Hurricanes Make Own Historic Comeback to Even Stanley Cup Final
The Carolina Hurricanes were minutes from another dreadful loss in Game 2. Instead, they made their own historic comeback to even the series before heading on the road to visit the Vegas Golden Knights in Games 3 and 4.
The Carolina Hurricanes suffered a historic loss in the Stanley Cup Final opener. They were minutes from another dreadful loss in Game 2. Instead, they made their own historic comeback to even the series before heading on the road to visit the Vegas Golden Knights in Games 3 and 4. It prevented the Eastern Conference points leader from having to have some tough conversations about how they managed to stumble so badly.
Hurricanes pull even after historic rally
The Carolina Hurricanes trailed 2-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights with what felt like the series in the balance. Teams that go down 0-2 in the Stanley Cup Final have come back to win just 9% of the time. Teams that are down multiple goals in a Stanley Cup Final outing with less than 10 minutes left in regulation had been winless since 1944, but the Canes pulled it off.
They were overmatched for 45 minutes. The Golden Knights got two goals by Brett Howden, who scored two beauties but had to work hard for them. Otherwise, offensive action was at a premium, and the Hurricanes could muster none of it. Things started to tick up with 15 minutes left in the game before the Canes started a scoring frenzy minutes later.
Logan Stankoven scored the opener all by himself, stealing the puck behind the net and working around to deflect it off a defenseman without an assist. Then, Mark Jankowski sniped it past Carter Hart to tie it minutes later. Then, after a controversial challenge for goalie interference (the Golden Knights would’ve taken back the lead), Jordan Staal scored on the ensuing power play after the challenge failed.
The Golden Knights then got a power play and pulled their goalie to have a six-on-four advantage with time winding down. Just after the Canes got the fifth player back, Mark Stone knocked one in off of Jaccob Slavin to tie it. On another power play in overtime, Seth Jarvis knocked home the winner.
Canes, Knights react to instant classic
Through two games, the Hurricanes and Golden Knights have played to an 8-8 aggregate score and a 1-1 tie. They’ve had plenty of action in the final period and overtime in what has been a truly thrilling series so far. The Knights stole Game 1 with some ridiculously clutch play, and then the Canes returned the favor in Game 2.
After struggling on the power play all postseason, Carolina netted two goals on it in the third and overtime.”That’s a step in the right direction,” winning scorer Seth Jarvis said. “Our power play found our groove tonight. It started with Jordo in the third, and they’re just making the right plays, playing smart and being aggressive and it worked out.”
Despite losing a tough one, the Knights aren’t in the dumps. “I mean, look, we’re in the Stanley Cup Final,” forward Mitch Marner said. “No game’s ever going to be easy, obviously. The series isn’t going to be easy. We knew that coming into it. We’ll go home tonight, relax at the hotel, and then get ready to go home and do our thing.”
As for that controversial challenge, Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said it’s better to be 100% sure before challenging, which is why he didn’t challenge an earlier call in Game 1 to risk a power play. Knights coach John Tortorella remains adamant it should’ve been a goal and said he’d challenge it “10 out of 10 times.”
Zachary Roberts has written in the sports industry for over four years. He's covered the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, Seattle Seahawks, and wider coverage of the NFL, pro golf, NHL, MLB, and NBA. He has worked with ComicBook, Sportskeeda, The Sporting News, and the On SI Network. In his free time, Zachary loves playing video games, watching movies, or reading books.
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