Greensboro fans witnessed a stunning rally as Carolina netted five unanswered goals to stun Nashville. Rod Brind’Amour breaks down the veteran-led comeback and intense roster battles brewing.
The Carolina Hurricanes pulled off an exciting comeback win Thursday night, scoring five unanswered goals, including the game-winner with 2.6 seconds remaining, against the Nashville Predators in the third game of the preseason.
It was the team's first time playing back in Greensboro since 1999 as well, and so the fans got treated to a real special night.
After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour along with Felix Unger Sorum, Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall spoke with the media. Here's what they had to say:
Rod Brind'Amour
On the game: It was kind of a really gross start to the game and you just never know, right? I did like the fact that we never quit. We just kept playing and obviously our big guys, the guys you would expect, the NHL guys, they kind of took cover a little bit and got us back into the game. They just kept playing. It was a nice finish anyway.
On the Logan Stankoven line picking up right where they left off: That's what it looked like. Pretty much every shift they were snapping it around. There was definitely... we saw that last year, the chemistry with those guys. They just seem to mesh really well and I'm glad it started this way.
On the crowd in Greensboro: It was a nice night. They were loud, they were cheering and thankfully we gave them something to cheer about. It didn't look so good there for a lot of the game, but everyone went home happy, so it was good.
On Felix Unger Sorum's performance: I love it. We came into camp and everyone knows Jarvy is out and I assume there's a spot available. And we tell guys to go after it and a lot of guys, more than one guy, is making a case for it.
On Pyotr Kochetkov: I thought he made the save of the game at the end of the second period. Last minute there we give up a little breakaway and if that goes in, it's a three-goal game and it's over. That was a huge save and then right at the end before we scored, he comes out, is aggressive there and was able to make a big save. It's kind of the timely saves and he kind of kept us in the game, and I thought, played pretty well as the game went on.
On the defense: That's another spot we have competition for and everyone knows what's going on there. There's a few guys and I certainly don't think that competition is over by any stretch. Have one more game, but that's going to have to be a big discussion there.
On his trip to Greensboro: On the bus. It's actually enjoyable to have someone drive you to the game. It wasn't that bad. It was my first time doing that. I missed that as a player, didn't do the Greensboro thing, but I don't know if I'd want to do that every game. A little too far.
On having the game in Greensboro: I'm glad that we're able to play here. Clearly we have people out in Greensboro that support the Canes, right? Sometimes you always get talking about Raleigh and that's obviously our big fanbase, but it's nice to know we have fans elsewhere and nice to get back to a place where it all started.
Felix Unger Sorum
On making an impression: It was fun to get the goal and the win.
On sticking with the game despite going down 5-1: I think that's why we won. Because we stuck with it and just kept on playing the game. It worked out.
On the mood on the bench: We had a good mood. I didn't feel like there was any panic at all and that's probably why we won.
On the crowd: Really fun. It was a really good crowd. I really enjoyed it.
On it being a cool moment to score the game-winner: Of course. It's always fun to score and help the team win.
On his goal: The pass came a little behind me and I was looking for the pass like I usually do and then I was like, 'Yeah, I'll just shoot it,' and it went in.
On the NHL veterans: They're such good hockey players and you learn so much just watching them. It's a privilege to be allowed to play a game with them.
Logan Stankoven
On the comeback: I think just playing our game. I thought the tides really turned there halfway through the second. Guys get excited when someone pots one. Sometimes it takes a couple periods to find the legs, especially for us playing our first preseason game, but it was fun.
On Unger Sorum's game-winning goal: From the bench, it was like a mini 4-on-3 and we thought he was going to pass, but it was a beautiful shot low glove. Great play and he was a huge part of this game.
On having the same linemates heading into this year: Very excited. I think it's not going to come to us. I think everything is earned and just because we had some success in the playoffs doesn't mean it's just going to translate right away. I think we have that chemistry, we have the recipe now and it's about finding it and being more consistent throughout the regular season.
On playing a full 60 minutes: That's what it's all about. You're never out until the final horn. It was great to see the guys battle. It was an exciting game even though it was only preseason. Great just to get the juices flowing again and a great turnout from the people of Greensboro.
On getting an extra preseason game in: It's huge. Our whole line, we just kind of talked. We wanted to play two games. I think the first one is always a little bit scrambly and just about getting your legs back in timing and now we'll have one more preseason game to kind of fine tune things and be ready to go on Tuesday.
On getting to Greensboro: I actually hopped in with Blaker. He's got a pretty nice ride now, so it was nice enough of him to let me hop in. Maybe I can get some shut eye on the way back.
On how they passed the time: He had some good tunes going for a bit and then we were just kind of reminiscing on our playoff run and the Cup Final and everything that kind of came afterwards. Then the last 15 minutes was just his country music.
On if the mentality changes as defending champs: No, I don't think so. There's going to be a target on our back and every team in every building we go to, they're going to want to knock us off. We're at the top and we set the bar at the top and now it's about staying there and not letting our game slip. It's great that we're brining back mostly the same team, the same group of guys. Hopefully we'll just keep building that chemistry and get better as the year goes on.
On playing in Greensboro: It was awesome. I really enjoyed it. Obviously a lot of history with the Canes starting here. I didn't know that the team actually practiced in Raleigh and then had to drive here for the games. I did not know that and that's pretty crazy. Kudos to those players for going through it. But great turnout, fun building to play in. Glad we could get the win for them.
Taylor Hall
On his line's performance: I didn't think it was perfect, but it was fun to get playing. It was a good atmosphere. The crowd was into it all game. For our line, we work hard and that's kind of our recipe. If we manage pucks well, then we usually have chances just from our work ethic and our skill. That kind of paid off in the end.
On seeing the young prospects up close: It was fun. There's a lot of talent with the guys that sort of got a taste at the end of the year last year. And you don't go to the Calder Cup Final by accident, right? There's some good skill, some good work ethic from those guys and that's what you need as an organization. You're always going to be pushed and there's always going to be guys coming for your job. That was fun to see and I think the comeback was kind of a team effort, right? [Kochetkov] makes that big save at the end of the second and then it was a great third. I think everyone had a lot of fun.
On if he's prepared for a long season: Yeah. That's what we get paid to do. It's long, but it goes by really quickly, especially when you're winning games and having success as a team. It doesn't feel that long. That's our goal and before you know it, it's Christmas and then playoffs. And that's what we're really gunning for this year. Obviously we want to have a good season and set ourselves up for a good playoffs and be as healthy as we can be, but I think we're all looking forward to it. I think everyone is hungry to get back to playing.
On playing in Greensboro: It was a lot of fun. I think the crowd was into it all night long, even when we were down. Scoring chances, they made some noise and they clearly know hockey. That was a really good experience. I'm glad I came and played. I talked to Rod the other day and I wanted to come play, not just to come to Greensboro, but I wanted to get into game action. To come here, where the Hurricanes kind of started as a franchise when they moved, it was fun. It's always cool to see other buildings. I drove to the game and it was an hour and a half, so it was just unique and it's kind of fun to swap things up like that.
On going from the Stanley Cup Final as his last game to a preseason game in Greensboro: It's just hockey. If you think every game is going to feel like the Stanley Cup Final, it's not. That's not to say that you have to get amped up for a game like this, but the way we play, you can't really take a shift off and whether it's the finals or an exhibition game, you want to put your best foot forward and give yourself a chance with your effort and your details. I thought our line did that pretty well as the game went on, but no, it's not going to feel like the Cup Final in Vegas. In saying that, I'm excited to get back to playing in front of our fans again. It's going to be awesome.
Recent Articles
Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
