Anaheim Ducks get back at winning with 3-2 victory in shootout against Carolina Hurricanes-NHL Update
With some back-to-back winning streaks in February, Anaheim has shown some progress in relation to trying to get back into their playoff mindset and overcame a minor loss to Tampa Bay Lightning previously to bounce back against Carolina as Ducks edged Hurricanes,
3-2, in shootout.
Anaheim is still far from the playoff line in the Western Conference but their Thursday night, February 23, 2012, win against Carolina was crucial as they work towards that goal.
The RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, seemed pumped as they just witnessed a complete shutout of the Washington Capitals, 5-0, earlier on Monday, but were disappointed to see their winning team being knocked out in a shootout.
Carolina managed to hold on to their one point lead until midway through the third and final period of regulation but Anaheim luckily came back to force overtime and an inevitable shootout to take the match.
Jerome Samson gave Carolina a lead 13:52 into the opening period for his second of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season but Anaheim answered right back as Luca Sbisa levelled it less than a minute later.
After the tie-breaking power play goal by Jamie McBain early in the second period as Bobby Ryan was on the bench for tripping, it was Corey Perry who took advantage with an extra skater with Carolina giving three straight penalties in round-three.
"One was bound to go in (on the power play)," Perry said. "We were shooting a lot of chances. You keep working on it and it's going to come. I just went up in the air and my first instinct is to hit it. It fluttered over his shoulder and found a way in."
It was supposed to be a big season for Anaheim, but luckily, they still have not given up and are working towards that.
"It was our season," added Perry. "To go 5-1-2, what can you say? We played a lot of good teams -- Detroit, Pittsburgh -- and to come out on top and get 12 points of a possible 16 is pretty huge."
Saku Koivu scored the only shootout goal while all others missed on their chances, giving Anaheim the win.
Ducks have the next at home against Chicago Blackhawks while Hurricanes are to host Florida Panthers on Saturday.
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