Oh. My. Goodness. Best hockey of the season tonight.
I've been able to see two games so far under the Muller regime, and I have to say I love it. The hockey I saw was absolutely amazing. It was entertaining, it actually used our offensive talents, it's creating a chemistry within the team that I hadn't seen up to this point.
Love love love love love it!
Tonight's game was great. The Canes beat the Canucks 4-3 - and the Canucks are no slouch of a team this season. Drayson Bowman had two goals and the offense overall seemed to be clicking and getting legitimate chances. Cam Ward was amazing. Finally I see the Ward that Caniacs have come to expect - making the tough saves to keep his team in the game.
Everything would appear to be coming together for this team system-wise. Finally! If only this had happened before the Canes were deep into a 'rebuilding season'.
Unfortunately, everything isn't coming together on the injury front. Both Joni Pitkanen and Jeff Skinner are out with concussions - I'm very disappointed, as I always love to see Skinner do his work on the ice. I really hope that they both come back soon. There seems to be a rash of concussions in the league recently, especially those which put players out for long periods of time.
I'm still in awe about tonight's play though. For the first time in a very long while I felt excited watching this team play. I've definitely missed this look from my favorite team.
Showing posts with label Joni Pitkanen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joni Pitkanen. Show all posts
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
An active week for the Canes
Quite a bit has happened over the last week and a half - and it doesn't look like the news is going to slow down anytime soon, so let's get caught up, shall we?
The amazingly wonderful Jeff Skinner won the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. I heard the Awards ceremony was pretty horrible to watch, so I'm glad I wasn't quite that bored this year to suffer through it. But I am very happy for Skinner - us Caniacs knew how awesome he was this season, so it's nice to see him get some credit from the rest of the league as well.
The 2011-2012 schedule was released. I'm excited because I'll get to see the Opening Night game for the first time in a few years.
I think I'll take this opportunity to mention the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets move. In short, not a fan. I like the South. I like hockey. I get really really really tired of people cracking jokes about hockey not belonging in the South. So I feel for Atlanta because their fans got screwed and nobody really seems to care. I'll always remember the Thrashers playoff games I was able to attend back in 07 - definitely a lot of fun.
From a scheduling standpoint, the city change completely throws a wrench into the NHL's regional divisions, meaning the Canes and the rest of the Southeast are going to have to make huge trips to Winnipeg multiple times throughout the season. There are rumors that the NHL plans to rearrange the league after this season, which will make a lot of sense. Hopefully the current rivalries are preserved, but I guess we'll see what happens with that later.
The day after the schedule was released, the Canes selected Ryan Murphy with the 12th pick of the Draft. Apparently he's a steal at number 12, but I certainly wouldn't know. His stats show that he could be an offensive powerhouse on the d-line... but he's also a 5'11" d-man. Rutherford, apparently, dislikes drafting size. It worked out with Skinner last year, hopefully it will do the same this year.
Finally, the first day of free agency is approaching, and the Canes are wrapping up some of their players before they hit the market. The two notable signings are Joni Pitkanen at $4.5 million over three years and Chad LaRose for $1.5 and $1.9 mil for two years.
I like the Pitkanen signing - I do like him on the blueline and I think the contract is the going rate for defenseman. I don't think the Canes would have been able to get anyone much better for the same price through free agency, so I like the deal. Of course I like the Chad LaRose deal, and it seems like the right amount for him as well - hopefully he can rebound from this less than stellar past season.
The fact that Erik Cole has not yet been signed is very concerning for this Caniac. I would have thought that he would have struck a deal by now - in my last post it seemed like negotiations were coming along well... apparently not? I hope he and the Canes will still be able to work it out.
Whatever happens with that, we'll find out in a few days. I'll definitely update with what occurs during free agent signing day!
The amazingly wonderful Jeff Skinner won the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. I heard the Awards ceremony was pretty horrible to watch, so I'm glad I wasn't quite that bored this year to suffer through it. But I am very happy for Skinner - us Caniacs knew how awesome he was this season, so it's nice to see him get some credit from the rest of the league as well.
The 2011-2012 schedule was released. I'm excited because I'll get to see the Opening Night game for the first time in a few years.
