A late goal by the Nashville Predators decided a close match against the Carolina Hurricanes prospects on Saturday at the Prospects Showcase in Wesley Chapel, Florida. The Predators scored in the final minute of regulation to secure a 3-2 win over Carolina.
The game opened with physical play from both teams. The Hurricanes took the lead late in the first period with a power play goal by Dominik Badinka. This was one of two power play goals for Carolina during the afternoon.
Nashville managed to score against goaltender Ruslan Khazheyev before Bradly Nadeau responded with another goal for Carolina, giving them a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. However, Nashville came back with two goals in the final frame to claim victory.
With this result, Carolina’s record at the tournament stands at 0-1-1.
2025 seventh-round draft pick Filip Ekberg did not play due to precautionary reasons. As a result, Carolina played with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, including five right-handed defensemen. Aleksi Heimosalmi and Joel Nystrom played on their off-sides for a second consecutive day and sometimes paired up with invitees less familiar with team systems. Nystrom also led the first power play unit while Heimosalmi and Badinka anchored the second group.
Goaltender Ruslan Khazheyev has shown progress during his time at the tournament. At 20 years old and listed at 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds, he already has NHL size but continues to develop his skills after playing last season in North America for Chicago (AHL). Alongside Semyon Frolov and Egor Velmakin, Khazheyev is part of a promising group of goaltending prospects for Carolina.
The Hurricanes prospects will participate in a team building event on Sunday before returning to action Monday at 3 p.m., facing off against host team Tampa Bay Lightning. The game will be available to watch for free on Hurricanes.com.
“Shortly after Nashville tied it up at 1-1, the went to the power play and needed just four seconds to jump back in front.”
“Oops, he did it again!
Joel Nyström went to the backhand soft chip in today’s shootout, and once more, it cashed.”
