Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s comment after Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final on Tuesday, May 20, didn’t sit well with hockey fans. The Hurricanes lost 5-2 to the Florida Panthers, and Brind’Amour’s positive spin in the postgame press conference drew criticism on social media.
Hockey Fans Slam Rod Brind’Amour for His ‘Back and Forth’ Comment
Speaking with reporters after the loss, the Carolina coach said the game was more even than the final score showed.
“They got the two power-play goals, I think that’s really the difference in the game,” Brind’Amour said. “You’ve got to give them credit. They get a chance, it’s in the net. I didn’t hate our game tonight. It’s going to be hard, it’s going to go back and forth.”
Hockey fans, especially Hurricanes supporters, weren’t happy with the “back and forth” remark. One fan on X pointed out that the Canes are now 0-13 all-time in Eastern Conference final games, having been swept in each of their last three appearances.
Gonna go back and forth?????? They’ve lost 13 straight lmaooo
— Steven Kraus (@krau41574)
Another fan brought up Brind’Amour’s similar comments two seasons ago when Carolina was swept by Florida at the same stage.
@Laf4MVP_ and myself didn’t forget the last time Carolina faced the Panthers in the ECF two years ago: pic.twitter.com/CMOWqXo0hM
— xy- somewhat satisfied Bills fan (@OmegaSenpaiZ)
“This guy thinks his team was great every night. Your building was empty by the 9-minute mark of the third. Great game though,” another fan posted.
Some fans, however, defended Brind’Amour.
“He’s not actually wrong. Canes had a good first period. Shot the puck more. Granted I know when the Cats take the lead they go into a more defensive style but still,” one user said.
Yet another fan disagreed.
“Cats almost never in a defensive style when they take a lead, that’s what makes them so good. It’s why they put up 12 goals in 2 games vs TOR and 5 vs CAR in Game 1. When they get a lead, they keep attacking while most try to protect. They are just good defensively regardless,” the reply said.
MORE: 3 Hurricanes Who Failed To Deliver in Game 1 Loss to Panthers
Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves in the win. The Panthers took the lead when Carter Verhaeghe opened the scoring at 8:30 in the first period. Other Panthers goals came from Aaron Ekblad, A.J. Greer, Sam Bennett, and Eetu Luostarinen.
“It’s important to get the first one. They have a good team. They’re going to compete, they’re going to fight. We’re getting ready for the next game,” Bobrovsky said.
The Panthers have now scored 38 goals in their first eight road games of the postseason, tying the record set by the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
