Jordan Martinook, Stefan Noesen and Rod Brind'Amour on Third-Period Collapse: 'We've got a lot of guys that aren't pulling their weight'

The Carolina Hurricanes had a strong start to Thursday's game, jumping out to an early two-goal lead against the Calgary Flames. 

However, that's about as far as the good vibes went, as a visually unengaged team sleepwalked their way into a third period collapse, ultimately falling 3-2.

After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour along with Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen spoke with the media. Here's what they had to say:

Rod Brind'Amour

On the game: We weren't very good. We came out okay, which I expected after the other night, but then we just sat around. Sat back , sat back and didn't generate anything. Really, we were fortunate to be up 2-0. Took a little breather when we should have been slamming the door on the power play and then we give up a shorty. Tough game. 

On special teams: Just not good enough. We've got a lot of guys that aren't pulling their weight. Plain and simple. Can read into that what you want, but we're not going to win if we don't have 20 guys going. We have some guys going every night, contributing and doing what they do, but there's a lot of others that need to look in the mirror.

On mentality: We're fragile right now. There's no doubt. We've been kicked around but the way we've played in the last two games is not going to get it done. No one's going to feel sorry for us. We know we're a good team, but not playing like that.

Jordan Martinook

On failing to close out the third: We sat back. Where we're at right now, there should be a huge sense of urgency going into a period like that, especially when you have a two-goal lead to close it out. For us to sit back and let them come and not have any pushback, it's... especially where we're at right now... I don't know. It's hard to fathom right now. Obviously we're in a rut right now and we're going into a team that's playing really good as well so we need to do what we need to do tomorrow, come back Saturday with the mindset that we're going to dominate and not lose a battle. 

On mentality: You can't lose your confidence. You have to believe you're a good team and know you're a good team. It's about executing. When it's magnified as it is right now, one play can be the difference and we have to make sure we don't have any lulls. We have to be dialed in for 100% of the game and just not take your foot off the gas for one moment especially with where we are right now.

Stefan Noesen

On failing to close out the game: I thought we just sat back and watched. The start of the third was not how we want to do things. We had a sh---y game yesterday and with a 2-0 lead going into the third and then that's what happened. We can't give up a shorty there. That's just unacceptable all around.

On troubles with consistency: We have some guys doing it the way we want to do it and some guys that aren't. We're figuring it out as a team and the only way we're going to get out of this is together. There's really not much more to be said than that.