Hurricanes ‘ice’ Leafs 3-2

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

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on Thursday.

It was a surprising, head-scratcher of a goal against Toronto and a fortunate one for Carolina.

Similar to their game two days earlier against Chicago, the Hurricanes trailed the Leafs 2-0 heading into the third period of play, but rallied back to tie the score 2-2 before an unexpected ricochet off the end boards and a wiped out icing call made the difference.

Hainsey had dumped the puck the length of the ice and as it looked like the play would be whistled for icing, the ensuing footrace to the faceoff dot resulted in the lead official wiping the delayed call off, catching Toronto goaltender Jonathan Bernier off-guard as the puck ended up bouncing off his skates and into the net.

As result, Hainsey was credited with scoring the eventual game-winner while goaltender Cam Ward, who made 24 saves in the game, was credited with the lone assist on the play that helped him earn his first win of the season.

“It was a crazy ending,” rookie defenseman Ryan Murphy said.

“Hainsey I bet is pretty happy with that one. He was mad that he was icing it at first, but then he looked in the net and when it was there he was pretty happy.”

Murphy had much to smile about too, as he played his first NHL game in Toronto and scored his first career goal at the ACC at the same time.

Having grown up watching the Leafs and beginning his minor hockey career just north of the city in Aurora, many were on hand to watch him contribute to the team’s victory.

“Yeah, probably a quarter of the stadium today was friends and family,” Murphy joked of the large contingent who attended the game.

“I’m happy that I could get that first one out of the way in Toronto.”

Murphy’s blast from the point on the power play beat Bernier and brought the Hurricanes to within one goal early in the third period, and captain Eric Staal’s third goal of the season with 13:12 to play put the Hurricanes back in contention to win the game.

“We’re a resilient group, we have good leadership and everyone was staying positive on the bench and in the dressing room,” Murphy continued.

“We’re happy with the win and it was a resilient effort and the guys are happy.”

From head coach Kirk Muller’s perspective, the win came about as a result of another late surge in effort and committed work from his players.

Add in a favorable circumstance and bounce, something the team hasn’t had much of since the season started, and Carolina earned its two points in true comeback fashion.

“We were just sayin’ before we went out in the third, ‘you know, we’ll get out of this game what we put into it’, and stay with the game plan,” Muller said.

“That’s the first time we got a break in a long time. Perfect timing and a big goal for us.”