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Sebastian Aho’s overtime goal gives Hurricanes victory over Vegas Golden Knights

The game had gone to overtime Tuesday and tempers were growing short as the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights went at each other.

There was a scuffle behind the Carolina net that even Canes goalie Frederik Andersen left the crease to join. There was more pushing and a shove just after that before a faceoff in the Carolina zone as the Canes’ Andrei Svechnikov and Vegas’ William Carrier jostled each other and exchanged glares.

If it was a test of wills, the Hurricanes won it 4-3. Svechnikov soon picked off an Alex Pietrangelo pass near the Vegas blue line and found Sebastian Aho breaking to the net for the winner with 1:11 left in the OT at PNC Arena.

The Golden Knights, seeking an eighth consecutive road victory, had fought back from a two-goal deficit in the third period for a 3-3 tie to get to overtime. But Aho’s second goal of the game decided it for the Hurricanes (28-9-2).

“It was a great game, entertaining,” Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Good finish, obviously.”

A 7-4 loss Saturday to the New Jersey Devils was ugly and stung, but the Canes rebounded by beating one of the NHL’s best teams, one that leads the Pacific Division.

Vegas Golden Knights’ Keegan Kolesar (55) is tied up by Carolina Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal (11) as his shot is handled by goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Vegas Golden Knights’ Keegan Kolesar (55) is tied up by Carolina Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal (11) as his shot is handled by goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Rookie goalie Jack LaFontaine started the Devils game, but Andersen was back in net Tuesday and his usual calm self in winning his 22nd game. The Golden Knights (25-15-3) tied the score on goals by Brett Howden and then defenseman Nicolas Hague late in regulation, but Andersen made a save on a Nicolas Roy shot in overtime as the Golden Knights had a two-on-one..

The Canes had contributions from many. Nino Niederreiter and Vincent Trocheck scored rapid-fire goals in a 57-second span early in the second period for a 2-0 lead, and a power-play goal by Aho in the third made it 3-1 before the Golden Knights made a push. A night after a 1-0 road win over the Washington Capitals -- Robin Lehner in net -- the Golden Knights weren’t lacking late-game energy.

“A win is a win and we’ll take those two points for sure,” Aho said. “That’s a quality team over there. Obviously you don’t want to lose a two-goal lead in the third but it really didn’t change the way we played. We got right back at it and got a big win in the OT.”

Aho, who will join Andersen in the 2022 NHL All-Star Game, scored his 18th and 19th goals of the season. Niederreiter scored his 12th and Trocheck picked up his 10th and the fourth in the past five games.

Jordan Staal’s line, with Niederreiter and Jesper Fast on the wings, played a heavy game and Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s fourth line was active. The defensemen did their jobs and the Canes killed off all three Vegas power plays.

Svechnikov was all over the ice, threatening to score, getting a game-high six shots, playing with an edge, and his two assists extended his point streak to five games.

“In overtime I kept asking him ‘Are you all right’ and he kept giving me the nod,” Brind’Amour said.

Aho noted Svechnikov first won a battle for the puck with Carrier, then made a “great read” on the pass as Aho beat goalie Laurent Brossoit for the winner.

“He wanted that puck and he’s strong and fast,” Aho said. “He made a nice play and a great pass to me. I had to bury that one.”

The Canes had the better chances in a scoreless first period, Svechnikov hitting the post on a Carolina power play. Andersen faced just five shots and the Canes quickly cleared the defensive zone.

The Canes’ first goal came after Staal, appearing quicker and more active this game, and Fast put shots on net, Fast keeping the puck alive in front of Brossoit. Niederreiter, to Brossoit’s right, had an opening and scored at 4:44 of the period.

An alert play by Derek Stepan on a line change led to the second Canes score. The forward made a play on the puck as he went to the bench, getting it to Svechnikov, who set up Trocheck with a well-placed pass for the score.