RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes won their last game indoors before their first game outdoors.
The Canes ignited for four goals in the third period and Seth Jarvis finished with his first carer hat trick Thursday for a 6-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at PNC Arena, flexing their muscles on a night when former goalie Cam Ward was inducted into the team’s new hall of fame.
The Hurricanes (36-10-8) will face the Washington Capitals on Saturday in the 2023 Stadium Series game at Carter-Finley Stadium. That will be a historic night and game for the Canes franchise, but first there was the matter of playing the Canadiens, who had won three straight.
Sebastian Aho, Jarvis and Jordan Staal all scored in the first five minutes of the third to break the game open. Jarvis’ goal, off a Brent Burns rebound, was his second of the game. He finished off his first NHL hat trick with 19.8 seconds to play.
Jesperi Kotkanimi and Jarvis had first-period goals for the Canes. Montreal’s Michael Pezzetta had the game’s first goal, and Rafael Harvey-Pinard’s power-play goal in the second tied it 2-2 before the Hurricanes quickly and firmly took control in the third.
The Canes’ Andrei Svechnikov had his goal-less streak reach 18 games but had three assists to tie his career high and played a rugged game. In a change, Svechnikov started the game on Aho’s line with Jarvis.
Aho broke the tie at 2:05 of the third after defenseman Calvin de Haan got a shot through and Aho won the fight in front for his 24th of the season.
Jarvis then picked up his second of the night at 3:53 for a two-goal lead. Burns deftly puck-handled his way down the slot for a backhander that became a juicy rebound for Jarvis, who has 10.
When Staal took a pass from Jordan Martinook off the rush and ripped a shot past Sam Montembeault, the lead was 5-2.
Things were festive Thursday at PNC Arena as Ward was inducted into the team’s new Hall of Fame before the game. A number of Ward’s former teammates and friends were in the house for a heart-warming ceremony for the Canes’ Stanley Cup-winning goalie in 2006.
Both the Hurricanes and the Canadiens (23-28-4) were on their benches to see it, Habs coach Martin St. Louis showing respect for a player he once competed against for many years.
The game itself was as choppy as the ice appeared to be as both teams fumbled passes or misplayed the puck in other ways.
The Habs tied it 2-2 after a call against Svechnikov in the second period that had Canes fans booing and Brind’Amour hot behind the bench.
Svechnikov muscled defenseman Justin Barron into the boards as he swiped the puck in the Montreal zone. The call was cross-checking on Svechnikov and the boos were louder when Harvey-Pinard scored on the power play.
The Habs struck first in the game when Pezzetta was able to get behind the defense and beat Raanta for a 1-0 lead.
After a road win Tuesday in Washington to start the Canes’ Fathers and Mentors trip, everyone headed to PNC Arena for Thursday’s game. The Stadium Series game will cap off a memorable week.
