The Carolina Hurricanes wasted no time turning T-Mobile Arena into their own personal launch pad in Game 4, blasting out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the first period and sending a jolt through the Vegas crowd. Logan Stankoven struck early, then did it again to cap the opening surge, while coach Rod Brind’Amour turned to Brandon Bussi in net for the start. Robert Willett’s images for the Raleigh News & Observer capture the chaos of that frantic first period and the sea of traveling Canes fans who invaded Las Vegas.
As detailed by the Raleigh News & Observer, Brind’Amour tapped Bussi after the goalie came on in relief of Frederik Andersen late in Game 3, and the move paid off early with Carolina sitting on a 3-1 cushion at the first intermission. The paper’s photo gallery zeroes in on Stankoven’s finishes and a key first-period sequence that shows Taylor Hall getting tripped by Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore.
Goalie Call And Early Returns
According to the Associated Press, Andersen did not dress for Game 4, which cleared the crease for Bussi to get the nod. It was a twist that added even more drama to what was already a wild series. AP noted that the team offered no public explanation for Andersen’s absence, a silence that only sharpened the spotlight on Bussi’s early work between the pipes.
Fast Start, Big Numbers
NHL.com tracked that opening burst in its live blog, highlighting how Stankoven’s playoff scoring punch helped fuel a run of three quick Hurricanes goals. The site also pointed out Bussi’s poise, including a slick pass he whipped behind the net, as the action swung rapidly and kept both fan bases fully locked in.
As shown in the Raleigh News & Observer gallery, Willett’s photos go beyond the box score. His shots pick up details like a fan who made the trip from Elon, N.C., taking in the pregame skate, and entire sections packed with red and white that turned a Vegas night into a Carolina crowd scene. The images underline how a run of early goals and grinding defense can make even a glitzy neutral rink feel a lot like home ice.
What’s Next
The series still sits on a knife’s edge. A Carolina win in Game 4 would knot the best-of-seven and send momentum swinging back toward Raleigh, while a Vegas victory would push the Golden Knights to the brink of finishing things off. As NHL.com notes on its schedule, the matchup shifts back to Carolina for Game 5 on Thursday, when the next chapter of this roller-coaster series will play out on home ice.
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