Hurricanes blanked 5-0 by Flames

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

CALGARY, ALBERTA – The Carolina Hurricanes were shut out 5-0 by the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday.

The injury-riddled squad couldn’t muster much offense, being outshot by the Flames 24-16 with goaltender Cam Ward in the net.

Even with forward Jeff Skinner back in the lineup for his second game of the season, any offensive threat that he posed with his team-high four shots on goal, was easily turned away by Calgary netminder Jonas Hiller who earned the shutout.

Dennis Wideman opened the game’s scoring late in the first period, left alone at the point to tee a shot up that beat Ward and gave the Flames a 1-0 lead at 18:18.

Calgary (5-3-1) didn’t waste much time after the opening faceoff in the second period to extend its lead to 2-0 as an odd-man rush found Matt Stajan wide open to at the edge of Ward’s crease to one-time a Paul Byron pass into the net.

Another goal just under three minutes later from Sean Monahan, his first of the season, then padded the Flames lead further, leading 3-0 by the end of the period.

Calgary posted two more goals from Monahan and Lance Bouma to round out the game’s scoring at 5-0 by the 5:15 mark of the third period.

Carolina (0-4-2) couldn’t beat Hiller for the remainder of the game, including during its final power play opportunity of the game, finishing 0-for-2 with the man-advantage on the night.

Still seeking their first win during this NHL season, and suffering their third straight loss against Calgary dating back to last season, the Hurricanes continued on to Edmonton to prepare to face the Oilers on Friday.