I think I'll take this opportunity to mention the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets move. In short, not a fan. I like the South. I like hockey. I get really really really tired of people cracking jokes about hockey not belonging in the South. So I feel for Atlanta because their fans got screwed and nobody really seems to care. I'll always remember the Thrashers playoff games I was able to attend back in 07 - definitely a lot of fun.
From a scheduling standpoint, the city change completely throws a wrench into the NHL's regional divisions, meaning the Canes and the rest of the Southeast are going to have to make huge trips to Winnipeg multiple times throughout the season. There are rumors that the NHL plans to rearrange the league after this season, which will make a lot of sense. Hopefully the current rivalries are preserved, but I guess we'll see what happens with that later.
The day after the schedule was released, the Canes selected Ryan Murphy with the 12th pick of the Draft. Apparently he's a steal at number 12, but I certainly wouldn't know. His stats show that he could be an offensive powerhouse on the d-line... but he's also a 5'11" d-man. Rutherford, apparently, dislikes drafting size. It worked out with Skinner last year, hopefully it will do the same this year.
Finally, the first day of free agency is approaching, and the Canes are wrapping up some of their players before they hit the market. The two notable signings are Joni Pitkanen at $4.5 million over three years and Chad LaRose for $1.5 and $1.9 mil for two years.
I like the Pitkanen signing - I do like him on the blueline and I think the contract is the going rate for defenseman. I don't think the Canes would have been able to get anyone much better for the same price through free agency, so I like the deal. Of course I like the Chad LaRose deal, and it seems like the right amount for him as well - hopefully he can rebound from this less than stellar past season.
The fact that Erik Cole has not yet been signed is very concerning for this Caniac. I would have thought that he would have struck a deal by now - in my last post it seemed like negotiations were coming along well... apparently not? I hope he and the Canes will still be able to work it out.
Whatever happens with that, we'll find out in a few days. I'll definitely update with what occurs during free agent signing day!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Team USA is awesome!
The USA-Canada game on Sunday was some of the best and most entertaining hockey that I have seen in a very long time.
Yes, that might be because I'm a Canes fan, but nevertheless, this game was excellent.
The USA managed to pull it off, winning 5-3 over the heavily favored Canadians. Martin Brodeur was the factor in this game, although not for the normal reasons. Brodeur played an absolutely horrific game, his puck-playing blunders leading directly to 3 USA goals.
USA scored the first goal in the game :41 seconds in, which set the tone for the remainder of the game - nothing like a quick goal to take the home crowd out of it.
With the win the USA earned a first-round bye into the quarterfinals, where they will have the benefit of a day off before playing Switzerland, a team they already beat 3-1 earlier in the Olympics.
Interestingly enough, Eric Staal actually played a very good game against the USA, scoring 1 goal and having one of the few positive plus/minuses on the team. Staal also had 3 assists in today's game against Germany to advance Canada into the quarters.
In bad news on the Canes front, Joni Pitkanen was suspended for one game after checking Patric Hornqvist in the head in his game against Sweden.
The Americans play the Swiss tomorrow! U-S-A! U-S-A!
Yes, that might be because I'm a Canes fan, but nevertheless, this game was excellent.
The USA managed to pull it off, winning 5-3 over the heavily favored Canadians. Martin Brodeur was the factor in this game, although not for the normal reasons. Brodeur played an absolutely horrific game, his puck-playing blunders leading directly to 3 USA goals.
USA scored the first goal in the game :41 seconds in, which set the tone for the remainder of the game - nothing like a quick goal to take the home crowd out of it.
With the win the USA earned a first-round bye into the quarterfinals, where they will have the benefit of a day off before playing Switzerland, a team they already beat 3-1 earlier in the Olympics.
Interestingly enough, Eric Staal actually played a very good game against the USA, scoring 1 goal and having one of the few positive plus/minuses on the team. Staal also had 3 assists in today's game against Germany to advance Canada into the quarters.
In bad news on the Canes front, Joni Pitkanen was suspended for one game after checking Patric Hornqvist in the head in his game against Sweden.
The Americans play the Swiss tomorrow! U-S-A! U-S-A!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Olympic Update
The first week of the Olympics has passed, and there has definitely been some exciting hockey to watch.
