In a dramatic turn of events, the Carolina Hurricanes achieved a remarkable comeback, stunning the Utah Mammoth with a 5-4 victory on Thursday night in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes became only the third team in NHL history to score three goals in the final two minutes of a game to secure a win in regulation, a feat not accomplished in over three decades.
Carolina’s captain, Jordan Staal, played a pivotal role in this electrifying finish. With just 29.4 seconds remaining, Staal redirected a shot from teammate Jordan Martinook to clinch the comeback. “It’s making memories,” Staal expressed after the game. “I love being part of nights like this. You want more of them. You’re chasing those memories.”
The last two minutes of the game saw a surge from the Hurricanes, beginning with Andrei Svechnikov scoring on a power play with 1:59 left on the clock. The urgency intensified as Shayne Gostisbehere, who had just returned from injury, netted his second goal of the night with 1:29 to go.
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour reflected on the chaotic finish, stating, “I don’t know you draw them up, but at the end of the day we found a way. Kind of a crazy last couple of minutes.” This victory not only highlighted the Hurricanes’ resilience but also extended their points streak to six games.
Historically, the last teams to perform such a comeback were the Dallas Stars against the Boston Bruins on October 14, 1995, and the Montreal Maroons against the New York Rangers on March 15, 1932.
Despite the loss, André Tourigny, coach of the Mammoth, acknowledged the disappointment of watching a lead slip away. “We were exactly where we wanted to be,” he said. “Let it sting for now.” Earlier in the game, the Mammoth capitalized on mistakes made by the Hurricanes, establishing a commanding lead of 4-2 before the late-game surge.
Additionally, the match marked a significant milestone for rookie goalie Brandon Bussi, who achieved the record of being the first goalie in NHL history to secure 20 wins in his first 24 career games. Bussi’s performance has been crucial in the Hurricanes’ successful season thus far.
As the excitement settled in the arena, fans and players alike reflected on the impact of their support. Staal noted the role of the crowd, stating, “I think the fans here are great. They’re always behind us. But when it gets going and gets fired up, you can tell guys feed off of that.”
With this thrilling victory, the Carolina Hurricanes continue to solidify their place as a formidable competitor in the NHL, while the Utah Mammoth must regroup and address the challenges that led to this stunning defeat.
