Shayne Gostisbehere scored a power-play goal in overtime to lift the Carolina Hurricanes to their first victory of the season with a 3-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
Gostisbehere’s decisive goal was a one-timer from the top of the left circle at 2:51 of the extra session. The former Flyers defenseman benefited from a terrific screen from Andrei Svechnikov, who knocked down Philadelphia’s Nick Seeler before impeding Joseph Woll’s vision in front of the net.
Pyotr Kochetkov made 16 saves to earn the win for Carolina, which had lost its first two contests of the young campaign. The defending champions’ first two goals Saturday came courtesy of Sebastian Aho, including one 10 seconds into the contest.
Owen Tippett and Matvei Michkov scored for Philadelphia, which was swept by Carolina in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. Woll turned aside 37 shots for the hosts, who remain winless in three games this season.
The game could not have gotten off to a better start for the Hurricanes, who promptly scored off the opening faceoff. William Carrier quickly centered the puck right past Flyers center Christian Dvorak and onto the stick of Aho, who snapped one past Woll.
Philadelphia drew even at 8:03 of the first period as Tippett collected a loose puck in the high slot and buried a shot past Kochetkov.
Michkov’s first of the season gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead at 7:20 of the second period.
However, Aho tied it at 2-2 early in the third period, as he scored a power-play goal from a similar spot to his first tally. This one came off a feed from Nikolaj Ehlers, setting up Aho’s one-timer.
The Flyers went on the power play late in regulation, but they struggled to enter the offensive zone. The man advantage carried over into overtime, when Tyson Foerster and Trevor Zegras had quality scoring chances, although Kochetkov held firm.
Shortly thereafter, Carolina received a power play of its own when Tippett was whistled for slashing. With the Hurricanes skating 4-on-3, Svechnikov’s one-timer was denied by Woll. However, Gostisbehere buried the game-winner less than a minute later.
Philadelphia defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen left with an apparent hand injury. The team said he’ll be further evaluated Sunday.
–Field Level Media
