'Frustrated' Hurricanes lament missed calls in Game 3 loss - ESPN

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Carolina Hurricanes are on the ropes after dropping Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Florida Panthers, 1-0, on Monday.

It was a sensational 32-save performance from Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky — in the first postseason shutout of his career — that did most of the damage in Carolina's loss, putting the Hurricanes in a 3-0 hole. Still, the defeat didn't come without some controversy.

The Hurricanes trailed 1-0 late in the third period when forward Sam Reinhart — who scored the game's only goal on a second-period power play — appeared to high-stick Carolina defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere in the face. That was right before Panthers defenseman Marc Staal put a puck in Carolina's empty net that would have given the Panthers a 2-0 lead with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.

Upon review, it was judged that a whistle blew before Staal's shot entered the net, although there was no penalty assessed on Reinhart for the play on Gostisbehere. Play continued, and Carolina ultimately recorded its third straight loss.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour expressed after the game he wasn't thrilled with the lack of a call going in Carolina's favor.

«It's tough for me. I could go on all day on that,» he said. «We got (called for) three knick-knack penalties on sticks to the hand.… especially when they stop the play (after Gostisbehere was hit). I don't understand that. You stop it because you saw a high stick. Why are you stopping the play then? I don't know. No explanation, just move on.»

That's all the Hurricanes can do. Brind'Amour lamented how Carolina didn't make good on its lone power-play try in the game, and on its struggles scoring on Bobrovsky in the series. Through three