First and foremost, of course, is Team USA, which beat Switzerland 3-1 on Monday. They then beat Norway 6-1 on Wednesday. Tim Gleason unfortunately didn't make it on the scoresheet at all.
The interesting games so far have been the same Swiss team which USA beat forcing Canada into overtime and a shootout, although ultimately losing 3-2. Sidney Crosby scored the winning shootout attempt, although it is obviously that any team can be carried by a hot goaltender - Jonas Hiller obviously held his own extremely well.
Another team who ran into a hot goaltender was the favorite Team Russia - they lost to Slovakia and Jaroslav Halak 2-1 in another shootout.
Let's just say that either of these teams having trouble in these rounds is extremely surprising, as they were both expected to be head and shoulders above anyone else.
For Caniacs, Tuomo Ruutu and Joni Pitkanen both scored goals in the 5-0 Finnish victory over Germany. Pitkanen also had a point in the 5-1 win over Belarus. Eric Staal made it on the Team Canada scoresheet in the 8-0 victory over Norway.
Tomorrow is the game of games, USA v. Canada. Believe it or not, the USA is currently on top of the Group A standings, due to winning both of their games outright (the Olympic standings give 3 points for regulation wins and 2 for OT/SO wins). This game will be important to determine who may get a first-round bye for the quarterfinals.
First and foremost, of course, is Team USA, which beat Switzerland 3-1 on Monday. They then beat Norway 6-1 on Wednesday. Tim Gleason unfortunately didn't make it on the scoresheet at all.
The interesting games so far have been the same Swiss team which USA beat forcing Canada into overtime and a shootout, although ultimately losing 3-2. Sidney Crosby scored the winning shootout attempt, although it is obviously that any team can be carried by a hot goaltender - Jonas Hiller obviously held his own extremely well.
Another team who ran into a hot goaltender was the favorite Team Russia - they lost to Slovakia and Jaroslav Halak 2-1 in another shootout.
Let's just say that either of these teams having trouble in these rounds is extremely surprising, as they were both expected to be head and shoulders above anyone else.
For Caniacs, Tuomo Ruutu and Joni Pitkanen both scored goals in the 5-0 Finnish victory over Germany. Pitkanen also had a point in the 5-1 win over Belarus. Eric Staal made it on the Team Canada scoresheet in the 8-0 victory over Norway.
Tomorrow is the game of games, USA v. Canada. Believe it or not, the USA is currently on top of the Group A standings, due to winning both of their games outright (the Olympic standings give 3 points for regulation wins and 2 for OT/SO wins). This game will be important to determine who may get a first-round bye for the quarterfinals.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Surprises!
Two big surprises to report today.
First of all, the Canes beat the C[r]apitals 6-3 on Monday night. Yes, you read that right. Our pathetic, last place team beat the top of the league team. And not just beat, but laid out an ultimate smackdown - the Canes were up 3-0 after the first!
And let me strike from the record the comments I had about Eric Staal playing wing in the last post. Eric Staal can play defense for all I care, if he puts up five points while doing so.
Seriously, I am absolutely floored that this team was able to beat Washington like this. I believe this was their first lost in the Southeast Division - can you believe it?
Another thing that really surprised me was the Olympic team selections that came out today. The Canadian Olympic Committee must have been watching this past game, as Eric Staal made the team. The Finnish Olympic Committe mustn't have watched any Canes games as Jussi Jokinen was not selected to the Finnish team with his counterparts Ruutu and Pitkanen.
I feel really bad for Jokinen because I feel that he has had an excellent season (especially for being on this team) and I think he should have been credited with a spot on the team.
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and the Canes have their traditional game at the RBC Center. This year it's against the Rangers. Maybe the Canes will have some momentum going into it?
First of all, the Canes beat the C[r]apitals 6-3 on Monday night. Yes, you read that right. Our pathetic, last place team beat the top of the league team. And not just beat, but laid out an ultimate smackdown - the Canes were up 3-0 after the first!
And let me strike from the record the comments I had about Eric Staal playing wing in the last post. Eric Staal can play defense for all I care, if he puts up five points while doing so.
