Hurricanes 7, Canucks 2
Where to start.
How about Logan Stankoven scoring a natural hat trick spread over two periods, pulling off the extremely rare trifecta of one shorthanded goal, one power play goal, and the final one at even strength.
Yep. That happened at 13:13 and 19:02 of the 2nd period and 11:36 of the 3rd. The situational bonus that came with his first career hat trick isn’t as rare as one might think. He’s the fourth player in franchise history to record a hatty in such a manor.
Oh, and by the way, his third goal put the Hurricanes up 7-1 on the Canucks.
Carolina had lost their first two homes games this season without ever holding a lead. Let’s just say the defending Stanley Cup champs were a little pissed off and ready to go on Thursday in Raleigh.
The defending 32nd place Canucks never stood a chance. The Canes jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first 9:25 of the game and held Vancouver to three shots on goal through the first 20 minutes.
Jake DeBrusk scored both Vancouver goals, his first two of the season.
Goalie Kevin Lankinen got shelled, giving up six goals on 18 shots through two periods before giving way to fellow-Finn, back-up goalie Leevi Meriläinen. He stopped 15 of 16 shots in the 3rd period.
Carolina outshot Vancouver 33-20 for the game.
Recently acquired “old-timers”, D-man Luke Schenn and winger Brendan Gallagher, sat this one out for Vancouver.
The Canucks six game road trip continues on Saturday with a matinee in New Jersey. The Devils might be a little ticked off as well, coming off back-to-back losses to the New York Islanders and Utah Mammoth while giving up eleven goals and only scoring three. The NYI loss was a 6-0 shut-out.
Earlier Canucks:
— Feisty Canucks Finish Strong Over Flames
