WASHINGTON—A rat falling out of the arena hallway ceiling during the Carolina Hurricanes’ warm-up game of soccer was just a precursor to a wacky afternoon of playoff hockey. It fittingly ended with an overtime goal from an unlikely source that sent the defending Stanley Cup champions into a wild celebration around the team’s most popular player. His fourth goal in his 151st playoff game was his third winner, and Orpik became just the 11th defenceman in NHL history with two post-season overtime goals. Perhaps it was an omen for things to come when the ball used in the Hurricanes’ pre-game soccer ritual knocked a rat down from the ceiling. Wilson and Jordan Staal traded third-period goals, and Mrazek stopped Carlson in the final seconds of regulation.

Source: thestar April 13, 2019 22:41 UTC