Hurricanes shut out Lightning 1-0, extend home win streak to six games

Chris Baird - TSN via Baird Photography
Chris Baird - TSN via Baird Photography
Chris Baird – TSN via Baird Photography

RALEIGH, N.C. – Forward Phil Di Giuseppe scored his first goal of the season, the game winner, at 1:26 into overtime and lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.

Goaltender Cam Ward made 30 saves and recorded his 25th career shutout to backstop the Hurricanes to their sixth consecutive home victory this season at PNC Arena in front of 11,521 in attendance.

It was Ward’s second shutout this season, his first coming in a 1-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks back on Nov. 15.

Currently sitting 10-10-5 overall, Carolina’s success at home has produced its longest such streak at PNC since 2010 (Jan. 24 – Mar. 11, 2010) when the Hurricanes won eight straight, and has helped to offset recent closely-contested road losses.

Recently recalled from Carolina’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, Di Giuseppe came in from the right circle and put a low puck past the stick-side skate of Tampa Bay goalkeeper Ben Bishop (29 saves) and recorded his second career overtime goal.

In addition to Ward’s outstanding play in net, the Hurricanes’ penalty kill, tops in the NHL, was paramount in earning the win, finishing 5-for-5 against the Lightning’s league-leading power play.

With an off-day on Monday, Carolina will prepare to go on the road for a West Coast swing to face the Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks.

The Hurricanes will return home on Dec. 13 and start a four-game stand against the Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, and Detroit Red Wings.