Recap: Hurricanes 4, Flames 1

The last time the Carolina Hurricanes faced the Calgary Flames, the Hurricanes were blown out 5-0 in Calgary, Alberta.  This time around the Hurricanes returned the favor with a 4-1 victory Monday, November, 10th at the PNC Arena.

The first period included some nice opportunities and passing for the Hurricanes.

It was a stalemate until Alexander Semin was called for tripping at 11:58 of the period.  Calgary converted on the powerplay opportunity as Curtis Glencross fed an uncovered David Jones in the slot from below the goal line with 6:53 left in the period.

Zach Boychuk was the one to answer Calgary's goal off of a heads-up pass from Justin Faulk several minutes later.  Boychuk saw minimal space on goaltender Jonas Hiller's short side and converted his third goal of the season as the puck careened off of Hiller's mask while fighting off Dennis Wideman in the process.

Physicality was present from both teams as things started to heat up at the end of the period.

Bill Peters wasn't happy with what he saw from his lines at the end of the first.  The initial top line consisted of Alexander Semin, Eric Staal, and Jeff Skinner.  Peters saw the chance to juggle the lines and place Jay McClement with Semin and Skinner and putting Staal on the wing with the line of Boychuk and Victor Rask.

Out of the gate, the second period was faster paced as the Flames were able to muster five shots in the first three minutes putting pressure in the Hurricanes' zone.  Cam Ward was caught on a bad wrap around chance after a rebound  but John-Michael Liles made a diving effort to deny the opportunity on Jiri Hudler.

The Hurricanes finally managed to break out of their zone as a chance from Nathan Gerbe that was stoned cold by Hiller followed.

Carolina's second goal of the came four seconds into their first powerplay opportunity at 4:50 of the period after a faceoff win by Riley Nash and a blast from Justin Faulk from the top of the circle giving them a 2-1 lead.

At 12:15 of the period, Semin skated into the offensive zone, slowed down the pace while avoiding defenseman, and found Jeff Skinner drifting into the slot on a backhand pass as Skinner wristed one past Hiller top shelf, blocker side for his 100th career goal to give the 'Canes a 3-1 lead.  All Skinner needs is a little bit of space in order to make something happen.

After Faulk's goal, the second period was all Carolina outshooting the Flames 14-10.

Skinner racked up two nice chances in the third period producing a rebound for McClement who hit the post and another one after that which left was unattended to and cleared out of Calgary's zone.

Peters called timeout at 14:22 of the third as the Flames made an offensive push to get back in the game. A factor behind Peter's logic could include seven of Calgary's nine wins have come on the road, the most in the league.

Jeff Skinner generated another chance as an intended pass for Semin went off Flames' Troy Brodies skate with Tim Gleason to pick it up to give the 'Canes a 4-1 lead.  After his milestone goal, Skinner made nice plays mixing in nice moves to elevate his game.

The line of Lindholm, Nash, and Gerbe deserved praise as they created countless chances and showed defensive effort, and out-worked the opposing line when they were present on the ice.

Cam Ward made exceptional saves throughout the night while using the paddle of his stick efficiently as well. Ward also made a noticeable effort to maintain the rebounds.  He faced 31 shots and made 30 saves and recorded a win in his past five starts as well as a .956 save percentage.

The decision making of players led to good opportunities and those opportunities led to numbers on the scoreboard.  They came out hungrier and showed that with the end result.  Overall, it was solid effort for the Hurricanes as they record another win to keep their point streak alive winning five of their last six while recording a point in their outing against the Washington Capitals.  Bill Peters said prior to the game, "You want to have an identity you can be proud of."