Carolina Hurricanes Defeat Chicago Blackhawks, Extend Home Point Streak to 11 Games

In front of a rowdy home crowd of 18,016, the Carolina Hurricanes delivered a big 3-2 win over the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.

After an early first period push from Carolina, it was Chicago that scored the game’s first goal. Michal Kempny ripped home his first NHL goal on a one-time feed at the top of the circle from Jonathan Toews.

The Hurricanes kept their foot on the gas. Under two minutes later, Elias Lindholm drove to the crease following a net drive from Jordan Staal and slammed home a loose puck at 8:32 of the opening frame to tie the game at one.

1:05 later, Carolina took their first lead of the night. Teuvo Teravainen threw the puck on net from the left side boards and a Sebastian Aho deflection was handled by Scott Darling, but Lee Stempniak came flying up the right wing and put the rebound home to make it 2-1.

Chicago started to push a bit more in the second period, which forced Cam Ward to make a plethora of great saves. He was able to keep the Hawks at bay and kept the game at 2-1 entering periods three.

The Hurricanes came out strong in the third period and they were rewarded with a goal. Patrick Kane’s ugly turnover following some hard work from Sebastian Aho at the offensive blueline set up Jay McClement with a chance in all alone and he blasted it past Darling to make it 3-1.

Just under three minutes later, the Blackhawks came back within a goal. Jonathan Toews shot was deflected by Vinnie Hinostroza and it glided along the chest of Cam Ward and over his shoulder to make it a one-goal game.

A flurry of chances from Chicago was thwarted away by Ward and the Hurricanes as they closed out a tightly contested 3-2 win at the PNC Arena.

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