Weekly Recap: Let's just pretend those last two didn't happen

I'd be concerned if we lost by a significant margin to Edmonton, and the other two are toss-ups - hopefully we'll go 2-1 this week.

That was my hopeful prediction last week. The good news? We didn't lose to Edmonton, instead steamrolling them 7-1. The bad news? We got steamrolled by the two other teams we played - 8-1 by the Flyers on Thursday and 7-2 by the Canadiens on Saturday.

This is just depressing. Hooray, we can beat the second-worst team in the league. But, apparently, we can't hold a candle to anything close to the top of the standings. The Canes didn't just lose, they were demolished. The comparisons to last season are already forming in my head.

So let's talk about something else, why don't we? This past week the NHL released their new All-Star game format, which will debut in Raleigh. Essentially, instead of having East and West teams, or even North America/The World teams, the teams will be picked by two players sometime before the Game. Think high school gym floor hockey when you were picked second to last because you were both a girl and unpopular despite your superior knowledge of the game. Yeah, they're doing that in the pros.

Not entirely sure I like the concept - I hope it's pulled off well if only for the fact that this is the game that's being played in Raleigh. The best positive I can draw from the situation is that, with no conference-based teams, we don't have to worry about the NHL implementing a MLB-style All-Star Game where home field advantage is giving to the winning league. But it does nothing for for cheering on geographical rivalries. I mean, how do you decide who to cheer for? Motley group of All-Stars #1 or motley group of All-Stars #2? Probably whichever team @BizNasty2point0 is on. (If you don't know what I'm referring to, just click the link and find the awesomeness. And follow me on Twitter while you're at it.)

Back to the Canes. They currently have 16 points, placing them 4th in the Southeast and 11th in the East. They play Ottawa, Pittsburgh, and Nashville this week. They're getting Patrick O'Sullivan back from healthy-scratchness, and they picked up some random dude (Troy Bodie) off of waivers from Anaheim today. Not sure if either of those will help, but something has got to start the turnaround for the Canes this week.

Erik Cole stats (Tuesday): 1 goal
On the season: 4 goals, 5 assists

Chad LaRose stats (Tuesday): 1 goal
(Thursday): 1 goal
On the season: 4 goals, 4 assists

Big Ultimate Mega Recap!

I'm really sorry for not posting this past week, but unfortunately this whole "college" thing isn't going away. A lot of stuff has happened, so I think it's time for a...

Big Ultimate Mega Recap!!!!

The Canes played 4 games over the past week, coming out with a 2-2 record, which isn't too shabby for this season.

They lost to the Oilers, which is pretty pathetic although it does help their quest for the lowest pick. (Which, by the way, the Canes are losing, allowing the Maple Leafs and Edmonton to slip between them and the bottom.)
They lost to the Flames.
They managed to win against Buffalo.
And they won against the Islanders - Justin Peters started his first game in that one - good for him to notch his first NHL win!

And through all this Erik Cole still hasn't managed to play a game! Are they keeping him in a storage shed a la Mike Leach?^†

Tim Gleason was named to Team USA (which should have happened in the first place, not as an injury replacement... but whatever). The Canes Twitter feed provided this photo, which is absolutely amazing. Now I have a favorite player to cheer for on the team!

The Canes also traded the Secret Weapon, shipping Niclas Wallin and a fifth round pick to San Jose for a second round pick. A shame, because Wallin was always an asset in the times it mattered most (check the nickname), but I'm not overly surprised because Wallin had been in trade rumors for the past bazillion years. Hope San Jose goes well for him.

Cam Ward is out with some kind of back injury. Which is, y'know, just what you want your franchise goaltender to have. We'll get to see more of Justin Peters, which is nice, and this is making the Legace signing look a bit better.

I think that's all the news that has gone on over the past week... This is the last week of games before the Winter Olympic break - and I cannot wait until that begins!

^†... too soon?

ERIK COLE IS BACK!!!!

The best power forward evah! is back on the Canes!!!!

I can barely think for the excitement!!!!

The Canes traded for him in a with the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers. The Canes got Patrick O'Sullivan and a 2nd round draft pick for Justin Williams, then dealt O'Sullivan and the pick to Edmonton for Cole and their 5th round pick.

It is a shame that Williams had to go, as he has been with the team a long time and is a very good player (Hello, empty net goal in Game 7!). But, the good news for the Canes is (other than reaquiring my man Cole, of course) that Williams was out with an injury, and this trade brings someone who is actually in the lineup right now.

