The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in their pre-season opener Tuesday night at Amalie Arena.
Anttoni Honka and Aleksi Heimosalmi scored for Carolina while Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 22 of 23.
After the game, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour along with Skyler Brind’Amour spoke with the media on what it was like to play for/coach each other. Here’s what they had to say:
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Rod Brind’Amour
On having the opportunity to coach his son, Skyler: I didn’t really think about it that much. I mean, yeah. It’s a special moment we’ll look back on some day, I’m sure, but in the heat of it, he’s just trying to prove himself and we’re just trying to get through a day here. But it was a nice moment.
On Skyler having won the NCAA Championship with Quinnipiac the last time he was here: For him, that’s for sure. I was in here too when it happened. so that was probably a better moment to share then this one, I’ll tell you that.
On Skyler being strong in the faceoff dot much like he was: Listen, that’s the kind of player he is. Defensively responsible. Big guy, gets it the way. That’s kind of his game. He’s trying to round out a little bit, but he’s still just trying to find his way at obviously this level, but even that next level underneath. Good opportunity for him.
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Skyler Brind’Amour
On having the opportunity to play for his head: It was good. I didn’t think much of it, to be honest, once the game started. I was just playing hockey and trying to make the most of the opportunity. I had a lot of fun playing. Always cool to put on an NHL sweater especially one from my hometown.
On having fond memories in Amalie Arena: A couple of us, [Yaniv Perets] and [Charles-Alexis Legault] were joking about it before the game. Definitely like this building. Obviously it’s been good to us so far.
On if today will be a memory he looks back on fondly some day: Yeah, I mean, maybe. It’s definitely one of those things were in the middle of camp, you’re obviously just trying to do your best and you’re not too worried about the outside noise. Maybe you’ll look back one day and think it was pretty cool, but right now, I’m just trying to focus on playing good hockey.
On faceoffs: I’m sure he’ll have a couple of clips for me at the end when I lost a few in a row. I know those are coming, but obviously it’s a different level taking faceoffs out here against some of those bigger, stronger NHL guys. It’s a good learning experience.
On the key to winning faceoffs: I think it’s just timing. You have to read the refs a little bit and when you’re going against guys that are that good at winning draws… Other games, you can kind of win a few before you get your timing right, but here you get cleaned pretty easily. Just took me a few to get what I wanted to do with going down first and things like that. A couple little keys there and then I got my timing down for a stretch. Again, you always trying to adjust.
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