Carolina Hurricanes Fall to Columbus 4-3 in Overtime

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 24: Pierre-Luc Dubois #18 of the Columbus Blue Jackets shields the puck from Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes as goaltender Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes defends the net during the first period of a game on October 24, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 24: Pierre-Luc Dubois #18 of the Columbus Blue Jackets shields the puck from Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes as goaltender Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes defends the net during the first period of a game on October 24, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 24: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal during game action between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 24, 2019, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 24: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal during game action between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 24, 2019, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Aho Finally Gets Rewarded

With only two empty net goals on the season it was clear the Hurricanes needed to get more offensive production from their number one center. Just like his line mate Nino Niederreiter, the duo have had their chances but for whatever reason haven’t been able to finish.

Shortly after Dzingel scored the go ahead goal, for the time being, Aho was double shifted on the wing with Brock McGinn and Lucas Wallmark.  Going to the front of the net, he finally scored a goal with an opposing team’s goalie in the net for the first time this season, tipping a Brett Pesce point shot.

Historically a player who starts the season off slow, you could see the weight lifted off his shoulders as soon as the puck went in. It hasn’t been much of a secret that aside from Hamilton and Erik Haula, the Canes haven’t had much goal production from their top offensive players. With Sebastian finally doing so, we should start seeing the player that earned his massive contract extension this off season.

One can only hope the Nino will score his first of the season soon, as it will go a long way in helping Carolina end their 1-3-1 skid. If the Hurricanes want to be a team that’s challenging for the Stanley Cup come spring, they’re going to need to have balanced scoring up and down the lineup.

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