June 9 (UPI) — Jordan Staal fell and slid on the ice as he watched his shot beat Carter Hart for what proved to be a gritty game-winning goal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
The score, which occurred with 13:28 remaining, was just the latest exploit in a hectic series. It also was Staal’s second goal in the 5-3 triumph, which helped the Hurricanes tie the best-of-seven-game series 2-2.
Fellow Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers logged a goal and two assists. Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi, who drew his first career playoff start, made 18 saves.
“A lot of kids grow up and they dream about doing something like this,” Bussi said on the ABC broadcast. “I’m honored to have the opportunity.
“It was a great effort by us tonight. Excited to get back to Raleigh, N.C.”
The Hurricanes got off to a hot start once again in the first period, outshooting the Golden Knights 14-6 in the first period. Logan Staknoven beat Hart for first blood just 66 seconds into the game. Fellow forward Jackson Blake doubled the Hurricanes’ lead 2:22 later.
Golden Knights forward Mark Stone sliced the deficit to one about four minutes later. Staal responded with a power-play goal with 7:12 remaining in the opening frame.
But like in the previous three games of the series, the Golden Knights roared in the second period, with forwards William Karlsson and Brett Howden beating Bussi to tie the score.
Staal’s go-ahead sequence started when teammate Seth Jarvis intercepted a pass from Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore right in front of the Vegas net. Jarvis had his shot denied, but the puck bounced around.
Ehlers eventually collected the puck and sent a pass into the slot. Staal poked the puck away from defenders and flicked it into the air as he fell on the frozen floor of T-Mobile Arena. The shot managed to soar just out of Hart’s reach for a 4-3 advantage.
“It was hectic like the series has been,” Bussi said of Staal’s goal. “He’s a big-time player. He leads us every day and plays the right way and is rewarded.”
Ehlers scored an empty netter with 55 seconds remaining to clinch the victory. The Hurricanes outshot the Golden Knights 28-21. The Golden Knights totaled 23 giveaways, compared to the Hurricanes’ 15.
Karlsson logged a goal and assist in the loss. Hart made 23 saves.
Game 4 marked the first time in Stanley Cup Final history that four games included a team rallying from multiple goals down to tie the game. It also marked the first time in NHL history that both teams scored three or more goals in each of the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final.
The Hurricanes will host the Golden Knights in Game 5 at 8 p.m. EDT Thursday in Raleigh, N.C. Game 6 will be Sunday in Las Vegas. Game 7, if necessary, will be June 17 in Raleigh.
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