Recap: Canes Fall to Blackhawks

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - After surrendering three goals in the second period, the Carolina Hurricanes fell to the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-2, in the second game of the NHL Prospect Tournament.
"We were playing on our heels a little bit," said Julien Gauthier, who scored the first goal of the game on the power play. "It didn't go the way we wanted. It was a great effort. We tried to get back, but in the second and the last 10 minutes of the first period, they outworked us."
Here are five takeaways from this afternoon's game.

1. Special Teams Focus
Special teams dominated today's game, and the Hurricanes came out on the wrong end of that battle, scoring one power-play goal but giving up two to Chicago.
"We took a lot of penalties today, some deserved and some not deserved," head coach Mike Vellucci said. "In the second period, we were on our heels. I think we had to kill three or four in a row. Can't take that many penalties."
Chicago took advantage of their power play opportunities in the second period. The Blackhawks tied the game at one in the first 30 seconds on a carry-over 5-on-4 advantage before potting a rebound goal on another power play shortly after to take a 2-1 lead.
"You've got to have a good power play and good penalty kill," Vellucci said. "Tonight, they both let us down."
2. Gauthier Scores Again on the PP
The Hurricanes did get a power-play marker of their own, as Gauthier netted his second goal in as many games. On a 5-on-3 advantage, Andrei Svechnikov found Gauthier all alone in front, and he made no mistake.
"Just be ready in front of the net. Sometimes you don't know when the shot is going to come or when the rebound is going to be there," Gauthier said. "You've got to be quick with your hands and be ready."

"We had good movement there. It was a 5-on-3, so you should have good movement," Vellucci said. "He was the net-front guy and put it in the back of the net."
The Canes had additional opportunities on the man advantage down the stretch to work their way back into the game but couldn't connect.
"We had a lot of chances on the power play in the third period, too, and just didn't bury it. Their goalie made some saves," Vellucci said. "You've got to bury your chances when you get your opportunity."
3. Svechnikov Nets His First
Andrei Svechnikov is going to score a lot of goals in a Hurricanes sweater.
Today, he scored his first in game action to bring the Canes within a goal in the second period. Nicolas Roy won the offensive zone faceoff over to Aleksi Saarela, who hit a streaking Svechnikov in stride. The 18-year-old Russian winger snapped a quick shot that was in and out of the net before the goalie even had eyes on what happened. It was a well-executed play with an even better finish.

"He has a great shot. I didn't realize his release was that good and hard," Vellucci said. "I switched that line up there a little bit to try to get some offense. Nic Roy won the draw, and he made a great shot."
4. Another Tough Second Period
The Hurricanes were on their heels for much of the second period on Friday, but they escaped unscathed with their lead still intact. The middle frame played out in familiar fashion on Saturday, but the Blackhawks took advantage of their opportunities. Chicago netted three goals, including two on the power play, to hand the Canes their first deficit of the tournament.
"Right from the start, we have to get that 100 percent intensity and keep it going. Even if we get the lead - that's what happened today, and I think we kind of sat back a little bit," Gauthier said. "Next game we've got to get it back together and work hard."

5. Clean it Up
Moving the puck up the ice with efficiency has been an issue for the Hurricanes in this tournament. It was somewhat masked behind Friday's victory, but it reared its head again today. The Blackhawks' forecheck was suffocating the Canes' ability to get the puck out of their own zone, resulting in miscues and turnovers.
"We've got to get out of our own end. Turnovers are terrible. We had 17 last night in our own end, and I guarantee we probably had more than that tonight," Vellucci said. "We've got to get out of our end so we can play in the offensive zone."
"Forecheck hard, put pressure on their D," Gauthier said. "You've got to put pressure on them and create offense from that."
Up Next
After a day off on Sunday, the Hurricanes will square off with the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7 p.m. on Monday in the third and final game of round-robin play.

2018 NHL Prospect Tournament

| Friday, Sept. 7 | Hurricanes | Blues | 4-1 | | Saturday, Sept. 8 | Blackhawks | Hurricanes | 5-2 | | Monday, Sept. 10 | Hurricanes | Blue Jackets | 7:00 p.m. | | Tuesday, Sept. 11 | TBD | TBD | TBD | | DATE | VISITOR | HOME | TIME (ET) / RESULT | | --- | --- | --- | --- |