It was the Bradly Nadeau show Tuesday night in Raleigh.
The Carolina Hurricanes couldn’t have asked for a better ending to the game in which they debuted their new broadcasting station, Hurricanes Hockey Network.
Once again, the Hurricanes faced a Florida Panthers team heavy on every-night-players. For Carolina, they only had five NHL veterans in the lineup, and only two who are beyond the general depth in Brandon Bussi and Mark Jankowski.
As the game began – preceded with a rare preseason pregame show to get the broadcast team in the swing of the ins and outs of the new network – the Hurricanes were quick to get down to business on the physical side of the game.
Just two and a half minutes into the game, Carolina defenseman Bryce Montgomery dropped the gloves with Florida forward Bokondji Imama, with the two having a rather lengthy dust-up at center ice before making their ways to the box for five minutes.
Nonetheless, the Hurricanes were tested early thanks to a goal from Brady Tkachuk before even five minutes had passed in the first period. A few minutes later, Bradly Nadeau got things started for Carolina, but just 18 seconds after his goal, Aleksander Barkov restored Florida’s lead.
Frankly, Nadeau played with an insatiable hunger throughout the full game, but during a two-man advantage in the waning moments of the first period, he let loose three high-quality one-timers.
As the second frame commenced, the broadcast booth had a special guest in Logan Stankoven, who provided some commentary alongside Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy for the first few minutes – sure to give some analysis on what he’s seen from Nadeau.
“I think he’s got such a sneaky release…goaltenders don’t know where he’s gonna shoot, and it’s something not many players have”
Logan Stankoven shared his thoughts on Bradly Nadeau’s play style and the Hurricanes’ culture for prospects…oh, and a little scrum broke out… pic.twitter.com/KR6DWX060S
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) September 23, 2026
Midway through the game, head coach Rod Brind’Amour made the goalie switch, letting Cayden Primeau get some ice time and giving Brandon Bussi a break. Furthermore, Florida did the same, with Jakub Markstrom swapping out for Akira Schmid.
Soon after the ol’ switch-a-roo, Justin Robidas tied the game.
There ultimately wasn’t another goal until the end of regulation, but there was plenty of mayhem nonetheless. Notably, Carolina’s mascot – Stormy. Amidst a board battle, Raleigh’s favorite Ice Hog shook his booty in an attempt to distract the other team. It didn’t really work, but it did have the broadcast crew losing it.
In the third period, Matthew Tkachuk saw limited ice-time, while Brady T was absent from the bench entirely. Per Florida Hockey Now’s Max Baumgartner, Paul Maurice stated that his absence was merely precautionary – not an injury, but something that ‘just tightened up on him’.
Furthermore, Nicolas Deslaurier also threw the body around a bit. There wasn’t a fight, but there was certainly a fair bit of chirping after he and Niko Mikkola exchanged checks.
Meanwhile, not long after, a little mix between Josiah Slavin and Sam Reinhart led to the latter putting a dangerous two-handed slash on the former, shockingly (or not shockingly) going without a penalty.
Eventually, regulation ended with the game tied at 2-2, and overtime proceeded to go scoreless, as well.
Going into the shootout, Carolina sent out Jankowski first, but he ultimately came up without a goal. Sam Bennett was up next, and also failed to find twine.
Then came Bradly Nadeau, managing a beautiful backhander right through on the stick-side of Schmid. It was ultimately the game-winning goal, settling the score at 3-2, but the Hurricanes weren’t done yet. With Carter Verhaeghe unable to get past Primeau on his attempt, Felix Unger Sorum was up for his try, in which he also scored with a backhand goal, sealing the deal and treating Caniacs to a win in their first game back at home ice since the postseason.
After the goalie hugs and celebration, sans the Storm Surge, Chicago Wolves captain Josiah Slavin went to center ice and knelt down to pray – continuing a special tradition he has had since his days in the USHL.
Takeaways From the Hurricanes Preseason Series Versus the Panthers
Much like Sunday’s game, Tuesday’s duel with the Panthers showed something very similar in the resilience of the Hurricanes’ prospects and depth players. Despite losing ground early, they were able to keep the pace of their game and withstand the pressure of facing such a prestigious opponent – an opponent who has been known for being the Hurricanes’ kryptonite. It leaves the question whether what we are seeing is a very confident young team hoping to make a strong impression, or a Panthers team that may no longer be the juggernaut it once was…or perhaps both.
During his second intermission interview, shortly after his game-tying goal, Robidas spoke on the matchup.
“Obviously, they’re a good team, got a lot of good players – and we got a lot to prove, so we’re just trying to work hard out there.”
“Obviously, they’re a good team, got a lot of good players–and we got a lot to prove, so we’re just trying to work hard out there, and it’s been good so far”
Justin Robidas, who got the game-tying goal, discussed the game so far in the second intermission interview… pic.twitter.com/Fv4hWgjGNv
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) September 23, 2026
Whatever it is, I get the feeling that the Hurricanes’ opening night next Tuesday – which will be against the Panthers – may be a very interesting game to watch.
The Hurricanes’ next preseason game will be Thursday night versus the Nashville Predators at 7:00 PM EDT, and will be hosted in Greensboro’s First Horizon Coliseum.
Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on Sportsnaut. Painting stories with … More about Rachel Barkley