Hurricanes Net First Win of 2020, Defeat Flyers in Overtime

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RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 7: Lucas Wallmark #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during an NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 7, 2020 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Carolina Hurricanes are finally in the win column again in 2020 after a tough back and forth match-up with yet another Metro Division rival.

In one of the most pivotal games they have played in so far, the Carolina Hurricanes walk away with a much-needed two points and their first win of the new year as they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 in overtime. Let’s take a look at three takeaways from Tuesday night’s game.

Wow. This game featured a lot. A true display of desperation from both sides that only fueled how important this game was for the two teams. Early on in the first, it was all Philly. They would score the first two goals and take the crowd out of it early. That wouldn’t last long however, as the Hurricanes would soon tie the game and head into the intermission knotted up at two.

https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1214744852283437057

We enter the second, and the pace didn’t slow down. Carolina carried all of the momentum they gained from the first period into the second, and ended up with a 4-2 lead after scoring two in the first five minutes. The Flyers would answer later on in the second on a goal by Nicolas Aube-Kubel. The Hurricanes would go into the second intermission hanging on to a 4-3 lead.

The third period definitely saw a change of pace. The Hurricanes had chances, but just couldn’t get the back breaker. The Flyers almost tied the game when the puck squeezed through James Reimer, but as the referee blew the whistle, it stopped on the goal line. They would review it for continuation, but determined the call was correct and there was no goal. The Flyers would answer on a goal by Travis Sanheim. We then head into overtime.

The overtime frame would last just two minutes, as Dougie Hamilton put on a show in his shift. He would score the game winner and the Hurricanes would win 5-4. Of course, you would rather the game have ended in regulation, but the two points were so important to grab in this one. Let’s take a look at three takeaways from tonight’s game.

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