Oilers shut out by Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes vs Edmonton Oilers 2-0 (0-0, 0-0, 2-0)

Edmonton took on the struggling Hurricanes making just one line change, putting Jonas Hiller in net to start the game. Carolina were six points outside the playoff cut in the Eastern Conference with a 30-34-4 record.

There was an almost uncanny difference in the matchup between these two teams compared to the Battle of Alberta that took place two nights ago - this being a far more open, action-filled tilt. Jussi Jokinen and Sergei Samsonov's speed created trouble for the home team throughout the first, but clever linematching allowed Visnovsky and Babchuk to contain the threat following a few dangerous shifts. Andrew Cogliano went down with an injury late in the period and could not return.

In the tooth-and-nail fight that developed in the second, both Hiller and Ward kept their teams in the game with admirable performances. The edge-of-the-seat game effectively silenced the crowd who were too busy biting their nails to make any signifcant noise but sounds of anticipation and dismay as one shot after another was turned away at both ends.

The game was finally graced with a goal when former Oilers hero Bill Guerin scored within a minute of the third period opening face off. Guerin added to that on a power play three minutes later and the Oilers looked stunned, having followed their opponents so closely in two periods they now looked to be left behind. Despite a few great chances for Hemsky and Penner late on, Cam Ward completed his mission and left Edmonton with a shut out.

Post game: "We should be able to win games like this, but Cam Ward was absolutely tremendous" said an impressed Edmonton GM of the loss. Eric Tangradi had a great game, as did Penner, but the Oilers again lacked that little extra to bust open a game that they could have taken.

Scoreboard
1st Period:
-
2nd Period:
-
3rd Period:
CAR - Guerin (Ruutu, Gorges)
CAR - Guerin (Staal, Pitkänen) PP

Injuries/Misconducts/Etc.
INJ - Andrew Cogliano (bruised ankle, out a few days)

Lines:
Penner - Gagner - Hemsky
Tangradi - Laich - Brule
Axelsson - Cogliano - Moore
Moreau - Falardeau - O'Marra

Babchuk - Visnovsky
Smid - Gilbert
Grebeshkov - Petry

Hiller
(Khabibulin)