The Carolina Hurricanes secured a narrow 1-0 victory against the Calgary Flames on Sunday night at the Lenovo Center, marking their second consecutive win, a feat they haven’t achieved since November 9. With this triumph, the Hurricanes improved their record to 16-7-2, positioning them at the top of the Metropolitan Division, surpassing the New Jersey Devils.
In a game characterized by few shots, the Hurricanes made only 17 attempts on goal. The decisive moment came during overtime when Nikolaj Ehlers scored the game-winning goal. Goaltender Brandon Bussi, making his first back-to-back starts of the season, excelled in his role, securing a shutout by stopping all 15 shots faced—an impressive milestone in his career.
The first period featured a flurry of action, with both teams generating high-quality opportunities despite the score remaining 0-0. Notably, Shayne Gostisbehere showcased his defensive prowess by disrupting a scoring chance for the Flames with a diving stick check. As the period unfolded, Carolina outshot Calgary 6-3, but neither side could break the deadlock.
A tripping penalty against Calgary’s Adam Klapka initiated Carolina’s first power play attempt, which ended without a goal as the Hurricanes failed to register any shots. The Flames nearly capitalized on a breakaway, with Matt Coronato striking the post on a stretch pass.
The second period provided further intensity, characterized by missed opportunities, including a breakaway chance for Seth Jarvis on a penalty kill that was forcibly thwarted by Calgary’s goaltender, Cooley. Both teams remained scoreless through two periods, with both creating numerous scoring chances, including another breakaway for Coronato.
The third period saw physicality escalate, resulting in simultaneous roughing penalties for K’Andre Miller and Flames forward Nazem Kadri, leading to a 4-on-4 situation. Bussi continued to shine in the goal, robbing Coronato again as the Flames pressed for an opening goal. Despite continued attempts, the Hurricanes were unable to score, leading the game into overtime after three scoreless periods.
In the overtime period, the game finally reached its climax. With just over two minutes remaining, Taylor Hall threaded a precise pass to Ehlers, who charged to the net and found the back of the goal, clinching the win for Carolina.
Following this victory, the Hurricanes will enjoy a three-day break before taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs at home on December 4 at 7 PM, looking to extend their winning streak. The hard-fought game illustrates the resilience and skill of the Hurricanes, providing a hopeful outlook as they continue their season.