Recap: Kochetkov Records First NHL Shutout In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL. -Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov earned his first career NHL shutout Monday, backstopping the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Story

The Canes were in complete control of the contest from the opening puck drop through the final horn, starting largely thanks to their netminder. Carolina found themselves shorthanded inside of the first five minutes, but Kochetkov came up with a pair of timely stops to deny Chicago any early momentum.
It was the beginning of what would become a 60-minute groove for the rookie netminder, who showcased strong fundamental work as well as flash and flare to make stops.
After Rod Brind'Amour's squad killed off the two first period penalties, his team then got the scoring started just before the midway mark of the frame. A Brent Burns shot from the point was redirected in the slot by Jordan Martinook, beating Petr Mrazek to give the Hurricanes the first goal of the night.
The marker was the first of two for the line of Martinook, Jordan Staal and Jesper Fast in the first period alone.
Just minutes after #48 recorded his third of the season, the Captain sniped one over the shoulder of his former teammate to give Carolina some insurance.

The third goal in as many contests for Staal would have been more than enough offense needed on the night, but in the second period Fast made a tremendous play to set up Andrei Svechnikov. Blackhawks defender Caleb Jones was behind his own net and plotting a breakout pass, but his eventual attempt was knocked down by Carolina's #71, leaving a puck right in the lap of an unmarked Svechnikov.
Carolina's dynamic winger didn't miss from the slot and earned his 12th of the year thanks to Fast.

From there on it was the Kochetkov show, turning away all remaining attempts from the home side to earn the milestone victory. He became the first goalie in Canes franchise history to post a shutout in his first five games and just the 12th goalie in NHL history to start 5-0-0.

They Said It

Rod Brind'Amourproviding his assessment on the victory...
"We needed a win. I thought we had a good start, I thought we were going pretty well and then we took a few penalties. That got us on our heels, but Pyotr made a lot of great saves tonight. He really kept us, I don't want to say in the game, but we didn't have to panic. He kept them off the scoresheet. Really huge performance by him."
Jordan Staalimmediately post-game on the importance of tonight's victory following Saturday's defeat in Denver...
"We needed to get our game back on track. Everyone did a good job contributing tonight. Koochie was definitely our star for sure, but it was a good team game. I thought we controlled most of it and found a way to get two points."
Andrei Svechnikovoffering thoughts on his fellow countryman's first career shutout...
"He's just so focused on game days. He's dialed in on every moment and trying to enjoy it. He's got sound skill and he's going to be good here for a long time, for sure."

Bonus Notes

What's Next?

The team is scheduled to travel back to Raleigh post-game. Tuesday is set to be a practice day at Invisalign Arena.
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