Hurricanes 3, Blue Jackets 2

After a slow first two periods, the Carolina Hurricanes came out on fire in the third and scored three times in just 1:38 to steal a game from the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-2 on Thursday night.

Eddie Lack made 42 saves on 44 shots to earn the win for the Hurricanes.  Lack was busy all night as the Canes were outshot 16-6 in the first period, 12-8 in the second, and 16-10 in the third.

After a scoreless first period, the Jackets took a 1-0 lead in the second when Matt Calvert planted himself right in front of Lack for the tip in.  Coach Bill Peters used his coach's challenge on the play claiming goalie interference but after a long review, (and after Tripp Tracy said it should be no goal), the goal stood.   Calvert's feet seemed to be in the crease but perhaps they ruled he slipped there after the puck was in the net.

The Hurricanes started out the third period on the powerplay but could not score then.  They did score when Victor Rask ripped in a shot, 52 seconds into the period.

A minute and change later, Chris Terry broke in alone and put on a pretty move to score again at 2:19 into the period.

Elias Lindholm, who played one of his more physical games, notched another goal 11 seconds later with a deflection of a Jordan Staal shot.

Columbus was not done though as they came right down the ice.  Boone Jenner scored his 27th of the year when he pushed the puck into the net through Lack, 4:03 into the third.

Both teams settled down a bit after that but Lack had to make a couple of sterling saves later in the period to make the one goal lead hold up.  The goalie's save percentage for the season is now equal to Cam Ward's at .907, after starting out the season in the .800's.

Justin Faulk played his first game back from injury in a very long time.  He contributed 20:46 of ice time and had three blocked shots in the contest.

The Canes will return home for two games at the PNC this holiday weekend.

Game Notes:

• The Canes were outshot 44-24 for the game.  Rask had a team high three.
• For the second straight game, Ron Hainsey had a team high 22:52 of ice time.  Hainsey took a puck to the face and gets kudos for returning to action.
• Normally solid in the faceoff circle, the team won 39% this game.
• Terry now has a team high four game point streak and has goals in three straight.
• Event Summary