Finntastic! European Hurricanes Have a Night in Win Over Kraken in Game 1 of Global Series
· Yahoo Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes opened the two-game NHL Global Series in Helsinki, Finland, with a bang. They took the win 4-1 over the Seattle Kraken – with Canes goals ironically all from Europeans – and even performed just the second ever away Storm Surge.
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With an early start time of 12:00 PM EST, the game fell on a day most Caniacs are busy in the office. Well, the Microsoft Teams outage may have been beneficial for those hockey fans to catch some plays…but, still, without further ado – here is your recap and clips!
The game started off strong for the Hurricanes, who outshot the Kraken 15-6 in those first twenty minutes – and outscored them 2-0.
Nikolaj Ehlers was the first one to score in the match, in front of his own friends and family who’d made the trek from Denmark to Finland to see him play. The goal was interestingly challenged for goalie interference, but was unsuccessful, leading to a Hurricanes power play. “It’s always nice when you score a goal,” he said during an intermission interview, “my nephew will be pretty psyched about that.”
Nikolaj Ehlers gets the Hurricanes on the board first in Helsinki! …And yes, the Canes' goal song (and power play music) were played
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) November 12, 2026
It was challenged by the Kraken for goalie interference due to Jackson Blake's position near the crease, but ultimately remained on the board… pic.twitter.com/lQkI05A77q
It wasn’t but just 1:06 later when Sebastian Aho scored on the man advantage, to the delight of Finnish fans. When the public announcer listed Aho as the goalscorer when play resumed, the crowds in the stands cheered pretty wildly – great stuff.
A whole lotta cheers from fans in the stands in Helsinki as the PA announced Sebastian Aho's goal 👀#CarolinaCulture#SeaKraken#NHLhttps://t.co/76qt7QXPHxpic.twitter.com/psrmbrnhyQ
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) November 12, 2026
In the second period, there was only one goal scored – but oh such a special one as defenseman Juuso Valimaki found the back of the net. The Tampere native had been put back into the roster, with Alexander Nikishin having been scratched – extending the lead just two hours out from his hometown. …We also had a pretty cool stoppage in play in which they had a groovy version of ‘Country Roads’ over the speakers.
We've got a blueliner goal as Juuso Valimaki extends the Hurricanes' lead 3-0 in his home country! 🥹#CarolinaCulture#SeaKraken#NHLpic.twitter.com/0wxPIWHwBx
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) November 12, 2026
As for the third period, the fourth goal was scored by Aho to make it four-to-nothing, but Frederick Gaudreau managed to get one back.
Sebastian Freakin' Aho! He gets another in front of the Finnish crowd to make it four to zilch!#CarolinaCulture#SeaKraken#NHLpic.twitter.com/5VaZ4wVtJx
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) November 12, 2026
With the clock winding down, the Hurricanes were doing everything to try and get Aho the puck for a chance at a hat-trick, but ultimately no more goals were scored.
When the final horn sounded, the team scooted along to give goaltender Brandon Bussi some love after he stopped 12 of 13, and then both teams lined up at their respective blue lines as the three stars of the game were announced.
Your Three Stars of the Game
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) November 12, 2026
⭐Sebastian Aho (G:2 [GWG])
⭐⭐Juuso Valimaki (G:1)
⭐⭐⭐Nikolaj Ehlers (G:1 | A:1)
With the Hurricanes' 4-1 win, the teams lined up for the announcement of the game's three stars. Former NHL player and co-founder of NORQAIN, Mark Streit, presented… pic.twitter.com/nU1L72TnGC
Respectfully waiting for the Kraken to leave the ice, the Hurricanes then moved to the middle of the rink and proceeded to perform just the second-ever Storm Surge away from home – the first having been after their Stanley Cup win in Las Vegas, Nevada last spring. You can watch their special Finnish Surge here!
After their 4-1 win in Helsinki, Finland, for Game 1 of the NHL Global Series, the Carolina Hurricanes treated the fans in the stands to just the second-ever away Storm Surge!
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) November 12, 2026
Sebastian Aho (and other Finns!) were thrown into the hug circle this time!#CarolinaCulture#SeaKraken… pic.twitter.com/cFHpVTuxcs
Game Notes
Taylor Hall played his 1,000th career NHL game During warmups, the Hurricanes donned black alternate Hall sweaters over their away gear, marked with a special patch celebrating him. He is the first NHL player to play their 1,000th game overseas.
With his primary assist on Aho’s game-winning goal, Jackson Blake extended his point streak to 10 games.
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