skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Last Sunday the Canes defeated the Thrashers 4-3 in overtime, Erik Cole scoring the most excellent game winner. The above picture is from his second game star nomination - needless to say, this Caniac was rather excited to see her favorite player play an excellent game.
Honestly, though, the Canes should never have allowed Atlanta to get back into the game - up two goals at 3-1 and they just seemed to let off the gas pedal in the second and third periods. And then the game goes into overtime, which gives a division rival a point... but Erik Cole scored, so I guess that makes it all better.
Then on Tuesday the Hurricanes beat the Flames 6-5 in a shootout. The good news is, again, that the Canes got two points, but the bad news is that they allowed the Flames to score three straight goals to tie up the game.
The Canes then lost to the Sabres 3-2 on Thursday, breaking their eight game point streak. Yeah, that stretched back to December.
To finish up the week, the Canes won against the Southeast-leading Lightning 6-4. This was a really fun game to watch - definitely a lot of offense. There were memorable goals on both sides - Chad LaRose coming out of the box to score a power play breakaway goal stands out for the Canes. For the Lightning, well, that Stamkos kid made the Canes look silly, skating straight up the ice and scoring an easy goal.
So this leaves the Canes at 22-16-6, decidedly over .500 with 50 points, good enough for fourth in the Southeast and ninth in the Conference. So, yeah, still no playoff spot, but we have three games in hand on Atlanta and we're only one point behind them in the eighth spot - so the gap has closed and I would say that the Canes are firmly in the playoff race. Providing, of course, that they continue to play as well as they have.
So now that I'm back at school and my period of being able to view games is over, I think I'll give a list of my collected observations over the winter break.
- Jeff Skinner is amazing. Period. End of story.
- Erik Cole also looks really good. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a fangirl. He looks almost back to his 05-06 form - he's driving the net, creating chances and scoring.
- The Canes have serious issues with momentum. They seem to decide to play one and a half periods during a game. This means they start out great and allow the other team to get back in the game after being dominated, or the Canes play like crap in the first two periods and then storm back to victory in the third. Granted, I've become used to this after watching this team for so many years, but it does become frustrating to watch this team go into a defensive shell after they get a two goal lead.
- The call-ups from Charlotte (Dalpe, Boychuk) looked really good. Finally, we have a farm system with useful players!
- The NHL really should consult with me before scheduling games during football season. Missed my half of my team's bowl game and half of the NFL games this past week.
Overall, I'm feeling optimistic for the second half of the season. It seems like things are beginning to click for this team and they're beating teams they need to. This next week will be a test for the Canes, as they play Boston, the Rangers, and Pittsburgh - all teams currently above them in the playoff standings. The points streak has gotten them in the position to compete, now they need to continue their success.
Also, expect an All-Star Game related post sometime soon. In other words, no, I didn't gloss over the fact that Staal and Ward were named our All-Stars this week.
Erik Cole stats (Sunday): 1 goal
(Tuesday): 1 goal
(Saturday): 3 assists
On the season: 12 goals, 13 assists
Chad LaRose stats (Tuesday): 1 assist
(Saturday): 1 goal
On the season: 8 goals, 9 assists
The past two weeks were pretty kind to the Canes - in the six games since my last post, Carolina went 4-1-1. Yes, that means that finally the Canes have had a win streak and managed to get above .500 on the season.
Let's recap:
- Canes lost to the Stars 2-1 in a shootout. No one scored in the SO for the Canes.
- In their next game the Canes were finally victorious in the shootout, winning 2-1 over the Blues. Jussi Jokinen scored the only goal in the shootout.
- Canes won 4-3 over the Panthers in a come-from-behind victory. They had gone down three goals early in the game - Ward was pulled from goal after letting two goals in the first two minutes. But, for probably the first time this season, they didn't give up and they powered back for the victory in regulation.
- The Canes also came from behind the next night, winning 3-2 in a shootout over the Atlanta Thrashers. Cam Ward was a complete beast in this one, stopping 45 shots on the night.
