Sebastian Aho Named 2024 All-Star The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 Friday night at PNC Arena. Jordan Martinook, Martin Necas, Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho all scored for the Canes while Antti Raanta stopped 10 of 12 in the win. After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour along with Necas, Svechnikov and Michael Bunting spoke with the media. Here's what they had to say: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rod Brind'Amour On a game that could have gone the wrong way: It could have, especially with how right before the second period ended. We were going up the ice and we were sort of asleep for a second shorthanded. There was no reason for us to even do that, and normally you wouldn't, but next thing you know we're in a 2-2 game and really we shouldn't have been. But I give the guys a lot of credit with how we played the third period. That was just great. Just stuck with what we were doing. I don't know what we gave up chance-wise in the third, but not much and that's really what that's about. On staying patient throughout the game: That's exactly what it is. They were waiting to activate and get up the ice with a whole bunch of long stuff. You get a little frustrated and you want to hang out a little bit and next thing you know, that's how they catch you. I thought our guys did a great job of sticking with the game plan and obviously got the two points. On the tightness of the game: There was a lot of similarities there, but the key is to not give them a free one and to not come off what we're doing. Just stick with it and we'll get a bounce or something will go our way. Not that we got a bounce anywhere... well maybe on the power play, it kind of bounced to Svechnikov's stick, but it's all that leads up to getting the power play. That's what happened tonight. On Jordan Martinook: I don't see anything different in his game, ever. That's what makes him a great player. He just plays the same way every night whether he gets on the score sheet or not. He's always around it, he's always getting opportunities. He was really unfortuante for however many games to not have goals and points because he was doing what he's doing now. Maybe the Law of Averages is working out for him now. On Martin Necas: He was the best player on the ice, right? That'll do it. You get a little rest mentally and physically. It's a grind in the NHL. Obviously he'd been out for a while, but he was a difference maker tonight. He was all over it. I don't what else to tell you. That's the kind of play we need out of him. On Necas using the time out as a reset for his season: He hasn't been playing poorly, I don't think at all. I just think that what you saw tonight is what he's capable of doing. Somehow have to keep moving that forward. On what he saw out of Antti Raanta: I didn't see much, which is good. We gave up a couple grade-A chances and breakaways and they ended up in the back of the net, which was unfortuante. He had the first one but just went through his glove and then he didn't really have to make a lot of saves which is a recipe for success. On the power play getting back to how he wanted it to play: We only had one for 30 seconds, so it's kind of hard to say, but if you go through it, there was a plan on the whole thing and it wasn't exactly how we wanted it to go, but it was very close. So I give the guys credit for doing it right. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin Necas On getting back into game action: It was good. It's better than bag-skating every day with [Assistant Coach Jeff Daniels] and obviously it wasn't easy but it was good to stay in shape. Good to be back, feels good and just going to keep getting better. On scoring: I probably should have had a couple in the first but I finally got the one in. Felt good physically. Haven't played for a couple of weeks and have to build on that. On the opportunity for a reset: It feels like a new season, so let's make it a better one. Good win for us and felt good to be back. On watching games from above while out: You see all the fans and how they cheer and live at the game. Good to see that sometimes from the outside and see the game. How to play it. Out on the ice, it feels a little different and you don't hear the fans as much, but it was great. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrei Svechnikov On staying patient in the game: There wasn't many of [chances]. It was kind of that game where you can make a mistake and get the goal in your net. So you try and stay careful of that and stay focused. On not getting a power play until late: You just try to stay focused and play your game because there is not much room when you play against Detroit. That's just how it is. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Bunting On staying patient: It was kind if a grind game on both ends and it was just about capitalizing on our opportunities. We were able to get one there on the power play which was huge to get the lead and then we didn't look back. We were patient and let our skill take over once we had the opportunity to. On the power play: We're clicking right now. Obviously at the start of the season, the power play wasn't really doing well and that was one thing we wanted to focus on. I feel like we're kind of getting our spots now and figuring our where one another are going to be. We do a lot of video on it, so it's been good and we're hoping that it keeps rolling. On 5v5: When there's not many penalties and not a lot of disruption to the flow, I feel like every line gets out there and regularly and you get your feet under yourself and a feel for the puck. I felt like everyone was feeling it tonight and we were just patient with it. Once we had the opportunities to create some plays, we were able to capitalize. On his role on the power play: I was looking for a little low-tip there and it hit off me right to Svechnikov and he was able to put it in. You just try to get open in that little honey hole that I'm in and kind of read the play and just find a soft spot. We have the man-advantage so someone has to be open. I just try to find the right spot for the guys to find me and go from there. On Jordan Martinook: Marty's been great. You know what it is? He's been wearing his helmet in warmups now. I think that's what has turned his whole game around in terms of scoring goals. Yeah, quote that. That he's wearing his helmet in warmups now.
