The future of the Carolina Hurricanes was on full display over the weekend at the 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase in Florida. Fielding a team of prospects to face Florida, Tampa Bay, and Nashville, the Hurricanes showcased how deep their pool runs. While the results of each game don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, it was nice to see some wins, earning victories in all three games over the four-day schedule.
Play began on Thursday night with the Hurricanes facing the Panthers. This was the most lopsided of the three efforts, with the Canes dominating most of the game. The power play struck twice, the forecheck helped to create two more goals, and the goalies split action as the Canes cruised to a 4-1 victory.
In Game 2, things didn’t go the Canes’ way for most of the afternoon. Tampa Bay held a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes before the onslaught arrived. A short-handed tally, a highlight reel goal, and another power play marker allowed the Canes to earn a 3-2 lead more than halfway through the third period. The Bolts would force overtime with a goal late in regulation, and after neither team capitalized on power plays in the extra sessions, the Canes took the win in a seven-round shootout.
Their finale against Nashville was a tough one with wide momentum swings. The Predators fielded one of the more experienced teams, featuring several players that cracked the NHL lineup at the end of the year. The Canes scored a goal in the first 1:11 of each period as they managed to fight off a late attack from the Predators to finish the 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase undefeated with a 3-2 victory.
There was a lot to like about the effort of this group during the showcase. Here are some things that stood out to me while I took in the first hockey action of the season for the Hurricanes.