I actually watched the game against the Ducks (finals are over, haha!), and I think that the 4-2 win was entertaining enough to earn its own bulleted section of the post. So, my observations:
- The end of the game was INSANE. Yeah, that's the only word that even begins to describe what happened. Three successive penalties called against the Canes resulting in a full two minute six-on-three that the Canes had to kill off. Yes, that's six-on-three due to the fact that Anaheim pulled their goalie. First time in a long time that I've been on the edge of my seat to watch any sort of hockey that the Canes have played. Cam Ward was absolutely stellar to keep the Ducks from scoring more than one.
- Speaking of Ward, he looked amazing. AMAZING. If he can keep up this kind of play, the Canes definitely have a chance for the playoffs. He is a top-notch goalie and he definitely showed all of his skill in this game.
- As for the penalties called to put Cam Ward in the position to have to make those saves... Joe Corvo pretty much lost his mind going after Corey Perry (although he deserved it, but let's just say that Corvo has to be a little less blatant in roughing next time if he doesn't want to get called). Brandon Sutter I guess closed his hand on the puck - debatable, but I'll give the ref credit. Eric Staal's crosscheck, however, was nonexistent. Definitely absurd that the refs should call something like that when a team is already down two men. Talk about trying to decide the game.
- I loved that Corvo went after Perry after he scored the empty netter. Not so happy that Perry started something because his team lost, but I'm glad that Corvo stuck up for himself and didn't just take the crap.
- Eric Staal had a natural hat trick. Yeah, kind of an afterthought after the excitement at the end. But his first goal particularly was a beauty - Staal just took the puck straight up the side during a powerplay - a very pretty goal, although I'm sure the nonexistent Anaheim defense would think otherwise.
So, with this win, the Canes had a four game win streak. That ended pretty ignominiously with a 5-1 loss to the Lightning tonight. Let's just say I'm not crying that this one wasn't televised.
So where does this leave the Canes? They currently have a 15-13-4 record and 34 points on the year, good enough for 9th in the East and 4th in the Southeast. So, if you're keeping track, same as it was last post. The good news, or at least, what could be good news in the future - the C[r]apitals no longer have a stranglehold on the division. Thanks to their recent struggles, they are actually third in the Southeast. In our position it probably doesn't mean much - we're eight points behind them - but hopefully the Canes will continue to win and take advantage of our rival's poor play.
Upcoming this week is Montreal, who is leading their division, and the aforementioned C[r]apitals. I'm hoping for a continuation of the good play of the past two weeks - hey, the Penguins recently went on a twelve game tear, why can't the Canes do the same?
Erik Cole Stats (Dec 15th): 1 goal
(Dec 18th): 1 assist
(Tonight): 1 assist
On the season: 6 goals, 8 assists
I didn't do a weekly recap last week NOT because I was lazy, but because I wanted to provide my loyal readers with a special double issue - twice the amount of information packed into one week!
(Don't you hate when print magazines pull that crap? I do. But I wouldn't be too optimistic that the next post will be next week - unfortunately college has these things called exams...)
So, let's enter the time machine and recap what's happened since the day before Thanksgiving:
- Canes lost to the C[r]apitals 3-2, despite coming back and scoring two goals in the third period to tie it up.
- Canes won 3-0 over Boston. They looked pretty awesome, which was surprising, as the Canes have generally looked like crap when they play against teams that are above us in the standings this season. Cam Ward also walked away with his first shutout of the year. All three goals came on the power play, which was remarkable because at the time Boston had the best penalty kill in the league.
- Canes lost to the C[r]apitals 3-2, despite coming back. And, no, I didn't get lazy and just copy the first bullet - this game the Canes lost in a shootout. Canes haven't been looking too good in shootouts of late - almost no goals scored in them. I'm hoping this isn't like two seasons ago where the Canes had an abysmal time in the shootouts. I'm too lazy to look up the exact facts, but I believe Rod Brind'Amour had the only shootout goal for about three-quarters of the season. Isn't it sad that I'm just hoping that this season isn't as bad as previous ones?
- Canes then lost 4-1 to the Stars, a game where I just kind of shook my head listening to Chuck Kaiton described the rapid succession of goals for Dallas early in the second period.
- Canes won in OT over Colorado 2-1, the winning goal being scored by Brandon Sutter.
- Finally, the Canes lost 5-2 against the Predators last night. Depressing fact: Cam Ward has not won a game against Nashville in his career.
