Washington give Carolina Hurricanes Capital punishment in 3-0 shutout win
In the National Hockey League, there is nothing worse than taking some Capital punishment. The Carolina Hurricanes learned that the hard way as they dropped a 3-0 decision to the visiting
Washington Capitals in their home opener.
How it happened
Although the Capitals are known for the offence that comes from their top two lines, it was a depth player who opened the scoring. Matt Hendricks got his first goal of the season at 10:47
of the opening period after burying a David Steckel pass behind Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward, who'd collided with a Washington playero on the play. John Erskine picked up the second assist on the goal, which was the only one scored in the first period.
After a scoreless second period, Washington made it a 2-0 game after Nicklas Backstrom scored his second goal of the season on a snap shot at 12:23 of the third period. The assists came
from Mike Knuble and Alex Ovechkin. Roughly six minutes later, Backstrom struck again, this time scoring a short-handed empty-netter at 18:32. Knuble earned his second assist of the night, while Jeff Schultz was credited with the other assist.
Back-up goalie Michal Neuvirth was stellar in the Capitals’ net, turning aside all of the 29 shots he faced to earn his first career shutout. Ward made 30 saves on 32 shots for the loss.
What they’re saying
Neuvirth’s first career shutout was one of many highlights of this game, and the young goalie said it was a nice bonus after a strong effort from his team.
“I think we played a great game as a team,” said Neuvirth. “For the first time, I think we did everything right, and it was a big two points on the road. The shutout is just an unexpected
bonus for myself.”
Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau praised his team’s superb play, stating that everyone on the team contributed to the victory.
“I thought that was easily our most complete game by everybody,” Boudreau said. “You get contributions from the fourth line, the penalty killing, the goaltender was great – everybody did
a good job.”
Hurricanes head coach Paul Maurice argued that Hendricks’ first-period goal should not have been allowed, as Steckel ran into Ward before the goal was scored.
“I don't think it’s a goal,” Maurice said. “I didn’t agree with the call at all. I didn’t agree with his (the referee’s) interpretation. It’s incidental contact, but I’m not looking for
a penalty. I don’t think there was an attempt to run Cam. That’s how the rule reads, that’s how I interpreted it, and I think he got it wrong.”
Washington plays their next game on Thursday, 28 October against the Minnesota Wild, while Carolina visits the New York Rangers on Friday, 29 October.
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