Seriously, I am absolutely floored that this team was able to beat Washington like this. I believe this was their first lost in the Southeast Division - can you believe it?
Another thing that really surprised me was the Olympic team selections that came out today. The Canadian Olympic Committee must have been watching this past game, as Eric Staal made the team. The Finnish Olympic Committe mustn't have watched any Canes games as Jussi Jokinen was not selected to the Finnish team with his counterparts Ruutu and Pitkanen.
I feel really bad for Jokinen because I feel that he has had an excellent season (especially for being on this team) and I think he should have been credited with a spot on the team.
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and the Canes have their traditional game at the RBC Center. This year it's against the Rangers. Maybe the Canes will have some momentum going into it?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The season is in sight
Hm... I guess I'd better update this blog, eh? I mean, after whining and moaning and groaning about the offseason - HOCKEY IS FINALLY HERE!
Yep, the Canes play their first preseason game this Friday. Training camp has already opened. But let's take a quick look back at what has happened in the remnants of the offseason:
- The Hurricanes prospects beat the crap out of other team's prospects. A good sign for the future, I think.
- Joni Pitkanen had knee surgery and is expected to be out 2-4 weeks.Can we never start a season without some defenseman having surgery right before? I swear, that's the tale we get every year.
- Speaking of defensemen, Bret Hedican announced his retirement.
-And, finally, according to Google Analytics, someone found this site by searching "real live hockey deaths". Which is not only slightly macabre, but also a bit of an oxymoron.
Aaannndd... that's it! The the games begin!
Yep, the Canes play their first preseason game this Friday. Training camp has already opened. But let's take a quick look back at what has happened in the remnants of the offseason:
- The Hurricanes prospects beat the crap out of other team's prospects. A good sign for the future, I think.
- Joni Pitkanen had knee surgery and is expected to be out 2-4 weeks.Can we never start a season without some defenseman having surgery right before? I swear, that's the tale we get every year.
- Speaking of defensemen, Bret Hedican announced his retirement.
-And, finally, according to Google Analytics, someone found this site by searching "real live hockey deaths". Which is not only slightly macabre, but also a bit of an oxymoron.
Aaannndd... that's it! The the games begin!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Live-blogging Phoenix v. Canes
Sooo... the Canes game is going on right now. And I'm at the computer (Instead of at the game, which I had tickets to, but couldn't go to because of the video game tournament fundraiser thingy I was a part of. Turnout was excellent, and totally worth not going to the game, something I'd thought I'd never say...), so I'm going to do my first foray into live-blogging!
The catch is I don't have a TV in this room. Just a radio. So... live-blogging on the radio... it'll be interesting that's for sure...
7:46 PM: It's 2-1 Coyotes. I missed the second goal, talking to my mom. Canes goal was scored by Eric Staal.
7:48 PM: I have no idea what's going on in the game. I can't hear the radio, someone's talking to me...
7:49 PM: End of period. I have to go look at shoes now. Live-blogging is failing so far...
7:54 PM: Slowly realizing the only thing I've consumed since lunch is a bag of cookies and a Coke. Off to get sustenance...
8:03 PM: Eating ice cream. Such a healthy dinner. Turning on the radio...
8:04 PM: Hooray commercials!
8:07 PM: Puck drop!
8:10 PM: Sounds like Cullen (I think) had a good chance. I get the feeling there's a reason no one live-blogs to the radio.
8:13 PM: "Goals have been hard to come by" - such an understatement, Chuck...
8:14 PM: Sounds like a good series for the Canes...
8:15 PM: If anyone happens to be reading this and wants to leave comments, feel free... I doubt that anyone is reading this.
8:17 PM: GOAL! From... Staal! Is that the second of the night? Yes, yes it is! Go Staal!
8:19 PM: Stoppage in play. I'm really cold. Probably because I'm wearing a T-shirt and it's freezing out.
8:23 PM: Hearing Pitkanen's name a lot tonight. I guess that's good. Anyways, another stoppage in play...
8:26 PM: Ugh, penalty on Babchuk. Sounds like the Canes were going on a 4-on-2, too...
8:27 PM: Shorthanded chance by Sutter - draws a penalty as well... apparently a marginal one from the sounds of Chuck K
8:29 PM: Shorthanded chances by Phoenix people... not good.