So where does this leave the Canes? They're currently 4th in the Southeast and 9th in the Conference with 25 points. However, they're not really that close to the 8th place Thrashers who have 31 points, and their record is decidedly mediocre at one game under .500. Pretty much, if you were to look up "meh" in the dictionary, the definition would certainly reference this team. They play decently, but most of the time not amazing - but they're definitely not anywhere near as poor as last season. Really, I think they need to go on some sort of win streak, just to get them over the hump of being a .500 team.
Will it happen this week? They play Dallas again and the Blues after a long five day break. I wouldn't be surprised if we continue our crappy play against them, but hopefully the Canes will win over the Blues. So, nope, I'm not predicting anything remarkable this week.
Erik Cole stats (Nov 28th): 1 goal
On the season: 5 goals, 6 assists
I think I must be some sort of shootout magnet. Three out of four of the games I have managed to watch this season have gone to a shootout - I suppose I must apologize to those who dislike the practice, expect December and January to have a lot of shootouts if current trends continue.
But let's rewind to Wednesday, when the Canes made a trade. They acquired Ian White and Brett Sutter from Calgary for Tom Kostopoulos and Anton Babchuk, Sutter being waived the next day to be sent to Albany. (For those wondering, Sutter is current Cane Brandon Sutter's cousin). Having seen him in action, I can say that White is a smallish defenseman who looks to be pretty solid in the defensive zone - he stepped in pretty well in a pairing with Joni Pitkanen both Friday and Saturday.
I'd say, from this early vantage point, that it's a good trade for the Canes. White seems like a good defenseman, who would certainly be an upgrade from Anton Babchuk's flightiness (I'm not too sad to see him and his seasons in Russia go, although his slapshot might be missed.) Kostopoulos is a good character guy, but not a core part of the Canes team. And I won't miss struggling to spell his name while blogging.
Also on Wednesday the Canes won 7-1 over the Ottawa Senators. Generally a win of this goal differential would be something I'd celebrate, but it doesn't seem right to be cheerful, as the Senators had attended the funeral of the assistant coach's daughter earlier that day.
So let's move on to the two games I was able to view, one on the television, and one in person. The former was a 5-4 shootout loss to the Penguins. I thought the Canes played extremely well in this game, constantly battling back from being down a goal. They really played up to the Penguins level, which I was certainly not expecting, having seen the boxscores from the previous week. They also got a point in the standings, in spite of the refs (and the War Room in Toronto), who showed that they could use a new contact and hearing aid prescription. A goal in the third period was allowed for the Pens where the whistle was clearly blown before the puck crossed the goal line. Luckily, the Canes were able to come back once again so that the call didn't cost them the entire game.
The next shootout loss was last night against the Predators. Where the Pittsburgh game was offensively powered and fun to watch, the Nashville one was defensively driven and kind of a snoozefest.
Interestingly, the same three shooters were chosen for both shootouts - Jeff Skinner, Jussi Jokinen, and Patrick O'Sullivan. Skinner and Jokinen I understand, but I just do not understand the choice of O'Sullivan. Granted, he didn't get to show his stuff in the shootout against Pittsburgh, but I wasn't impressed last night. I somehow get the feeling that Paul Maurice keeps writing down "8" thinking Matt Cullen's on the bench, and then is somewhat disappointed when he realizes it's a different guy in the jersey.
Anyways... a more successful week for the Canes than the previous, I'd say. I was very impressed with the play against Pittsburgh - definitely gives me hope for playing well in other close games this season. Currently the Canes are 9th in the East and 4th in the Southeast with 20 points - movin' on up. Up next for the Canes are the C[r]aptials on Wednesday and the Bruins on Friday - not easy matchups in any sense. Hopefully they can play like they did this past Friday and maybe get a win out of one of them.
And my final thought for this post: Make sure you're voting for the All-Star Game! I'm officially on the Paul Bissonnette bandwagon!
Erik Cole stats (Wednesday): 1 assist
On the season: 4 goals, 6 assists
Chad LaRose stats (Wednesday): 2 goals, 2 assists
On the season: 6 goals, 6 assists
So the Canes' season is slowly winding down. Amazingly, they're not yet eliminated from the playoffs, and their recent play seems to just be staying that inevitability for the longest possible time.
