Hurricanes Rally Past Golden Knights in Game 2 After Tortorella’s Failed Challenge]

The Vegas Golden Knights fell to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, with head coach John Tortorella’s controversial challenge playing a pivotal role in the decisive moment.

Trailing 2-0 late in the third period, Carolina clawed back into the game before Tortorella’s decision to challenge an Ivan Barbashev wraparound goal—officially waved off for goalie interference—led to the Hurricanes’ game-winning advantage.

With the score tied 2-2 and five minutes remaining in regulation, Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen dove to cover a Barbashev attempt that appeared to trickle in near the far post. Referee Jean Hebert immediately signaled no goal, ruling that Barbashev interfered with Andersen’s ability to freeze the puck. Despite the seemingly inconclusive evidence, Tortorella pursued the challenge, resulting in a delay of game penalty that handed Carolina a power play. Jordan Staal capitalized 57 seconds later to give the Hurricanes their first lead at 3-2.

“I’d challenge it 10 out of 10 times,” Tortorella asserted postgame. “He waived it off immediately… the Vegas player went after the puck and interfered with the goalie.”

Mark Stone briefly salvaged hope for Vegas with a 6-on-5 goal at 1:21 remaining, forcing overtime. However, Carolina secured the victory at 3:56 of the extra frame on Seth Jarvis’s one-timer.

The Hurricanes became the first team since the 1944 Montreal Canadiens to overcome a multi-goal deficit in the final 10 minutes of regulation to win a Stanley Cup Final game. Carolina trailed 2-0 with 9:40 remaining when Logan Stankoven scored.

The loss was compounded by a serious injury to Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb, who was struck in the face by Nikko Ahlers’s 87 mph slapshot in the first period. The franchise leader in blocked shots (1,417) and hits (1,469) was stretchered off and transported to the hospital but later flew home with the team.

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