Hurricanes Rally Late to Stun Mammoth in Whalers Throwback Night Thriller
After a long layoff that felt more like a mini-bye week, the Carolina Hurricanes returned to the ice Thursday night and did it in style-literally. Donning their classic Whalers threads, the Canes treated fans to a rollercoaster of a game against the Utah Mammoth, ending in a wild 5-4 comeback win that had just about everything: early leads, costly turnovers, redemption arcs, and one furious final push.
Let’s break it down.
Early Pressure, Early Reward
Carolina came out of the gate looking like a team eager to shake off the rust. The top line, anchored by Sebastian Aho, set the tone with sustained pressure, and it paid off early. After Jalen Chatfield fired a shot that was initially stopped, Andrei Svechnikov was perfectly placed to bury the rebound and give the Canes a 1-0 lead.
Both goalies had their moments in the opening frame-Brandon Bussi for Carolina and Karel Vejmelka, the NHL’s current wins leader, for Utah. Each got some help from the iron, but the first period belonged to the home team.
Second Period Slips and Swings
The second period was a different story. Utah came out with more bite, and Carolina’s defensive cracks started to show-most notably from Shayne Gostisbehere.
In his first game back after a two-week absence, Gostisbehere lost an edge, allowing Kailer Yamamoto to tie the game early. Moments later, Yamamoto struck again-this time after getting away with a slash-to give Utah a 2-1 lead.
Gostisbehere quickly made up for his miscue with a power-play rocket to even things at 2-2. But just 19 seconds later, JJ Peterka answered right back for Utah, capitalizing on a failed clear to restore the Mammoth’s lead heading into the third.
Gostisbehere’s Up-and-Down Night
It’s fair to say Gostisbehere had one of the most eventful nights of any player on the ice. He finished with two goals and an assist, but he was also directly involved in two of Utah’s goals against. After the edge slip in the second, he later mishandled the puck behind the net in the third, leading to another Utah goal that extended the lead to 4-2.
But credit where it’s due-he didn’t fold. Instead, he helped spark the comeback, notching his second goal of the night during a frantic final two minutes that flipped the game on its head.
Svechnikov’s January Surge Continues
If there’s one player who’s been consistently turning heads this month, it’s Andrei Svechnikov. He scored twice Thursday night, bringing his January total to 10 goals and 19 points-with still one game left in the month.
This is a player who, not long ago, was the subject of trade whispers after being bumped to the fourth line. Now?
He’s Carolina’s most dynamic forward. Against Utah, Svechnikov was everywhere-on the puck, in the right spots, and making plays.
His second goal, which cut the deficit to 4-3 with under two minutes to go, ignited the rally.
Late-Game Chaos and Clutch Finishes
After Svechnikov’s goal gave Carolina life, it was Gostisbehere again, scoring just 32 seconds later to tie the game at four. But they weren’t done.
With under 30 seconds left, Jalen Chatfield-who earlier in the game had made a costly turnover that led to a Utah goal-fired a puck toward the net. Jordan Martinook got a stick on it, and Jordan Staal finished it off, redirecting the puck home for the game-winner. Just like that, the Canes had turned a two-goal deficit into a stunning 5-4 win in the final two minutes.
Power Play Delivers When It Counts
Carolina’s power play has been a mixed bag all season, and Thursday night was no different. They went 2-for-5, including a crucial goal in the second period and another that helped launch the comeback. It wasn’t always pretty-there were stretches where the man advantage looked stagnant-but in a game where every bounce mattered, the special teams came through when it had to.
Bussi Gets Win No. 20 Despite Off Night
Brandon Bussi didn’t have his sharpest performance, but he did just enough to earn his 20th win of the season-making him the fastest goalie in NHL history to hit that mark. He made a few key saves when the game was still in the balance, but the defense in front of him didn’t do many favors. That said, the team found a way to win, and that’s what matters most at this point in the season.
Looking Ahead
The Hurricanes now gear up for their final back-to-back before the Olympic break. They’ll head to Washington, D.C., on Saturday to face the Capitals before returning home Sunday to host the Kings. With winter weather potentially in play, travel could get tricky, but the Canes are hoping to ride the momentum of Thursday’s dramatic win into the weekend.
They’ll close out their pre-Olympic schedule next week with matchups against Ottawa and the Rangers. If Thursday night was any indication, this team doesn’t plan on coasting into the break-they’re fighting for every point, and they’re doing it with flair.