Carolina Hurricanes win first of new season, slide by Boston Bruins 3-2 -NHL Match Update
Carolina Hurricanes finally won their first match of the new 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season by sliding past Stanley Cup champions, Boston Bruins, 3-2, Wednesday night, October 12, at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, United
States.
After three straight losses against Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils, Hurricanes managed to take out their frustration out on Boston Bruins, who themselves are lacking in the wins department, only having won once in the past
four matchups.
"We're talking about the fourth game of the year, but we did treat it like a must-win game", Hurricanes goalie, Cam Ward, said. "It's important that we get a win and feel good about ourselves and know what it's like to win hockey games".
After a scoreless opening period, Joni Pitkanen scored Carolina’s first to put them on the scoreboard ahead of Boston Bruins on the opposition’s first penalty of the second period as Johnny Boychuk was booked for goalkeeper interference.
Anthony Stewart extended the lead 3:42 into the third while Boston rookie, Tyler Seguin, made his first of the season nearly 30 seconds later to take Bruins out of a near shutout situation.
Stewart’s lead extending goal certainly did not go unnoticed by team head coach, Paul Maurice, who praised his right wingers confidence.
"The big goal for me is Stewart's goal, confidence-wise for that line, and for me wanting to put them on the ice in a tight game", Maurice said. "If we can get comfortable having four lines that can play, we're going to be able to play in these types of
games".
Jiri Tlusty made the game-winner for Carolina as Bruins’ Brad Marchand scored the final goal with less than four minutes remaining, which could have forced an overtime extension.
Carolina Hurricanes will now begin their four-game road trip against Buffalo Sabres on Friday, while Boston Bruins face-off against 2010 Stanley Cup champions, Chicago Blackhawks, on Saturday.
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