In a stunning turn of events during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round clash, Sebastian Aho and Jordan Martinook etched their names in Carolina Hurricanes‘ history, striking just nine seconds apart in the waning moments of the third period. Their heroics paved the way for an incredible comeback, as the Hurricanes overturned a three-goal deficit to triumph 5-3 over the New York Islanders at PNC Arena on Monday.
Aho ignited the Hurricanes’ resurgence, knotting the score at 3-3 with just 17:45 on the clock, capitalizing on an extra attacker scenario with Frederik Andersen pulled from the net. Andrei Svechnikov’s well-placed shot found its way to Aho, who deftly redirected it past the Islanders’ goaltender from the right post.
Moments later, Martinook seized the opportunity, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to give Carolina a 4-3 lead at 17:54, catching Semyon Varlamov off guard with a swift shot that ricocheted off the unsuspecting goaltender’s left skate.
The drama didn’t end there, as Jake Guentzel sealed the deal with an empty-net goal just 56 seconds before the final buzzer, securing the Hurricanes’ victory. Seth Jarvis emerged as a pivotal figure, contributing a goal and two assists, while Guentzel and Aho each notched a goal and an assist, solidifying Carolina’s commanding performance. Andersen showcased his mettle with nine crucial saves, bolstering the Hurricanes’ resolve.
On the opposing end, Kyle Palmieri, Bo Horvat, and Anders Lee found the back of the net for the Islanders, with Varlamov putting on a valiant display with 34 saves. Despite their efforts, the Islanders found themselves outmatched by the Hurricanes’ relentless onslaught.
With a commanding 2-0 series lead, Carolina now sets its sights on Game 3 in Elmont, New York, poised to continue their quest for postseason glory. The Islanders, meanwhile, must regroup and rally as they look to turn the tide in their favor.
From Palmieri’s early opener at 16:22 of the first period to Lee’s power-play goal in the second, the Islanders appeared to be in control. However, the Hurricanes refused to relent, mounting a ferocious offensive onslaught that saw them dominate play, outshooting their opponents 29-5 over the final two periods and amassing a staggering 110-28 advantage in shot attempts for the game.
Teuvo Teravainen and Jarvis played pivotal roles in Carolina’s resurgence, with Teravainen cutting the deficit to 3-1 on a power-play goal in the second period and Jarvis pulling the Hurricanes within striking distance with a well-executed wrist shot in the third.
Their contributions epitomized the Hurricanes’ resilience and determination as they clawed their way back into contention, ultimately emerging triumphant in a thrilling contest that will be remembered for years to come.
