NHL Special Report - Carolina Hurricanes defeat the
Nashville Predators 3-1
The 20th game in the NHL offseason on Thursday, 23rd September 2010, witnessed the Carolina Hurricanes up against the Nashville Predators at the Bridgestone Arena. An attendance of 14,627 was present at the arena.
Before the game started, the Nashville Predators Head Coach said, “Though the odds are against us to win, with the support of the fans we will try to put up a good performance and try our best to win.”
It was a slow start to the first period as both teams were reluctant to make efforts on goal. But as the game progressed and after seeing the enthusiastic Head Coach of the Nashville Predators shouting from the sideline, the Predators managed to score. The
play maker behind the goal was JP Dumont, who also finished it. Keeping possession from his half till he made the shot from a distance of 22 feet was an exciting play. The first period ended on the same score of 1-0 in favour of the home team, the Nashville
Predators.
Though the Carolina Hurricanes showed some resistance, it was not that effective as they didn’t score having made 9 attempts on the Predators’ goal. The Nashville Predators on the other hand led after they managed to convert one of their seven shots into
a goal.
At the end of the period Eric Staal, captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, said, “This game is far from over at the moment. Though we had our chances but failed to convert them. All depends on the fact as to how we combine together and most importantly finish
when we get a chance.”
The away team after some discussion managed to devise a plan that seemed to work. As soon as they came onto the rink, they seemed a different team. Brilliant playmaking was followed by pin-point passing and some thunderous slapshots. Such was the show they
put on that even the opposing fans were seen applauding them at times. The Hurricanes were sure to score owing to the show they were displaying and managed to do so in the fifth minute of the second period. This was due to fabulous wrist work by Patrick O’Sullivan
from 22 feet out.
In response, the Nashville Predators came up with a play of their own which saw them come up with some good shots but they couldn’t find their way into the net. The Hurricanes however continued with their majestic play and tried to score another. Their efforts
were rewarded when they scored once again during the sixteenth minute. The goal was scored by Sergei Samsonov from 11 feet. At the end of the second period, the score was 2-1 in favour of the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Carolina Hurricanes came up with 13 shots out of which they netted two goals, compared to 10 unsuccessful shots from the Predators.
Commenting on the second period performance, Paul Maurice, the Head Coach of the Hurricanes stated “All we need to do is be strong in defence and don’t let go of any scoring opportunity.”
This is exactly what the Hurricanes did by forming a nonporous defence. This resulted in the Predators striking 11 shots out of which none was able to make its way into the opposing goal. All this time however, the Hurricanes were waiting to launch the perfect
counter attack. Eventually the Hurricanes found the opportunity and Erik Cole made it 3-1 in favour of the Hurricanes as the game ended.
The match ended with a score line of 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. Hurricanes and even Predators fans were in awe of some of Hurricanes’ play after a poor first period.
After the win Eric Staal, the Carolina Hurricanes captain said “Any win is sweet for a team, but when you come up with a win after being led at the first period makes the win all the more exciting.”
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