Peters Gets First Career Win in NHL Debut | IXGAMES

Justin Peters’ game last Saturday as a goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes was doubly worth remembering. Not only was it his NHL debut but also his first career win as well. The Canes beat the New York Islanders 3-1 at their match in the Nassau Coliseum. Peters revealed that he was on the verge of tears after the game. He remarked how his team played great and that, having waited a long time for this opportunity, he can’t stop feeling special at that moment. As his parents and younger brother were in the stands, he admitted how nervous he felt. He brushed that aside and just did what he usually does in all his games – focus on the fundamentals and keep things as simple as possible. Team effort for the Canes Working as a team, the Canes made sure that their goaltender is well-protected, as they blocked shots and won many of the battles in their zone.  The rookie goaltender didn’t do badly himself by controlling rebounds and having 34 saves. A highlight was when he was able to block the Isles’ Blake Comeau early in the third period in order to protect their one-goal lead. Canes coach Paul Maurice was all praises for his young goaltender. The coach said that any game is a huge day for all players but there’s special pressure on the goaltender as he’s playing the whole game. Maurice further remarked that Peters worked hard and made really good saves to earn his wins and didn’t just get lucky in the net. The Canes were leading 2-1, with goals from Jussi Jokinen in the first period and Patrick Dwyer in the final period. Joni Pitkanen made some late scores for the Canes as well. It was Jokinen’s goal that gave the Canes a 1-0 lead after the first. It was incidentally Jokinen’s 20th goal for the season as well. The tough team play The Canes were undoubtedly relentless. Pitkanen carried the puck on the left wing then fired a shot at Isles’ goaltender Rick DiPietro. Di Pietro was able to knock the puck out, but Jokinen quickly retaliated and pounded it in. Jokinen has been on a points streak by making goals in five out of six games. The Isles were able to score in the second period by putting a guy in the penalty box and striking shorthanded. They scored 13 seconds into the penalty kill after Mark Streit rammed Eric Staal from behind. Peters then handed the puck to Pitkanen. However it was Comeau who came away with it, then setting up Nielsen for a top-shelf shot. It has been a difficult time for the Islanders as they have been reeling from their last four losses on the road.