8:31 PM: Stoppage in play.
8:34 PM: Phoenix penalty. First Canes power play. Canes haven't been too bad on this recently - maybe that trend will continue?
8:35 PM: I can tell that if I was present I would be yelling "Shoooooot!" at the ice. OR the TV for that matter
8:37 PM: Doesn't sound like the PP's going very well... Or, rather, didn't go very well...
8:39 PM: GOAL! Staal has a hat trick!!!! Canes lead 3-2! Staal forgoes the line change to take the lead!
8:41 PM: Y'know, I've never thrown a hat on the ice for a hat trick... has anyone out there done it? Philadelphia had a really cool display on their concourse of all the hats that had been thrown on the ice - certain shelves were for certain hat tricks.
8:42 PM: End of period. Canes lead! YaY!
8:46 PM: Has anyone else checked out the pics of the bobbleheads they're giving out this season? Eric Staal kind of scares me.
8:49 PM: And it's possible that Tim Gleason scares me even more. Exactly who designed these nightmarish things?
8:59 PM: Aw... Staal passed Cole for the team hat trick lead. Still a mile away from Francis for the franchise record, though...
9:00 PM: Third period begins...
9:01 PM: Speaking of Cole, he's not doing too hot in Edmonton - only has 7 points in 20 games. Although, he always seemed to start off his seasons slow...
9:02 PM: I still wish he was on the Canes. Although, I like what I've seen in Joni Pitkanen.
9:09 PM: Stoppage in play. Trying to multitask and not paying attention. If it consoles you, it doesn't sound very interesting right now.
9:18 PM: I'm trying to figure out how to shorten this post, without shortening all of the other posts on the main page. It's not working.
9:21 PM: Staal is on fire tonight. Good to see him snap out of his funk with such goal-scoring prowess.
9:23 PM: Sounds like Walker was shaken up a little on the play...
9:25 PM: Sounds like a good shift for the Canes... and people didn't like Jovanovski tying up LaRose... I love hearing crowds boo.
Aaaaannnnddd... we're going down the stretch here in Raleigh...
9:28 PM: GOAL! Ray Whitney! Sounds like it was pretty much stolen by Brind'Amour who centered to Whitney. 4-2, hello insurance goal!
9:30 PM: Goalie's pulled for Phoenix.
9:31 PM: GOAL! Empty net! Whitney again, assisted by Walker! 5-2!
9:32 PM: What's the point of calling a penalty with 1 second left? What-ever...
9:33 PM: 5-2 Win! Canes win three in a row, two in regulation! Sounds like they played really well, which is good. And the whole radio live-blogging thing didn't turn out so bad... gave me something to do, at least...
Maybe a full recap tomorrow, maybe not. I'm just glad the Canes won, and I'm glad Eric Staal got a hat trick!
The catch is I don't have a TV in this room. Just a radio. So... live-blogging on the radio... it'll be interesting that's for sure...
7:46 PM: It's 2-1 Coyotes. I missed the second goal, talking to my mom. Canes goal was scored by Eric Staal.
7:48 PM: I have no idea what's going on in the game. I can't hear the radio, someone's talking to me...
7:49 PM: End of period. I have to go look at shoes now. Live-blogging is failing so far...
7:54 PM: Slowly realizing the only thing I've consumed since lunch is a bag of cookies and a Coke. Off to get sustenance...
8:03 PM: Eating ice cream. Such a healthy dinner. Turning on the radio...
8:04 PM: Hooray commercials!
8:07 PM: Puck drop!
8:10 PM: Sounds like Cullen (I think) had a good chance. I get the feeling there's a reason no one live-blogs to the radio.
8:13 PM: "Goals have been hard to come by" - such an understatement, Chuck...
8:14 PM: Sounds like a good series for the Canes...
8:15 PM: If anyone happens to be reading this and wants to leave comments, feel free... I doubt that anyone is reading this.
8:17 PM: GOAL! From... Staal! Is that the second of the night? Yes, yes it is! Go Staal!
8:19 PM: Stoppage in play. I'm really cold. Probably because I'm wearing a T-shirt and it's freezing out.
