Preseason Recap: Canes Top Cats In A Shootout

RALEIGH, N.C. - After falling in Sunday's preseason opener, the Carolina Hurricanes exacted a bit of revenge with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center on Tuesday.

GAME SUMMARY | BOX SCORE | PRESEASON STATS | BUY TICKETS

Following a spirited bout between Bryce Montgomery and Bokondji Imama before the game was three minutes old, the Panthers drew first blood on a Brady Tkachuk one-timer at 4:31. 

Bradly Nadeau mustered a response for the Canes, depositing his own rebound after deflecting Mike Reilly's wrister from range, but the deadlock lasted just 18 seconds as Florida captain Aleksander Barkov restored his team's lead heading into the break.

Carolina's confidence grew in the middle frame, culminating in a game-tying Justin Robidas snipe from the right circle at 11:25. The midway mark of the contest also saw both clubs swap their netminders, with Florida replacing Jacob Markstrom with Akira Schmid and Carolina moving from Brandon Bussi, who finished with 11 saves on 13 shots, to Cayden Primeau.

Despite each club receiving two power plays through the third period, neither found a decisive goal, necessitating a breakaway battle to decide a winner. Primeau built off of a perfect 20-for-20 showing in just under 35 minutes of action with saves on Florida's Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe, while Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum took care of business at the other end to seal Carolina's first win of the exhibition schedule.

Stats & Standouts

• After posting the AHL's fourth-best save percentage (.916) and seventh-best GAA (2.41) among qualified goalies last season, Cayden Primeau picked up right where he left off against a stout Panthers roster. Facing down 20 shots in the final 30 minutes plus overtime, during which time he and his club killed three penalties, the 27-year-old followed that up with back-to-back shootout stops to clinch the win.
• Make it two goals in two games for Bradly Nadeau, who led the team in goals (3) and points (5) across five contests during last year's exhibition slate. Same for Justin Robidas, whose second-period snipe marked Carolina's second equalizer on the night. He and Nadeau are responsible for four of the Canes' five goals in preseason play. 
• Nadeau led all skaters on both clubs with 25:10 TOI on Tuesday, following up a Sunday showing in which he logged 19:49 – tops among each team's forwards.
• The line of Nadeau, Felix Unger Sorum, and Charlie Cerrato has stuck together through preseason games and seemed to hit its stride on Tuesday, outchancing the Panthers 8-5 (per NaturalStatTrick).

They Said It...

Charlie Cerrato on the inexperienced roster pulling off a victory over a veteran Florida roster...

"We knew, being a bunch of young guys, that we were going out there against an awesome team and a bunch of guys that won back-to-back Cups. [We knew] it was going to be tough. That's what you want. That's what you want to see. Nothing's going to be perfect, but as long as you get better from the first game to the second to the third [that's what you want]. I think we did that. Obviously, getting a win tonight was a lot of fun."

Rod Brind’Amour describing Bradly Nadeau’s performance…

“He’s noticeable, and he’s a threat, right? We all know when it gets on a stick, he can rip it. That’s what I always talk about: ‘What do you do?’ You have to have something to hang your hat on. We know what this guy does. He can score, and he can shoot pucks, and he’s trying to add more to that. He’s also becoming a playmaker. He’s rounding out. And, again, he’s just a young kid for me. He’s still a couple of years away from being the player that he’s going to be.”

Cayden Primeau following a flawless relief appearance and win...

"I felt good. Obviously, there's things to work on. [I was] sloppy at points, but overall, it was good to get the rust out from the summer... It was good to get playing again."

What's Next?

The Canes are set to be off on Wednesday. They'll play their third exhibition contest on Thursday at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, home of the ECHL's Greensboro Gargoyles.

Next Game: Thursday, Sept. 24 | vs. Florida | 7:00 p.m. ET | Tickets | Watch: Hurricanes.com (In-Market), ESPN+ (Out-Of-Market)