Cam Ward came back for Monday's game against Atlanta, and stopped 26 of 27 for the 4-1 win against the Thrashers. From what I could tell from the radio broadcast, it sounded like the Canes were playing sloppily in the first period, but then turned on the afterburners in the second and third.
The consolation prize of this game? Atlanta's playoff chances significantly dropped after this loss to us. So I guess winning isn't all that bad.
The Canes also won 2-1 against the Canadiens on Wednesday. I think I listened to part of this game, but I honestly can't remember much of it. Other than the fact that Cam Ward looks just as sharp as he did before his prolonged injury leave, which is a good thing.
Then came the 4-3 shootout loss against the Senators last night. The Canes looked to have this one wrapped up, but let Erik Karlsson score with 7.7 seconds left in the third period. His goal assured the Sens of a point and a spot in the playoffs. The Canes then proceeded to lose in the shootout.
And, now for something completely different...
So I had this whole thing typed up about what made me start blogging and how my life has changed over the past year with college and lack of time and lack of Canes-game viewing and how I don't post a lot but I still love blogging, blah blah blah. But I couldn't end it very well, and to be honest the beginning wasn't that great, so here's a bulleted list:
- This blog is awesome. It's been going since April 2nd, 2006. That's four years!
- My readers are awesome. I may not get bazillions of visitors each day, but even the fact that one person wants to read what I write is amazing. Keep on rockin' you guys.
- I am awesome. I think four years is a pretty cool accomplishment.
- The Canes are awesome and hockey is awesome. Okay, maybe this year the Canes aren't that awesome, but hockey makes my day, every day.- And, finally, Erik Cole is awesome. Do I seriously have to qualify this statement?
Thanks for visiting, everyone. How about four more years?
Erik Cole(Monday): 1 goal
(Wednesday): 1 assist
On the season: 10 goals, 4 assists
Chad LaRose(Monday): 1 assist
(Wednesday): 1 assist
(Thursday): 1 goal
On the season: 8 goals, 12 assists
Sorry, guys. I've been a bad blogger of late. Unfortunately I have been positively swamped and I haven't been able to keep up with a rapid rate of games this past week.
So, let's kick it back 8 days to the Canes OT W over Pittsburgh 3-2. They won the game on a wicked shot from Jamie McBain with about a second left in overtime. Considering the fact that McBain has 6 points in 7 games with the team, I'd say he's looking to be an asset on defense.
Then the Canes lost to Buffalo at home the next day 5-3. Buffalo scored three goals in 7 minutes in the second to turn the tide their way. I wasn't able to catch any of this game, but any loss to the Banana Slugs Sabres leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
The Canes also lost to the Lightning 3-2 in overtime. I wasn't happy with the outcome (St. Louis only 29 seconds into OT), but I was extremely pleased when both Erik Cole and Chad LaRose scored within 20 seconds during the second period.
Tuomo Ruutu's season ended on Thursday with shoulder surgery. He had apparently been playing through the pain for a while, and he's expected to be out 4-5 months. I guess it's a good thing that we're not in the playoffs - his loss would be devastating.
Then came the Canes victory over the C[r]apitals in a shootout - a game I got to watch! And let me just say that I find it amazing that we can play Washington like this and then lose immediately afterwards.
An interesting theme of the game was rookie defensemen scoring. The Canes came out fast in the first period with a nice shot by Jamie McBain, and then followed it up with Bryan Rodney's first NHL goal about seven minutes later. Getting a 2-0 lead in the first is always a good thing when you're going up against the best team in the East. For the C[r]apitals, John Carlson also scored his first goal, although unfortunately it had to be the tying goal in the third.
Then came the hero of the night - Chad LaRose won the game by scoring on his first ever shootout attempt. After much jubilation my reaction was: Seriously? This guy has never had a shootout attempt in his career? I mean, a few seasons ago you would have thought that the Canes would've tried anything to get a shootout goal.
Maybe this means LaRose will be a regular in the shootout rotation? Doubtful - but wouldn't that be awesome?
And then, after that great win against Washington, the Canes lose 4-0 to the menial Thrashers. I guess they felt they should keep someone's playoff dreams alive, since their poor play crushed ours in November.
