Imagine a hockey game where a single goal becomes the turning point, not just for the match but for a player's entire season. That’s exactly what happened on January 9, 2026, when Jalen Chatfield’s first goal of the season broke a tie and lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to a 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: this win also marked the end of goalie Frederik Andersen’s nine-game losing streak, a personal struggle that had fans holding their breath.
Playing in his 300th career game, Chatfield, a defenseman, didn’t just score the game-winning goal—he also added an assist, proving his versatility on the ice. The Hurricanes’ second period was nothing short of explosive, with three goals that completely shifted the momentum. Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall each contributed a goal and an assist, while Mark Jankowski and Jackson Blake rounded out the scoring. For Andersen, this was his first win since November 6, a much-needed victory after a winless stretch of 0-7-2.
On the other side, the Ducks’ struggles continued, extending their losing streak to eight games (0-7-1). Ryan Poehling and Mikael Granlund found the net for Anaheim, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the surging Hurricanes. Goalie Ville Husso faced a barrage of shots, stopping 30 of Carolina’s attempts.
And this is the part most people miss: the Ducks actually held leads in both the first and second periods. Poehling opened the scoring late in the first, and Granlund briefly gave Anaheim a 2-1 lead in the second. But the Hurricanes’ relentless offense, outshooting the Ducks 18-3 in the second period alone, proved too much to handle.
Stankoven’s goal, his third in as many games, tied the score, setting the stage for Chatfield’s heroics. Blake and Hall sealed the deal in the third period, with Hall’s empty-netter putting the game out of reach.
But here’s the controversial part: could the Ducks’ loss be attributed to the absence of Troy Terry, their co-leading scorer with 42 points, who missed his first game of the season due to injury? Or was it simply a matter of the Hurricanes’ depth and determination shining through?
Looking ahead, the Ducks will aim to end their road trip on a high note in Buffalo on Saturday, while the Hurricanes host the Seattle Kraken the same day.
What do you think? Was this game a turning point for the Hurricanes, or just another setback for the struggling Ducks? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
