Canes Prospects Battle Back On Second Day of Showcase

Group improves to 2-0 with afternoon victory

By Walt Ruff

@WaltRuff Hurricanes.com

September 16, 2023

ESTERO, FL. - Despite trailing 2-0 after 40 minutes of play, the Carolina Hurricanes came from behind to earn a 4-3 shootout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

Slow out of the gate, the Canes conceded a goal in each of the first two periods. Although the two got by starting netminder Yaniv Perets, the NCAA champion provided a few timely saves to keep the deficit from getting worse.

The Lightning's young guns add a power play goal in the second, doubling their lead to 2-0.

Despite having yet to get any help from the offense, Yaniv Perets has been solid in net for Carolina. A composed, late-period save here. pic.twitter.com/WcnMlgySkY
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) September 16, 2023

However, when the third period came, the prospects flipped a switch.

Striking twice in just over three minutes to tie the game, the flurry of goals began when Griffin Mendel jumped up in the play shorthanded. Receiving a gorgeous saucer feed from Justin Robidas, the 6-foot-6 defender stuffed home his own rebound to get Carolina on the board.

Then, under two minutes later, pressure in the attacking end led to an equalizer from Ryan Suzuki.

Make it 2-2! That's two goals in 3:33 to start the third for the #Canes.

More quality forechecking leads to Ryan Suzuki tucking home a beautiful finishing move. pic.twitter.com/aMN46LxYF1
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) September 16, 2023

Coming alive quickly and appearing to stun Tampa Bay after they'd controlled the start of the contest, Robidas then chimed in on the goal-scoring himself to push Carolina in front.

A power play tally, Suzuki earned a second point with a helper, and Vasily Ponomarev registered his third point in two games by creating the rebound for Robidas.

Tampa Bay would respond with a goal of their own on the man advantage inside the final five minutes, forcing overtime, and the already mandatory shootout to become a deciding one.

Suzuki and Noel Gunler found twice for the Canes through the first five rounds, and in sudden death, Blake Murray prevailed as the hero.

Noel Gunler with some slick stuff of his own in the shootout. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/H43ykVFPuY
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) September 16, 2023

They Said It

Assistant Coach Tim Gleason sharing his thoughts on the performance...

"Off the hop, we didn't come out how we wanted to, but we built a game. We've got some things to improve on in the defensive zone, but it's new to a lot of guys. You can see some things are getting better each time out, and ultimately that's what you want."

Forward Justin Robidas on the effort...

"We were flat to start. It was two games in under 24 hours for a lot of our guys, but we got our legs going. In the second we started to play the Hurricane way and that's what we wanted."

Goaltender Yaniv Perets on his outing in net, earning the victory after stopping 29 out of 32 over the course of 65 minutes...

"I thought it went well. I think I have some things to clean up but I'm just going to take the positives and keep moving forward. It was my first full-length game in a while, and I'm glad I was able to play the whole thing, it was fun. I'm happy we came out with the win and that's all that matters."

NC Governor Roy Cooper, Lenovo Senior Vice President and President, North America Ryan McCurdy and more to speak