Jordan Staal of Thunder Bay, Ontario and Dougie Hamilton of Toronto, Ontario have helped the Carolina Hurricanes force a seventh and deciding game in their first round playoff series against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. This past Monday in game six of the Eastern Conference first round playoff series, Staal and Hamilton each had one goal and one assist for two points as Carolina beat Washington 5-2.
Staal scored the game winning goal for the Hurricanes at 3:51 of the third period from Brock McGinn of Fergus, Ontario and Justin Faulk. The goal broke a 2-2 tie at the time and gave Carolina a 3-2 lead. Hamilton’s goal came with 3:06 left in the third period from Jordan Martinook of Brandon, Manitoba.
Hamilton’s assist came on Carolina’s opening goal of the game by Warren Foegele of Markham, Ontario at 10:35 of the first period. Foegele’s goal tied the game at one after Brett Connolly of Campbell River, British Columbia opened the scoring for Washington at 5:06 of the first period. Staal then picked up an assist on the 4-2 Hurricanes goal at 11:58 of the third period. Justin Williams of Cobourg, Ontario scored that key insurance goal by Carolina.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars beat the Nashville Predators 2-1 in overtime. They will now play the St. Louis Blues in the second round.
