Hurricanes falter in 5-2 loss to Penguins

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

PITTSBURGH, PA. – The Carolina Hurricanes gave up three unanswered goals in the third period and suffered their first loss of the season, a 5-2 decision to the Pittsburgh Penguins at CONSOL Energy Center on Tuesday.

Carolina goaltender Cam Ward faced 37 shots in the losing effort while captain Eric Staal put the first Hurricanes goal on the board in the second period with his first of the season while Nathan Gerbe added his second goal on the year.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the third period, Carolina stayed close and tied it up on Gerbe’s goal at 3:13 into it.

However, it was former Hurricanes forward, Jussi Jokinen, who scored his second goal of the game shortly afterwards at 5:03 that shifted the game’s momentum to give the Pens a 3-2 lead and one which they kept building on until the final horn sounded.

“In the third period, I thought we were in good shape until that third goal,” Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller said.

“They kind of pressed after that and picked up momentum, that third goal was a big one for them.”

Jokinen completed his hat trick against his former team on a power play opportunity that left him streaking untouched towards Ward before unleashing a snap shot that handcuffed the keeper as it sailed over his glove hand to score the final goal of the game.

“I was disappointed for us because we were there right into the third period,” Muller said.

“Then we just weren’t able to sustain stuff after that third goal.”