So what did we learn after this week? The Canes like to either win in a tight OT/SO game, preferably beating a giant, or they like to be blown out by teams.
Oh, and, despite my fervent adoration for Chuck Kaiton (he's the man!), watching games on TV is still superior (for both attention span and remembering what happened). Even if I do have to put up with the Washington announcers.
Erik Cole stats (Tuesday): 1 goal
On the season: 9 goals, 3 assists
Chad LaRose stats (Last Saturday): 1 assist
(Tuesday): 1 goal
On the season: 7 goals, 10 assists
The Canes lost in a shootout 4-3 to the Flyers, in a game that could be called "Exhibit A" in the Museum of "Why this team is so frustrating".
The first two periods of this game were definitely nothing to brag about, the Canes going down 2-0 in the first period.
Then came the third period, in which the Canes scored three straight to tie the game up and force it to overtime. Where this sudden comeback came from, I have absolutely no idea. But it's amazing how this team can be playing poorly for the entire season, but somehow appear to be a cohesive unit for 10 minutes.
I'm at a loss, here. I don't understand why Eric Staal is playing the wing. I understand that you would want to mix up the lines when the team is playing horribly, or to send a message to the players, but I just don't understand why you would want to force a player to play a position that he is not comfortable with for an extended period of time.
And, yes, I know that the Jokinen-Cullen-Staal line is responsible for two of the goals that were scored. Although, personally, I thought that the Whitney-Sutter-Ruutu line played with more energy and had tons of excellent chances (Whitney apparently can't hit the broad side of a barn).
And, let's face it, this was Michael Leighton in goal for the Flyers. He may not have gotten a fair shake in Raleigh, but he never played as well as he did in the first two periods. The Canes need to play better - because if they're scrapping for points against the Flyers (who are tied with the Maple Leafs), how are they going to manage against a team like the C[r]apitals, who have all of their ducks in order?
IT'S OVER!
THE STREAK OF DARKNESS IS OVER!
THE CANES ARE VICTORIOUS!
5-4 SHOOTOUT WIN, TAKE THAT MINNESOTA!
Anyone up for a 14-game win streak?
Since my last post the Canes have gone 0-1-1. Awesome.
The Canes lost 5-2 to the Lightning, allowing them to get their first win of the year. I was able to watch a lot of the third period, which means I was able to tune in just in time to see the Canes give the game away by letting Tampa score 3 goals in succession. Ryan Malone got a hat trick in that one.
Then yesterday the Canes lost in a shootout to the Penguins. Again, I tuned in just in time for the third period - although this one had somewhat of a better experience. Ray Whitney single-handedly tied the game with his two goals. Unfortunately, he couldn't knock in another one (in regulation or in the shootout) and the Canes lost in the shootout, despite pushing the Pens to 6 rounds in the shootout.
Watching the highlights online, I must say that, first of all, Ray Whitney should be in front of the net more often, as both of his goals were redirects off of his stick out in front of the net.
Secondly, Cam Ward is a beast. I was going to post a clip of one of his saves, but at the end of the game he had so many. The goals were not his fault, mainly a lack of defense there - but this game easily could've been won outright by the Penguins if it wasn't Ward making the stops there.
Some concerning news for Caniacs is that, according to the Canes' Twitter feed, this is the second time Eric Staal has been held out of practice. He played in the game last night, but I think there must be some kind of injury if he's not practicing. Why else would you hold your star player off the ice?
The next game is Saturday against New Jersey. I know it's early in the season, but I haven't been overly impressed by the Canes... perhaps they can begin to turn it around?
Canes lost in a shootout to the C[r]apitals on Saturday. They didn't play too bad, but it was another case of a point they should have had with a win.
Erik Cole had a very nice goal in the first period to start off the scoring, but the Canes let Washington score three in a row. Luckily they were able to scramble back to a tie, thanks to an excellent Niclas Wallin goal. Unfortunately, that's all they could do, and the C[r]apitals outshot the Canes in the shootout.
Now they don't play until Wednesday, and we have to play the waiting game to see who will win and lose in the East. The Canes still have more games played than most of the others in the East, and are currently in eighth.
