Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho contributes in ways big and small

CALGARY – When Sebastian Aho He’s not doing the big things, he’s doing the little things to help the carolina hurricanes win games.

With an assist on Carolina’s first goal and a pivotal faceoff win that led to the team’s second goal, the center helped launch the Hurricanes’ 4-2 victory over the Calgary Flames Thursday at the Saddledome.

The Hurricanes (4-2-0) chilled Calgary by handing the Flames (5-1-1) their first loss in regulation this season.

Carolina improved to 3-1 on its current six-game road trip.

The ‘Canes left Alberta with a sweep after Aho’s game-winning goal with seven seconds left in overtime in a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

“You’ve got to get the big things from your best players,” Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said after Thursday’s game.

“I mean, they have to do the other things that everyone sees, but they also have to do the little things here. When he does that, we usually have a pretty good game.”

The 27-year-old Finn rode a Seth Jarvis power-play goal in the first period Thursday to extend his point streak to five games. He has two goals and five assists in that span.

Aho won a draw in the offensive zone (Carolina dominated that category for two periods with a 70 percent success rate) that led him to Jack RoslovicThe goal just 41 seconds into the second half.

He led all forwards in ice time at 20 minutes.

Before the game, Brind’Amour talked about managing Aho’s ice time given the forward’s utility skills.

“We tried not to overdo it with him,” the coach said. “Of all the superstars, he’s probably generally one of the lowest-minute players in that group, but he’s very valuable to us.

“Penalties, power play, overtime, we have to have him there. We’re lucky to have him because of the type of player he is. We expect a lot from him and we get a lot from him.”

Aho, selected by the Hurricanes in the second round (No. 35 overall) of the 2015 draft, enjoys the responsibility.

“As a player, you love that,” he said. “You want to be there in every situation and help the team win games in any way you can. I’ve been trusted to do that and try to make the most of it.

“I’m happy because we won, but I don’t think I played a good game personally. Personal goals go hand in hand with those of the team and when the team wins, it’s always great.”

Aho produced a career-high 89 points for the ‘Canes last season with 36 goals and 53 assists. He has scored 30 or more goals in five of his eight seasons in Carolina.

His 12th career overtime goal scored Tuesday against the Oilers extended his franchise record.

“He does everything,” his teammate said. Eric Robinsonwho scored his first goal of the season and his first with Carolina into an empty net in Calgary.

“He’s very lucky to be on the same team as him now and be able to appreciate how special a player he is.”

Aho signed an eight-year, $78 million contract extension in 2023, which could make him a Huracán for a total of 15 years.

“He’s consistent every night and that’s why he makes a lot of money,” his teammate said. Martin Necas.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.