Recap: Necas Plays Overtime Hero Again As Canes Come From Behind Late

RALEIGH, NC. -The Carolina Hurricanes trailed the San Jose Sharks 4-2 with 1:52 remaining in regulation Friday. They then came away with a 5-4 victory.

The Story

Opening up a three-game home stretch at PNC Arena, the Canes turned to Antti Raanta in the crease after he closed out Wednesday's win in Dallas. Frederik Andersen, who left the team's most recent victory with an upper-body concern, was healthy enough to back up tonight, but it was Raanta's game from the jump.
However, after landing back in Raleigh at almost 4 a.m. on Thursday, it would be a relatively sluggish start for the home team in tonight's affair. Producing just two shots through the first 10 minutes, San Jose eventually took the game's first lead with just 4:50 to go in the opening frame. While it looked like Carolina would be playing from behind the eight ball to start the second, before the Sharks could take their lead back to the locker room, Calvin de Haan had a response just 2:23 later.

Despite both teams finding the back of the net to begin the affair, the two sides only combined for a total of just 13 shots. In the middle frame, Carolina alone was able to put 16 attempts onto James Reimer, but neither side was able to take the lead.
When the third period began, it took just 17 seconds for Sebastian Aho to put Carolina in front for the first time.

Aho's 19th of the year was the first of what would be two on the night for him, but after his first, the contest turned completely in favor of San Jose.
Nick Bonino had a response for the visitors in the following minutes and then Mikey Essimont put the Sharks ahead with just 8:45 to go. Raanta would then also have to come up big to keep his team with a chance.
San Jose kept the pressure on though and eventually hit the empty net to make it a 4-2 game with just 1:52 remaining. It looked as if Carolina was on the verge of suffering a disappointing defeat to a team currently seventh in the Pacific Division.
Then, more magic happened.
Just 15 seconds after the empty net tally, Teuvo Teravainen sprung Aho in alone, bringing Carolina back within one.
Next, Raanta would head to the bench again and the Canes would go back to work. A flurry of shot attempts ultimately led to an Andrei Svechnikov bid bouncing off the pads of Reimer and right to Martin Necas, who tied the contest with just 11.5 seconds remaining.
Necas' 20th of the season forced a league-leading 17th overtime of the season for Carolina.
And just like 48 hours prior in Texas, Necas then put a bow on the night's contest.

They Said It

Rod Brind'Amourgiving his thoughts on the finish, and the game as a whole...
"We got our entertainment's worth, that's for sure. [Laughs] For the people that left, hopefully they didn't get out of the building. I saw a mass exodus there, then all of a sudden... It was a great finish. Great game, as far as that part goes. The first period was dull. Then the game got going."
Sebastian Ahoin the moments following being named the game's first star...
"We believe in each other. There's no quit in this team either. We work hard until the game's over and obviously that was the case tonight."
Calvin de Haanafter scoring his second goal of the season...
"it was quite the feeling. It's nice to contribute as well tonight... I feel like I was due for one at some point. I'm not relied on to score goals for this team, I just have to play quality minutes. I just do my best to play simple hockey, but at the end of the day it's always nice to contribute and get on the scoresheet."

Bonus Notes

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What's Next?

The Canes are set to practice Saturday at Invisalign Arena and return to game action Sunday against the Boston Bruins at PNC Arena.
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