Hurricanes Defense Slams The Door On Columbus

Just when the Hurricane’s defense could not have looked any more sluggish, they stepped up and slammed the door in the face of the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 silencing doubters who qestioned this team’s ability to lock down games.

Carolina’s blue line scored 5 of the 6 goals with 16 of the 41 total shots on goal in a history making night for All-Star Coach Rod Brind’Amour.

Between Brett Pesce’s two goals, Brent Burns’ one, Jalen Chatfield’s highlight reel worthy display, and Jaccob Slavin’s absolute missile, the Hurricanes defense put themselves in the Carolina Hurricanes record book marking only the second time a defensive squad accounted for 5 goals in an all out domination of the Blue Jackets.

Two minutes and 34 seconds into the game Brett Pesce snapped one in with an assist from Teuvo Teravainen (who also had a nifty game) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Pesce would finish the game with 6 shots, 26 shifts, and yes another goal . Hat trick watch sirens were rang as Pesce flicked a wrister in at the 11:54 mark in the third off an assist from slick skating Aho.  For the night Brett Pesce’s line reads 2G  2PT +3 and 6 shots on goal. Not to shabby for a defenseman.

Brent Burns jumped on the scoreboard with Canes first (of three) short handed goals with 9:21 left in the 1st period. Captain Jordan Staal did an outstanding job drawing an interference call on Patrick Laine. Sebastian Aho wins the face-off in the offensive zone and two quick passes from Seth Jarvis and Jaccob Slavin setup the wrap around goal from Burns who’s +1 night marks his first positive game in 6.

Not to be left out of the Hurricanes defensive bomb bonanza, Jalen Chatfield scores the second (again of three) short handed goals with a highlight that can live rent free in your head for days.

Just when Columbus fans could not take any more of the Hurricanes defense, Jaccob Slavin puts the third (yes third) short-handed goal on an rope with a slap shot that might still be going if it not for the netting. Slavin’s two points (1G 1A) were the his first in 4 games, having not tallied any since January 3rd.

And then, Seth Jarvis.

Writing off Jarvis’ goal would be criminal as it was not only the nail in Columbus’ coffin, but also a beauty of a back hand at the 16:45 mark. Jarvis also had an awakening along with the defense and snapped what had been a rather quiet stretch going back to before Christmas. With only 3 points since December 23rd, Jarvis needed a big game. And a big game he got! Two points on 19 shifts and 16:53 of playing time. If it were up to the Hurricanes Nation, Jarvis could easily be named the Defensive Player of the game, even if just honorary.

The Hurricanes defense picked one of the best ways to pull out of a stretch of slumping hockey. A note not to be ignored, defensive guru Coach Rod Brind’Amour won his 200th game making him the third fastest coach in the NHL history to do so and moved him to second in wins for the Carolina Hurricanes history.

All in all it was not a bad night for the Carolina Hurricanes in Columbus. A win, 4 game losing streak snapped, two more points on the New Jersey Devils AND the Boston Bruins, the Canes special teams seemingly waking up, and the Hurricanes defense put on a clinic. Plus, the Carolina Hurricanes are still in 1st place in the Metro. But wait….there’s something else…….OH! Right. Freddie Andersen is back!