shot past goalkeeper Cam Ward.
In the following minutes, Winnipeg was awarded a power play but the Canes effectively defended their goal and killed the power play.
After the Jets’ power play ended, Carolina went back on the attack and forced the Jets’ defense to come with several big saves.
The Hurricanes finally broke the Winnipeg defense with 1:21 remaining in the period. Eric Staal passed the puck to Alexander Semin who drew the defense and goalkeeper to his side before slinging the puck behind his back to an open Jiri Tlusty who finished the shot with ease. The goal was his sixth of the season.
The second period saw the Hurricanes outshot the Jets for the second straight period, this time by an 8-6 count. The period was littered with penalties on both sides as both teams went scoreless.
At the 16:17 mark in the second period, Winnipeg right-winger Blake Wheeler was sent to the penalty box for unsportsmanlike conduct, a two-minute penalty.
Shortly thereafter, Jets defenseman Grant Clitsome was whistled for interference, another two-minute penalty, giving Carolina a two-man advantage for 55 seconds. Winnipeg managed to escape with the double penalty kill.
The Hurricanes had problems of their own later in the period. With 3:34 to play in the second, Carolina defenseman Jay Harrison was called for interference and sent to the penalty box for two minutes.
Just 49 seconds later, defenseman Joe Corvo joined his teammate in the box after being whistled for tripping, giving the Jets a two-man advantage of their own for 1:11. The Canes stepped up in a tight spot to kill both penalties, leading into the second intermission still tied at one.
The Jets started off the scoring in the final period when Evander Kane was assisted by Nik Antropov for the quick goal. However the Canes responded quickly with a goal of their own. Jordan Staal scored his third goal of the season and Jay Harrison and Patrick Dwyer recorded assists for the goal.
After two early goals, the action slowed until the final six minutes of the period. Winnipeg reopened the scoring after Ward mishandled a shot, which fell to Andrew Ladd. Ladd finished the shot with little trouble.
The Canes immediately answered. Tlusty was in the right place again as he finished an unassisted goal to draw level.
However, the Jets scored 16 seconds later after the Hurricanes’ defense failed to handle a long pass. Ladd’s pass fell directly to Wheeler who scored his second goal of the night in a one on one situation with Ward.
The remaining minutes resulted in no further goals as the Canes fell 4-3 to the Jets.
The first matchup of the season between the Jets and Hurricanes featured a new face for Carolina, defenseman Ryan Murphy, who was recalled from the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) on an emergency basis.
Murphy was given his first start of the season by head coach Kirk Muller and saw almost 24 minutes of action in his NHL debut.
The Hurricanes will return to the ice Saturday at 7 p.m. as they take on the division rivals Tampa Bay Lightning at PNC Arena.
