Continuing with our theme weeks during the offseason, this week we'll focus our attention on team lore and some of the forgotten, overlooked, viral, and funny moments in franchise history. Today, we're tackling a game from 2019 that I don't think gets enough publicity, especially with how incredibly crazy its ending was.
When we reminisce about the 2018-19 Carolina Hurricanes, we spend a lot of time talking about either Game #81 against New Jersey, the win that broke the postseason drought, or the Washington series to open the playoffs, particularly their 2OT win in Game 7. However, there's one moment from that regular season that doesn't get the proper spotlight, and it came in early March.
Entering their contest against the Florida Panthers on March 2, 2019, the Canes had just stomped the St. Louis Blues in Raleigh the night before, maintaining their playoff spot for the moment. In Sunrise to complete the back-to-back, Petr Mrazek drew the assignment for Carolina, entering on a four-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Panthers were well out of the hunt.
The Hurricanes jumped out to a quick lead in the first period. Brock McGinn stripped Keith Yandle and surprised Samuel Montembeault under his glove just 86 seconds into the game. Then, Lucas Wallmark set up Greg McKegg from below the goal line to double the lead 39 seconds later. Just over two minutes in, the Canes were off and running.
It wouldn't be that easy for the Canes. Henrik Borgstrom cut the deficit in half 5:01 into the game, catching Mrazek guessing with a short-side snipe. Mark Pysyk tied it just past the way point in the opening frame, getting a friendly bounce off Jordan Martinook's stick. Borgstrom's second of the night moved the Panthers ahead early in the third period, putting the Canes behind for the first time.
Brett Pesce got it back a few minutes later. Jordan Staal's pass to the slot hit some bodies before settling onto Pesce's stick for a backhand roof job. It's not where you would usually find the Canes' defenseman, but it's a great thing he was there. Tied at three after 60 minutes, one point was secured, but a big second point was on the line. What followed was pure chaos and an incredible celebration.
Mrazek stood on his head, and he wasn't shy about his excitement
The Panthers nearly finished the job, with future Hurricane Vincent Trocheck getting a chance in front of the net that either hit the iron or was stopped by Mrazek. Then, Mrazek tempted fate, creating the blueprint later followed by Pyotr Kochetkov. With Mike Matheson sneaking behind the defense for a breakaway, Mrazek came out with a diving poke check to break up the chance.
His reprieve was mere seconds. Sebastian Aho turned the puck over in the offensive zone, thanks to a well-placed stick from Aleksander Barkov. With the Panthers' captain fighting off Aho's attempts to get it back, he pushed the puck forward for Jonathan Huberdeau to go one-on-one with Mrazek. Once again, the Canes' netminder stood firm.
The Canes immediately turned the puck up the ice, with Nino Niederreiter and Aho skating 2-on-1 against Yandle. The defenseman tried to take away the pass, but Niederreiter waited long enough to get the puck around Yandle's sprawling body. Aho was on the receiving end, finishing it to win it in overtime, going from zero to hero in no time flat.
Mrazek, in a no-doubt ecstatic state after seeing his team score, came out of the net and showed about as much emotion as you'll see from a goalie. Skating full speed, he slid on a knee and pumped his fists as if he'd scored the goal. He might as well have after the heroics he displayed during the brief overtime. All of this took place over 26 seconds before Aho won it at 1:46 of overtime.
Unbelievable finish in Florida. Petr Mrazek comes up with two unreal plays. Sebastian Aho wins it. WOW. pic.twitter.com/tU7HnxqPhu
— Brett Finger (@brettfinger) March 3, 2019
About a month later, it was Mrazek's immortal "We're in! We're in! Yes! Yes!" during his bench interview with Mike Maniscalco that got all of the attention. Still, I can't help but think how different the end of the season would've gone if Mrazek hadn't taken that chance and the Canes didn't win that game in overtime against the Panthers. I guess we'll never know.
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