Sebastian Aho’s two-goal outburst and a clutch power-play strike from Shayne Gostisbehere fueled a resilient comeback in Philadelphia, securing Carolina’s first hard-fought victory of the new season.
The Carolina Hurricanes rallied Saturday night for a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, their first victory of the season.
Sebastian Aho struck twice for the Canes, Shayne Gostisbehere scored the game winner and Pyotr Kochetkov got his first win since 2025.
After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour, along with Gostisbehere, Aho and Kochetkov spoke with the media in Philadelphia. Here's what they had to say:
Rod Brind'Amour
On the game: I thought start to finish we were good. Especially having played last night and that didn't go the way we wanted to, but I thought we got to our game right away, first shift, which was nice and then I thought we had the bulk of the play. I liked we stuck with it and the power play came up big, the penalty kill was great. That's what it needed to do tonight, but I liked the whole process.
On Sebastian Aho: I think he's just been energized. He looked sharp and fresh. I think this time of year, that's kind of how it goes, but he's typically not cashed in early, so hopefully this continues. Only a couple games in, but certainly... I liked the contributions of Will [Carrier] there. He was a real factor on that line. I don't know if that will stick, but certainly was a big factor tonight.
On the top line: They just controlled play. They were heavy in the o-zone and then Fishy can kind of get lost and find those open areas. I thought that was what we saw tonight.
On if the quick goal gave a lift to the bench: Well, we hadn't been scoring. It was only a couple games, but we know we have to score to win, so I think that was just a nice little relief and then we had the rest of the game, which was a grind. We got lots of chances, it's just their goalie played great. But that's what I liked about our group. We've been through this before. There wasn't any panic and we got it done.
On having a veteran group: They know what we have to do. I don't really have to say much, but at the same time, we have to get into it. Tonight we certainly did.
On Pyotr Kochetkov: I thought he was good. I thought he had that one he probably would like to have back, just way, way too aggressive. That's an easy goal there, but I think he made a couple big saves, he handled the puck really well behind the net and broke up a lot of the forechecks, which alleviates the stress that we're under. Thought he was good.
Shayne Gostisbehere
On picking up the first win of the season: Obviously the first two games weren't what we do. Wasn't the way we play and so we just got back to it a little bit tonight. Still some smaller things to clean up, but obviously a good outcome.
On why the power play had success: Just being direct. We get a blueprint before every game on their tendencies, but at the end of the day, we have to go out there and make plays. They were staying pretty high on me and so we knew a seam might be open and we just have to abuse it until they take it away again. Shout out to the PK too. They're always our backbone and they deserve all the credit. They're killing everything for us and they're doing a great job.
On his goal: Just trying to put it on net and thankfully it went in. It wasn't what we were trying to do, we were on the wrong side, but at the end of the day, you have to try and make some plays and get the puck to the net.
On if anything needed to be said after the first two games: No, I mean Roddy said it too. We were going to be fine, just needed to get to it. Maybe spotted us a few games, but we're a veteran group in here, pretty old I'd say, but we knew what we had to do and how to get to our game. The results showed.
Sebastian Aho
On the game: I thought it was a really good bounce back from yesterday. We didn't like our first period yesterday at all, so now we got a better start obviously. Scored a goal right away, but even without that, I felt like we were ready to play and obviously it took us all the way to OT to win the game, but I thought it was a step in the right direction and obviously I'm happy with the two points.
On the power play: Obviously there's a prescout and you're trying to look a little bit at what they're going to do and what their differences are, but I've always said it comes down to execution. The passes and shots. There's always plays you think you're going to run, but it's hockey. You have to play hockey and there's a reason why you're on the power play. [Nikolaj Ehlers], that pass to the slot for me, that was elite. Happy to be good in that department too.
On if he could feel a sense of relief for the team when he scored 10 seconds into the game: I mean, obviously it's nice to get a hot start and start the game the right way, but honestly, I felt today we were playing our game the full 60+ minutes. Just had to keep grinding and trust that it will happen eventually.
On if there needed to be any message said in the room coming into the game: We play for the points, play for the wins, but obviously our mentality was to play Hurricanes hockey again and the results... even today, it almost didn't go our way, but even if we had lost, we had taken a step in the right direction where you're executing and playing how you want to play. It was a tight match and they all are in this league. Happy to take two points, but obviously the game itself was better as well.
On special teams: PK was obviously good, our goalie played well. Jordo, Marty, Slavo, those guys are just horses out there. So many cleared pucks. The power play, I thought it was good. We were moving the puck, moving ourselves, shooting some pucks. We executed well.
On Pyotr Kochetkov: Happy to get a win for him. He played solid. Obviously we'd seen it through training camp and even a little bit last year at the end there. I had full trust that he'd be fine.
Pyotr Kochetkov
On picking up his first win since December 2025: Not bad, not bad. Good start for us. A little bit second period, not too good for me. I very happy guys just continued to play well and give credit for Flyers goalie. He did incredible. I very happy we win today.
On how he felt with his game: A little bit better than in preseason. Not lots of shot. Good for me, good for communication for when we have breakouts. We do well. Communication is my difference and we have a couple moments. I actually feel not bad for first game. I very happy. We'll see later.
On the team picking up its first win: I never think about how team plays because I know these guys are unbelievable. I just worry about helping guys a little bit because I know what it's about. Defense, I know we have system and we play well every night, it's just for me, a little bit help guys. That's it.
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