Ben Case: Controversial Finish Dpesn't Deter Hurricanes From Winning Thrilling Opener The Hurricanes won in a shootout in exciting fashion in their season opener against the Wild. The sellout crowd in Raleigh was treated to a fast-paced affair and some late-game theatrics by the Wild to tie at it four as time expired. Before we get into discussing the game, I want to address the final goal and my real objection to it.

First?

My daughter and I were screaming about Staal's four cross-checks to the head too! Both because it wasn't called and because we wondered where that grit was his last four seasons with the Canes!

I thought the team was noticeably quicker, more skilled with the chips to get up ice quickly, and a better passing team than in years' past.

I also liked that it went to OT and ultimately a shoot-out. Good opportunity for the coaches to see how the team responds to the ups of scoring the go-ahead goal with under 2:00 to play and the lows of conceding the tying goal with .03 seconds. It was a WC team so I didn't care about giving up the extra point.

Excited for this season!

I like Aho and Rask together, solid offense no matter who plays with them.

Lets go Canes

Top 2 defensive pairings should be Slavin/Pesce and Hanafin/Faulk. Pesce and Hanafin did not look good together. Hanafin performed best last year when paired with Faulk.