I honestly can't believe it. I knew that Cole was in the trade rumors, but I thought that Rutherford seemed pretty much set on not dealing anything with what was being offered.

I think that if it was for any other player, I would be lamenting the loss of Justin Williams more. It's definitely going to be wierd not seeing the number 11 on the ice Friday.

But ERIK COLE IS BACK and I couldn't be happier!

Recaps and stuff

I have some overdue game recaps for you, my loyal readers.

First: Canes won 1-0 over Blues on last Thursday. The goal in that one was scored in Tuomo Ruutu, which I didn't see because I went to bed in the middle of the second period. I did realize in this game that, if you happen to be in a bad mood, John & Tripp on FSN South will absolutely cheer you up with their (sometimes useful, sometimes not) blabbering and random factoids.

Second: Canes lost 3-1 to the Oilers Saturday. I was receiving text messages about the score under a dinner table, so I can't really say how the Canes played in this one. I think Matt Cullen got injured, but I can't find an article easily to back that up, so whatever.

Third: The Canes picked up their first third jersey win 6-3 against Toronto. I watched this game, but can't really remember much except that the Canes started out looking like crap, but then they did a massive scoring flurry in the last four minutes of the second period to take the lead. Very good.

Then last night, the Canes won again against Toronto, this time in overtime 5-4. They should have won it in regulation, having gotten out to a 3-0 lead so quickly in the first, looking like they had completely demoralized the Leafs.

But nooooooooo, the Canes decided to mail it in, so the game had to be won by The Secret Weapon, Nic Wallin. Which was incredibly lucky.

So the next game is Thursday at Washington.

In random news: Brind'Amour, Staal, and Whitney made it onto the All-Star ballot.

And Marty Brodeur will be out 3-4 months after elbow surgery to repair a torn biceps tendon. And the description of what happened completely makes me cringe:

Brodeur extended his arm trying to make a save and ended up tearing the tendon that connects the bicep to the elbow off the bone.

Owie! And that completely sinks the Devils chances this season, a bummer for them - because Brodeur is one heckuva goalie.

Chad LaRose stats (Sunday): 1 goal, 1 assist
(Tuesday): 1 goal, 1 assist
On the season: 4 goals, 2 assists

That's life, I guess...

So, I'm pretty much not going to see about four Canes games in a row.

First one was Tuesday, which was not on TV, when the Canes lost in a shootout 3-2 to the Canadiens. Apparently we're still horrendous at the shootout, not scoring a goal in the shootout.

The second one will (probably) be tonight against the Blues both because it's starts at 8:30 and therefore will not be over before I fall asleep and because most of the night is set aside for dying my hair purple. (Don't hate because I have more school spirit than you...)

Then, the game that I'm the most angry about missing, is the Canes first game at home since mid-October. Yes, the Edmonton Oilers and the best power forward evah! are coming back to town... and I have to be in frickin' Pennsylvania for a 50th wedding anniversary party.

*kicks something*

And then, of course, we'll be driving back Sunday so I'll miss the Sunday Toronto game.

BTW, what is up with all of the Sunday games this month? Haven't these NHL schedulers ever heard of the NFL? Because that's totally going to get people to watch hockey, putting it against the most popular sport in America...

You're the best, Erik

I knew something would happen over my vacation. I just knew it.

Erik Cole was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for Joni Pitkanen on July 1st.

I will miss you Cole. Seeing you kick butt in Carolina was some of the best hockey I've watched. You will always be the best power forward evah!

I have declared that there will be a mourning period for the departure of my favorite hockey player from my hockey team. Therefore, this blog will be dressed in black until my birthday.

Goodbye Erik. I highly doubt your style of play will be seen on this team for a while.

But the Amazing-Power-Forward-Spirit will live on!

Canes win!

Canes won 7-2 over the Oilers last night.

It was the most exciting game I've watched in a while, that's for sure.

The first period was pretty well played by the Canes - Brind'Amour scored first - how long has it been since that's happened?

In the second the Canes' intensity dropped a tad bit, but they still came out of that period with a 2-1 lead.

And then the third period began, with the Canes scoring 5 goals. Eric Staal notched a hat trick - one goal was a sweet penalty shot.

This is the best I've seen the Canes play in a while - a full 60 minute output with a win!!!!

Of course, it was against Edmonton, so it might not say much... - But who cares? It was a win!

Erik Cole stats: 2 assists
On the season: 11 goals, 21 assists

Chad LaRose stats: 1 goal, 1 assist
On the season: 7 goals, 9 assists