*sigh* Why couldn't they win more games earlier in the season?
Erik Cole stats: 1 goal, 1 assist
With the Canes: 2 goals, 6 assists
On the season: 18 goals, 17 assists
Oops. Haven't posted since Monday. Oh well - I was busy doing absolutely nothing. Which is both a lie and an oxymoron.
Anyways, way back on Monday, the Canes beat the Rangers 3-0. The game was a solidly played one, although the Canes came out a little sluggish in the first period and caught a break with a no-goal call for the Rangers.
Oh, and Sean Avery is a punk. As always.
Then on Wednesday, the Canes lost in a shootout to the Blackhawks. I saw none of the game, but Cam Ward looked spectactular in the highlights and Tuomo Ruutu scored a goal to tie the game with 26.5 seconds left.
Then, last night, the Canes lost to Dallas 3-2 in another game I didn't see. The good thing is that, even with this loss, the Canes are still "in" the playoffs as of right now - they're sitting eighth, although every single other team in the conference has less games played.
The next game is tomorrow against the C[r]apitals.
Erik Cole stats (Monday): 1 assist
With the Canes: 1 goal, 5 assists
On the season: 17 goals, 16 assists
Canes won in a shootout last night against Buffalo.
Which is both good and bad - bad that we didn't win outright and gave Buffalo a point in the standings, good that we actually won the game despite looking lackluster in the first two periods.
This win leaves the Canes tied with the same Buffalo Sabres for eighth, although Buffalo has the nod right now, as they have a game in hand over the Canes.
Although, seriously, how could the Canes lose when this was the clip played before the game:
I was nearly rolling in the aisles watching that. Now that's how you get into an opponent's head.
Next game is tomorrow against Atlanta.
We actually came out of San Jose with a win! Well, a shootout win, but a win all the same.
I'm very impressed. Considering how we've been beaten by the Bruins this season, I didn't think the Canes would win against the leaders of the West. Obviously, I was wrong.
And, wow, I just watched the highlights online - man, was that third Canes goal sweet. I mean, LaRose passes to Whitney, who shoots through the crease to get it to Cullen, streaking in from the blue line, who then passed back to Whitney to knock it in - Wow!
Michael Leighton also looked like he made some pretty stellar saves - maybe some of the goals were a bit soft, but the saves online are definitely highlight reel quality.
The bad news about this win is that Eric Staal left in the third with some kind of lower-body injury, although it sounds day-to-day at the worst.
The next game is against Phoenix tomorrow. I can tell you that I have a much better outlook on this team after this game.
Oh, yeah, if you readers could answer the poll to the left, it would help me very much. Thanks!
Canes lost another in a shootout last night, losing 3-2 to the Rangers. (Not the Pens, who for some bizarre reason I thought we were playing again when I posted last. Whatever.)
I only saw the third period, as I was at a friend's birthday party. Canes looked okay, looked like they were matching the pace of the Rangers. Stupid idiots couldn't convert on a power play if their life depended on it, though.
The shootout itself looked much better this time around - Cam Ward looked very good, only letting in 1 out of 5. Sadly, that was the winning shot as the Canes couldn't convert on any of their chances.
This Caniac is rather unhappy that Chad LaRose did not play in the game. And that Corvo and Pitkanen are being worked to death by playing over 31 minutes apiece. But ice-time grievances have been better defined better over at Canes Country.
Ugh. Canes play Montreal on Tuesday. I suppose losses that gain us a point are better than outright losses. But is it too much to ask for a win? Especially when the Canes are tenth in the division, and the Florida Panthers are ahead of us in the standings?
Well, the Canes were leading 5-1 going into the third period.
And they ended up losing 6-5 in a shootout.
I don't even know what to say. The Canes were playing so good in the first two periods. I mean, hello! Five goals: two on the power play, two by Eric Staal. I thought things were going great.
And then - Poof! - whatever the Canes had found that they had been lacking in their past games went away again, letting Philly score four straight goals in the third.
There was just no fire, no offense, no anything in the third. Philly came out strong and the Canes just didn't match at all.
And Michael Leighton looked completely lost in the shootout.
I don't know what to say. This was a disappointing loss for anyone who saw how the Canes clicked so well in the first 2/3rds of the game.
