Hurricanes 3, Jets 2

The Carolina Hurricanes needed the early heroics of Cam Ward to stay in the game before exploding for three quick goals in the second period, then held on to defeat the Winnipeg Jets, 3-2 on Saturday night at the MTS Centre.

The Canes had another slow start in the first period and were outshot 13-6 by the Jets, but Ward made several top notch saves to keep the game scoreless.  Carolina was able to kill off a 5-on-3 advantage early in the game as well.

After Jim Slater scored in the second period to make it 1-0 Winnipeg, Eric Staal and company turned it on and put an onslaught of shots on Jets goalie, Al Montoya.

First, Eric Staal scored 8:25 into the second, then Jordan Staal scored less than two minutes later.  Riley Nash lit the lamp for the third straight goal, 68 seconds after Jordan's goal to make it 3-1.  The Canes outshot the Jets 21-6 in the second, before the home team ramped up their intensity in the third.

The Canes were outshot again, 15-5 in the third as the Jets almost tied the score.

Bryan Little scored to make it 3-2, just 1:27 into the third.  Then it looked like the Jets tied the score a bit later, but the goal was waved off as the refs determined that Dustin Byfuglien had inadvertent contact with Ward.

The Canes were able to keep the Jets off the board the rest of the way to preserve the win.

The team will next face the New York Islanders on Tuesday night at the PNC Arena.

Game Notes:

• The Carolina powerplay has looked better of late and went 1-3 this game.
• The Canes were outshot 36-32 and were led by Sekera and Skinner with five each.
• Sekera once again had a team high of ice time, 24:55.  He also had four blocked shots.  Liles had a team high five.
• The Jets outhit the Canes 33-7.
• Postgame interviews are at Canes PR.com.