Hurricanes Edge Islanders 5-3 as Bussi Stifles Long Island Power Play
The defending champions capitalized on New York's 0-for-4 man advantage, while the team's new fisherman-themed jerseys debuted in a frustrating loss.
By Elena Greco ·
The New York Islanders dropped their second consecutive regulation game Thursday night, falling 5-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena.
The defeat was defined by a stalled offensive unit that failed to convert any of its four power-play opportunities, resulting in only two shots on goal. The team is now 1-for-18 on the man advantage over its last five contests, a 5.5 percent conversion rate that has dropped its season total to 7-for-48.
Pete DeBoer, the Islanders' head coach, identified the special teams failure as the primary factor in the result. He noted that the pressure required to execute under such conditions is the most difficult aspect of the sport.
"We've got to get a power-play goal," DeBoer said. "Tonight that probably changes the game if we find a way to stick one in. They put you under a lot of pressure there and you have to execute and make a play under pressure."
The Islanders tied the score twice but could not sustain momentum. Logan Stankoven scored on the game's first shot, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi extended the lead to 2-0 in the first period. Mitchell Chaffe cut the deficit to 2-1 with a deflection, but Brayden Schenn's wraparound goal tied it at 5:44 of the second period.
Rookie Victor Eklund equalized again at 17:13 of the second period with a rising one-timer. Andrei Svechnikov restored the Hurricanes' lead before William Carrier backhanded in a rebound for the winner at 14:52 of the third. Jalen Chatfield added an empty-net goal to seal the victory.
Brandon Bussi, a Sound Beach native and the Hurricanes' goaltender, stopped 24 shots. The 28-year-old was making his second start at UBS Arena, a venue where he previously made 28 saves in a 2-1 win during last season's finale. Bussi had allowed five goals in his previous start in Edmonton on October 22.
"I'm forever grateful," Bussi said of the opportunity. "It's hard to play in this league, right? You have to be at your best every night, and even when you are at your best, it's not going to go well for you sometimes."
The Islanders wore their new white alternate jerseys featuring a redesigned fisherman logo for the first time. The game concluded with a physical altercation after Jusso Valimaki fired a slap shot at the final buzzer, resulting in 10-minute misconducts for both Valimaki and Schenn.
