Peters stars in NHL debut

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Justin Peters made his NHL debut Saturday, and the Carolina Hurricanes goaltender wanted to remember it for all the right reasons.

The Hurricanes made sure that he will, topping the struggling New York Islanders 3-1 at Nassau Coliseum.

The Canes blocked shots. They protected their goaltender, winning many of the battles in their zone. They killed penalties, including two in the third period.

"It's really exciting," said Peters, who was blinking back tears after the game. "I've waited a long time for this opportunity. The boys played great in front of me. It just feels pretty special right now."

Peters said his parents and younger brother were in the stands.

"I was a little nervous," he admitted. "I tried to take the same approach I do with all my games, just focus on the fundamentals and keep it as simple as possible."

Peters helped himself with 34 saves, including a few sprawling ones, and by controlling rebounds. He also stoned the Isles' Blake Comeau on a breakaway early in the third period to protect a one-goal lead.

"It happened real quick," Peters said. "He made his move, and I tried to cover up the five-hole."

Peters quickly was recalled from the Albany River Rats on Friday when Cam Ward returned to Raleigh because of back problems. Manny Legace was in net Friday as the Canes rallied to beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3, but Peters got the nod for the second half of the back-to-back to end a four-game road trip.

"I'm so happy for him," Canes coach Paul Maurice said of Peters. "It's such a huge day for any player, but it's different for a goaltender because he's playing the whole game. The coach isn't working him in against the fourth line.

"He earned it. He made some really good saves. He didn't get lucky in the net.

"With his family upstairs and his brother, this is a huge day for him. He's worked hard for that chance."

Goals by Jussi Jokinen in the first period and Patrick Dwyer in the second had the Canes in front 2-1 going into the final period. Joni Pitkanen scored late for the Canes.

Peters gave up his first NHL goal to Frans Nielsen - shorthanded, no less - but appeared outwardly calm and in control of the crease.

It helped that the Islanders had been reeling, dropping seven straight to tumble to 13th in the Eastern Conference. The last four losses were on the road, beginning with a 4-1 thumping by the Canes at the RBC Center, and they were outscored 24-8 in the skid.

Jokinen's 20th goal of the season gave the Canes - and Peters - a 1-0 lead after the first. And it was an all-Finnish production.

Pitkanen, on the fly, carried the puck down the left wing and fired a shot at Isles goaltender Rick DiPietro. The puck was knocked around and then poked away by DiPietro, but Jokinen came crashing in to pound it in at 14:32. Jokinen extended his points streak to six games with goals in five of the six. The biggest: the game-winner with 3:17 left against the Sabres.

The Isles finally found a way to score in the second period - put a guy in the penalty box and strike shorthanded.

After Mark Streit rammed Eric Staal from behind to get a roughing penalty, the Islanders scored 13 seconds into the penalty kill. Peters left the net to play the puck to Pitkanen, but Comeau came away with it and set up Nielsen for a quick top-shelf shot at 9:25 of the second.

The Canes struck back on Dwyer's goal at 15:36 of the second. It was a hustle goal, with fast-moving Zach Boychuk centering the puck to Brandon Sutter, who took a whack in front while being flipped head over heels.

Dwyer finished it off as the three former River Rats - Boychuk also was called up Friday - gave Peters a lead to take into the third.

Hurricanes 3, Islanders 1

First--1, Carolina, Jokinen 20 (Pitkanen, Whitney), 14:32. Penalties--Park, NYI (interference), 9:37; Corvo, Car (holding), 11:23; Nielsen, NYI (hooking), 18:15; Samsonov, Car (hooking), 19:35.

Second--2, N.Y. Islanders, Nielsen 8 (Comeau), 9:25 (sh). 3, Carolina, Dwyer 5 (Sutter, Boychuk), 15:36. Penalties--Kostopoulos, Car (tripping), 1:09; MacDonald, NYI (tripping), 6:58; Streit, NYI (roughing), 9:12.

Third--4, Carolina, Pitkanen 3, 19:00. Penalties--Pitkanen, Car (high-sticking), 6:45; A.Ward, Car (slashing), 11:16.

Shots on Goal--Carolina 8-9-8--25. N.Y. Islanders 11-13-11--35. Power-play opportunities--Carolina 0 of 4; N.Y. Islanders 0 of 5. Goalies--Carolina, Peters 1-0-0 (35 shots-34 saves). N.Y. Islanders, DiPietro 2-5-0 (25-22).

Att.--12,709. T--2:20.

CAROLINA HURRICANES

GOALTENDING

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

GOALTENDING