The New York Islanders had Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in their hands. They had a 3-0 lead over the Carolina Hurricanes midway through the second period. However, it all came crashing down in the third period. Jordan Martinook helped Carolina score five goals in the final frame to claim Game 2.
The Hurricanes won this game despite losing a defenseman midway through. Carolina rearguard Brett Pesce left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return. Initial comments from head coach Rod Brind'Amour don't paint a great picture of the veteran defenseman's outlook, unfortunately.
After the game, Martinook provided his thoughts on his team's chaotic come-from-behind victory. “In the third, it was just wave after wave,” the Hurricanes forward said, via NHL.com. “We were coming at them and we didn’t give them anything, which was key.”
“The momentum of us tying the game and the energy it sends, I don’t really know how to describe it. Obviously, you push that hard, hopefully you’re going to get a couple. Luckily we did. Those are fun games to be a part of, and I’m not going to sleep too good tonight I don’t think.”
Hurricanes' wild third period
The Hurricanes found their first goal in the middle frame. Veteran forward Teuvo Teravainen got a puck past Islanders goalie Semon Varlamov with seven minutes remaining. However, Carolina could not break through for most of the third. That is until Seth Jarvis scored to bring the team within one.
With less than three minutes remaining, it happened. Sebastian Aho scored to tie the game 3-3. Just nine seconds later, Jordan Martinook found the back of the net to give the Hurricanes the lead. The Islanders did what they could to find an equalizer. But Jake Guentzel put the puck into the back of an empty net to seal the victory.
Brind'Amour gave his perspective on it all after the game. “It was a special night, for sure,” the Hurricanes coach said, via NHL.com. “It’s one of those games we’ll look back on for a long time. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime type game.”
Islanders look to bounce back
While Jordan Martinook and the Islanders were ecstatic with their victory, Islanders coach Patrick Roy was less than pleased. He acknowledged that Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was theirs to win. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the job done again.
The Islanders head coach is not looking to dwell on the loss, though. Yes, it's a tough pill to swallow. That being said, New York is still in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They can mount a comeback of their own. And that starts with preparing for Game 3 in front of their home fans.
“It’s a tough loss, no doubt about it, because we had a chance to win that game,” Roy said, via NHL.com. “But at the same time, we’ve got to regroup and be ready for the next game. We’re going home and we need to play well at our building and win game No. 3, that’s all.”
The Islanders host Game 3 at UBS Arena on Thursday night. This game could be vital for the team's hopes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It'll certainly be interesting to see if New York can come back and claim a win for themselves. Or if Jordan Martinook and the Hurricanes put a stranglehold on this series.
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