Never trust a game with matching numbers from the Brainrot meme...
In the Carolina Hurricanes' 67th game of the season, they suffered a blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, defeating them 5–1 in the first half of the Hurricanes' back-to-back Metropolitan Division sets. Nicolas Deslauriers dropped the gloves with Mathieu Ollivier, Seth Jarvis was a blood-thirsty threat who couldn't stay out of the box, Jakob Slavin ate a puck, and I'm still confused over the decision to allow a goal that was clear goaltender interference... just wait until you hear what the refs told Rod Brind'Amour about it.
The Hurricanes came out of the gate strong on Tuesday evening, but when Jarvis took a double minor to high-sticking Zach Werenski before five minutes were played, the momentum quickly shifted in the Blue Jackets' direction. The wildest part, this wasn't even the only double minor for a stick violation by Jarvis, as he did the same to Connor Garland later in the third period, albeit...a little worse. Garland went down the tunnel, leaving behind the red color of the snow.
He has already accumulated 13 penalty minutes since ending his 'good guy streak' in the last game.
By the time the second period started, the Blue Jackets were already ahead by two goals, and the Hurricanes were having nothing for them. And so, in classic Enforcer fashion, DesLauriers got down to business at the start of his storm as he dropped the gloves with the Blue Jacket's famous bruiser. As usual, after the fight, he would definitely give Olivier a helmet tap – his signature show of respect.
He did his job well, giving Carolina enough spark to score Andrei Svechnikov and cut Columbus' lead in half. However, the Hurricanes could only do so much in the scoring department.
Just refs talking refs stuff
With just over two and a half minutes remaining in the second frame, one of the most confusing events in recent sports occurred. Brandon Bussey was behind the net intent on clearing the puck when Danton Heinen came speeding up, and without thinking pushed his right skate into the back of the goaltender's left skate, causing him to slip. Alexander Nikishin managed to block Charlie Coyle's shot on the empty net, but Heinen came up and dumped the loose puck in, while Bussey attempted to jump in front and intercept it from next to the crease.
This was one of the clearest examples of goaltender interference – a penalty in the worst case, and a goal disallowed in the best case.
Rod Brind'Amour was unhappy when the call was not made and told the referee everything. Later, he spoke to FanDuel Sports Network's rinkside reporter Hannah Yates about the incident, explaining that the referee had told him Bussey had dived.
Given Henen's speed and movement and Bussey's reaction, I'm honestly not sure how they came to this conclusion. Additionally, it is very easy for goalies to fall after making contact with the skate due to the boot being much shorter than a standard skater's boot (which comes well above the ankle), thus providing significantly less support.
Alas, the goal stood and play continued.
In the third frame, Slavin was caught defending a two-on-one situation, going down to the ice to block a shot. Sadly, that obstacle was due to her face. Bleeding, he walked to the bench to get help and was able to stay in the game.
The Hurricanes travel to Lenovo Center on Wednesday night to face the Pittsburgh Penguins, who will have Evgeni Malkin back in the lineup.