Next game is tomorrow against the Penguins. Hopefully it won't be so much of a letdown.
So I'm writing down on all of these college applications and scholarship forms that I started my own blog, when it suddenly occured to me that I want to actually, y'know, update said blog.
Of course, the last time I posted was only Saturday, so really this is the normal turnaround for me.
But this is not what I'm supposed to be rambling about. What am I supposed to be rambling about?
Ah, yes, the Canes. They won! Granted, it was a shootout win, but any win is good to stop the losing slide they had been on.
And, now that I think about it, any shootout win is a thing to celebrate, considering the unsuccess rate† of recent ones.
Anyways, I didn't actually see the game, as, yet again, the game was not on TV. But it looks like the Canes went down by two goals early, then powered back to tie it.
And Wade Brookbank got a goal! YaY! Maybe this will end up getting him some more ice time...
And the Canes were wearing their black jerseys, pushing that particular record to 2-1 on the season.
Next game is tomorrow against Montreal. Maybe we can now have a regulation win?
† Best phrase evah!
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...
Canes lost in a shootout to the C[r]apitals 3-2 last night.
Honestly, I think the Canes are lucky to get a point out of this meeting. They really didn't play well, and had no real offense to speak of. I mean, our two goals were pretty lucky - Hamilton's in the first was an improbable bank shot off of a Washington defenseman's leg, and Cole's was lucky to be called a goal - at least if the delay in reviewing it is any indication - he literally crashed the net, being pushed in by a C[r]apital. Otherwise the Canes offense was sort of meh...
Of course, this might be because we are missing a huge number of people, Patrick Eaves being added to the list because he apparently caught the flu. It was like watching the Albany River Rats without moving to New York and dealing with all the snow.
Speaking of Albany, the Canes signed their first round pick Brandon Sutter to a three-year deal. He'll report to Albany for now.
So, yeah, lead in the Southeast is down to four with five games left... not cool.
Next game's against the Thrashers on Friday.Erik Cole stats: 1 goal
On the season: 22 goals, 25 assists
That was one of the most spectactular losses in a while.
It was what I would call a semi-come-from-behind victory - Canes lost 3-2 in a shootout after coming back from 2-0 with less than two minutes left.
The Canes got their energy jolt from a fight between Tim Gleason and Milan Lucic. Gleason hit somebody, and Lucic took umbrage with it, so they dropped the gloves. Lucic then proceeded to try and not get hit, but sort of failed at that, and Gleason totally won that fight.
Then Ray Whitney scored with 1:03 left in the game, giving the Canes another huge boost.
Then came my man Erik Cole, taking an awesome shot that ended up in the top shelf of the net.
Sadly, the Canes seemed to lose a little bit of gas in the OT, and then couldn't pull off a goal. Then they lost in the shootout.
Despite that, this game was completely awesome. Carolina had 47 shots on goal (it was amazing that they hadn't scored before the remaining two minutes) and they played well in the game, having numerous chances throughout.
The Staal-Cole-Whitney line was absolutely stellar - full of energy all night.
Cam actually looked pretty good, the two goals he gave up were power play ones that he couldn't really do much on (especially the first one, as it managed to deflect off of Chara while he was in front of the net).
Next game is tomorrow against Atlanta, who the Canes have a 3 point lead on in the division, but they have two games in hand...
Erik Cole stats: 1 goal
On the season: 14 goals, 22 assists
Canes won in a shootout thriller against the Flyers 6-5.
The best part about this win? That it's a win!
The lamest part about this win? That the Canes had the lead 3 times, and let the Flyers tie it up 3 times.
And that Joffrey Lupul scored a hat trick.
And the Canes had several chances to retake/extend the lead on the powerplay but failed miserably (most notably in the overtime period). Canes powerplay ended up being 0-for-7.
But, I think all that was made up by the sheer awesomeness of Brind'Amour's winning shot in the shootout. The puck looked like the goalie Biron stopped it, but it went up in the air, landed on Biron's back and scooted into the net!
Next game is against Toronto. Hopefully that game can be as exciting as the last two! (And a win. Wins are good.)Erik Cole stats: 2 assists
On the season: 7 goals, 14 assists
