Cup Winners on Losing Streak
Carolina Hurricanes go 0 for 3 with Loss Against Washington Capitals
Alexander Semin had a hat trick and Alexander Ovechkin scored two third period goals including the game winner to defeat the Stanley Cup defenders.
All it took was two Alexanders to take down the once-mighty Stanley Cup champions. Since winning the cup, the Carolina Hurricanes this season have lost their first three games. The Southeastern Conference bottom feeders of last season, the Washington Capitals, had little trouble beating them 5-2 tonight.
Semin opened up the goal scoring midway through the first period, throwing a slap shot that beat a defenseman and Carolina goaltender Cam Ward.
Carolina’s Andrew Ladd tied the score less than 2 minutes into the second period with a power play goal. Less than four minutes later, Carolina's Niclas Wallin put in a hard slap shot that seemed to take Capitals goaltender Olaf Kolzig by surprise. Unfortunately for the Carolina Hurricanes, that’s all they had in goals. Then, the Alex and Alex show really began.
Alexander Semin scored his second goal of the night four minutes later when he put in a nice snap shot over Ward’s left shoulder.
Almost half way through the 3rd period, Washington Capital golden boy Alexander Ovechkin decided to break into the goal scorer's column this season and fired a wrister while coming down the right side. The powerful shot took Ward by surprise and the puck found its way into the back of the net.
Five minutes later, Ovechkin deflected Capitals' Brian Pothier’s shot past Cam Ward.
Semin’s 3rd goal of the hat trick came with less than three minutes left in regulation with a nice tip. Brian Pothier sent a pass across to Semin, who was sitting there wide open. Hats flew down to the ice while Ovechkin and the rest of the on-ice Capitals congratulated Semin for his first NHL hat trick.
Carolina meanwhile held their heads low trying to figure out what they need to do to win a game this season.
Other results so far tonight:
- Montreal Canadiens beat Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-2
- Buffalo Sabres beat Ottawa Senators, 4-3
- New York Rangers beat Philadelphia Flyers, 5-4
- Atlanta Thrashers beat Florida Panthers, 6-0
- Minnesota Wild beat Nasheville Predators, 6-5
- Dallas Stars beat New Jersey Devils, 3-1
- Detroit Red Wings beat Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-0
- Boston Bruins beat Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-2
- Columbus Blue Jackets beat Chicago Blackhawks, 5-4
The copyright of the article Cup Winners on Losing Streak in Ice Hockey is owned by Mike Carr. Permission to republish Cup Winners on Losing Streak must be granted by the author in writing.
