Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) scores against San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer (47) during the third period on Fri Oct 14, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Friday, October 14, 2022

Sebastian Aho’s goal with less than two minutes remaining in the third period lifted the Carolina Hurricanes past the San Jose Sharks 2-1 Friday at SAP Center.

The Hurricanes are undefeated in their first two games of the NHL season, while San Jose is 0-3. This was the first game of a five-game road trip for Carolina, all of them against Pacific Division opponents.

Aho scored his first goal of the season at 18:02 of the third period, with Brett Pesce and Teuvo Teravainen each collecting their first assists. Aho worked his way to the slot and converted a re-direct off his skate from Pesce’s shot from the point.

The Hurricanes tied the game at 19:37 of the second period on Martin Necas’s second goal of the season, assisted by Andrei Svechnikov.

Evgeny Svechnikov opened the scoring for San Jose with his first goal of the season and his first as a Shark, coming at 17:48 of the first period. Jaycob Megna and Erik Karlsson had the assists.

James Reimer stopped 33 of 35 shots he faced in the Sharks’ goal, while Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta faced 19 shots, with 18 saves.

San Jose had 11 penalty minutes, including five by Noah Gregor for fighting with the Hurricanes’ Stefan Noesen in the third period. Noesen also received a 5-minute visit to the penalty box.

The other Sharks penalties were drawn by Radim Simek (tripping, closing hand on the puck) and Luke Kunin (hooking).

Former Shark Brent Burns was a plus-1 in 23 minutes of ice time. Burns spent the previous 11 seasons with San Jose.

The Sharks’ quest for their first win continues Saturday night when they host the winless Chicago Blackhawks. Opening faceoff at SAP Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.