TAMPA, Fla. - The Carolina Hurricanes shook off the rust and got back into game action on Tuesday, taking a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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With a lineup that featured 12 players who have not yet appeared in a regular season game for the Canes, it was a slow start for the group. Pyotr Kochetkov had to be alert and active early, but as Rod Brind'Amour's group was trying to find their footing, Tampa struck first.
Logan Brown, who did not play last year due to injury, fit a shot through chaos to give his team the early advantage.
As the period progressed Carolina started to get to their game and in the early stages of the second period, they were able to tie the contest via Anttoni Honka.
Picking up the puck in his own end and taking it the whole way himself, the right-handed blueliner danced through Bolts prospect Emil Lilleberg and ripped a shot past Matt Tomkins.
1-1 going to the third, the Canes saved their best hockey of the night for the final five minutes of regulation. Playing to their identity and sewing Tampa in their own end for minutes at a time, Brandon Halverson, who took over for Tomkins in the home net, was under siege.
Then, with under a minute left, an Aleksi Heimosalmi blast from the point was redirected home, giving the Canes the late game-winning goal. Jack Drury made the play happen, buying time for Jackson Blake to facilitate the puck out high. Tyson Jost was in the vicinity atop the crease.
