Hurricanes Overwhelm Senators with Rookie Goalie Bussi’s Help
In a decisive matchup, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1, largely thanks to the exceptional performance of rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi. The game took place on Saturday and showcased Bussi’s skills as he secured his 19th career win in just 23 games.
Hurricanes Dominate Early
The game began with a special tribute to Jacques Martin, the former head coach of the Senators, marking his induction into their Ring of Honour. Martin led Ottawa from 1996 to 2004 and received the Jack Adams Award in the 1998-99 season.
From the start, the Hurricanes established control. Just four minutes into the game, Jalen Chatfield executed a cross-ice pass to Mark Jankowski. Jankowski then assisted William Carrier, who easily tapped in the first goal.
Early Scoring Surge
Two minutes later, Seth Jarvis scored with a precise shot from the faceoff circle to increase the lead to 2-0. Taylor Hall completed a dominant opening period by scoring the third goal, slipping the puck through James Reimer’s five-hole. By the end of the first period, the Hurricanes were comfortably ahead 3-0.
Second Period Power Play
The Senators faced additional challenges early in the second period. A tripping penalty against Claude Giroux, along with a high-sticking call against Jake Sanderson, left Ottawa short-handed with a 5-on-3 disadvantage. The Hurricanes capitalized on this opportunity shortly thereafter.
Andrei Svechnikov sent the puck into the Senators’ crease, where it deflected off Tyler Kleven’s skate, resulting in a goal that put the Hurricanes up 4-0. Ottawa finally scored when Tim Stützle found the back of the net with a wrist shot, but this would be their only goal of the night.
Bussi’s Stellar Performance
- Bussi recorded 35 saves in total, including 13 in the third period.
- Despite being outshot 36-19 by the Senators, the Hurricanes’ defense held strong.
- Ottawa struggled to recover from the early deficit created by their opponents.
Looking Ahead
This victory allowed the Hurricanes to ascend to the top of the NHL’s Eastern Conference standings. The Hurricanes will next face the Utah Mammoth on Thursday, while the Senators prepare for a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.
As the Senators aim to address their goaltending issues, the focus will be on solidifying their performance for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
