Recap: Canes Take Care Of Kraken In Return Home

RALEIGH, NC. -The Carolina Hurricanes had a happy homecoming in their first game at PNC Arena in 19 days, beating the Seattle Kraken by a score of 3-2.

The Story

Playing on home ice for the first time in 19 days, the Canes came out of the gate with their foot on the gas.
Establishing an early lead in both possession and shots, the game's first goal would not follow far behind. As Seattle was attempting to break the puck out of their own end, defenseman Carson Soucy was unable to handle a pass, leaving a golden opportunity for Andrei Svechnikov. The team's leading scorer would not miss and the tone would be set.

Svechnikov's 16th of the season was then shortly followed by the first of the year for Derek Stepan, who deposited a feed on the rush from Jack Drury.
By the end of the game's opening 20 minutes Carolina had developed a 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard and a controlling 14-4 shots advantage.
As Pyotr Kochetkov got into a groove behind the unit, Stefan Noesen quickly extended the team's lead to a trio just 2:08 into the middle frame. Slashed on a breakaway by Adam Larsson, the high-scoring winger was awarded a penalty shot, one that he had no trouble making good on.

The first blemish of Kochetkov's night would come later in the second frame, his first goal allowed since December 6 in Anaheim. With back-to-back shutouts in New York and Detroit, the netminder passed Jason Muzzatti's 26-year record for the longest consecutive shutout sequence by a rookie goalie. Muzzatti, now the Goaltending Development Coach for the organization, had previously posted a run of 130:12, but Kochetkov replaces him atop the charts with 151:26.
Seattle would then crawl back within one in the third period after Daniel Sprong was able to fit one by Kochetkov, but they would not be able to complete the entire comeback.
The Canes would ride out a 3-2 score to the final horn, picking up at least one point in the standings for a ninth consecutive outing.

They Said It

Rod Brind'Amourfollowing the winning effort...
"We were sharp and all over it. We were great all night. I thought [Seattle] had a couple good shifts in the third after they got their lucky one, but overall, I thought we were all over it."
Stefan Noesenon his penalty shot goal...
"A couple years ago in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton [of the American Hockey League] I did it a couple times and I went 5/5. If he dropped his glove, I was going high. If he didn't I was going five-hole or going to make him make a move. But he dropped his glove and I don't think anyone was going to stop that."
Derek Stepandiscussing his first of the year...
"It's been a rough start. I started really well, I had back-to-back disallowed goals and then the game kind of disappeared for me. It's a confidence thing. It's always nice to score, it definitely builds that momentum."

Bonus Notes

#

What's Next?

The team is scheduled to practice on Friday before hosting a Saturday-Sunday back-to-back against Dallas and Pittsburgh, respectively.
Worth A Click:
North Carolina Night Set For January 10
2022-23 Single Game Tickets

Cam Ward Named To Hurricanes Hall of Fame
Vote Now For The Canes 25th Anniversary All-Time Team
Sign Up To Watch Carolina Hurricanes Hockey Through Bally Sports+
Canes 2022-23 Giveaway Schedule
Canes December Schedule