8:23 PM: Hearing Pitkanen's name a lot tonight. I guess that's good. Anyways, another stoppage in play...
8:26 PM: Ugh, penalty on Babchuk. Sounds like the Canes were going on a 4-on-2, too...
8:27 PM: Shorthanded chance by Sutter - draws a penalty as well... apparently a marginal one from the sounds of Chuck K
8:29 PM: Shorthanded chances by Phoenix people... not good.
8:31 PM: Stoppage in play.
8:34 PM: Phoenix penalty. First Canes power play. Canes haven't been too bad on this recently - maybe that trend will continue?
8:35 PM: I can tell that if I was present I would be yelling "Shoooooot!" at the ice. OR the TV for that matter
8:37 PM: Doesn't sound like the PP's going very well... Or, rather, didn't go very well...
8:39 PM: GOAL! Staal has a hat trick!!!! Canes lead 3-2! Staal forgoes the line change to take the lead!
8:41 PM: Y'know, I've never thrown a hat on the ice for a hat trick... has anyone out there done it? Philadelphia had a really cool display on their concourse of all the hats that had been thrown on the ice - certain shelves were for certain hat tricks.
8:42 PM: End of period. Canes lead! YaY!
8:46 PM: Has anyone else checked out the pics of the bobbleheads they're giving out this season? Eric Staal kind of scares me.
8:49 PM: And it's possible that Tim Gleason scares me even more. Exactly who designed these nightmarish things?
8:59 PM: Aw... Staal passed Cole for the team hat trick lead. Still a mile away from Francis for the franchise record, though...
9:00 PM: Third period begins...
9:01 PM: Speaking of Cole, he's not doing too hot in Edmonton - only has 7 points in 20 games. Although, he always seemed to start off his seasons slow...
9:02 PM: I still wish he was on the Canes. Although, I like what I've seen in Joni Pitkanen.
9:09 PM: Stoppage in play. Trying to multitask and not paying attention. If it consoles you, it doesn't sound very interesting right now.
9:18 PM: I'm trying to figure out how to shorten this post, without shortening all of the other posts on the main page. It's not working.
9:21 PM: Staal is on fire tonight. Good to see him snap out of his funk with such goal-scoring prowess.
9:23 PM: Sounds like Walker was shaken up a little on the play...
9:25 PM: Sounds like a good shift for the Canes... and people didn't like Jovanovski tying up LaRose... I love hearing crowds boo.
Aaaaannnnddd... we're going down the stretch here in Raleigh...
9:28 PM: GOAL! Ray Whitney! Sounds like it was pretty much stolen by Brind'Amour who centered to Whitney. 4-2, hello insurance goal!
9:30 PM: Goalie's pulled for Phoenix.
9:31 PM: GOAL! Empty net! Whitney again, assisted by Walker! 5-2!
9:32 PM: What's the point of calling a penalty with 1 second left? What-ever...
9:33 PM: 5-2 Win! Canes win three in a row, two in regulation! Sounds like they played really well, which is good. And the whole radio live-blogging thing didn't turn out so bad... gave me something to do, at least...
Maybe a full recap tomorrow, maybe not. I'm just glad the Canes won, and I'm glad Eric Staal got a hat trick!
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Canes are annoying me right now...
The Canes are seriously disappointing me right now.
I did not watch Thursday's meltdown against the C[r]apitals - I chose to go instead to my school's play, an $8 that was worth it both for the quality of the production and the fact that it kept me from throwing something through the TV, as I surely would have done at home.
Yep, the Canes went from leading, to tied, to losing, all within a little under three minutes.
Over and over again, I have stressed that the Canes need to play a full sixty minutes. Here's a perfect case in point.
And my mom says that I should just be happy that the Canes won last night. Yes, they won. Good for them. Came back from a 1-0 deficit in the third period.
But what about the first two periods? They played like crap. That was an utterly lackluster hockey team on the ice last night. To be honest, I'm getting sick of it. I want to see well-executed hockey for the entire game, not just a one-period flurry and the other two periods being merely okay. That's not a way to win a championship, that's for sure.
Granted, the Canes are missing a lot of people due to injury. Hopefully when we get Cullen & Pitkanen back, our power play will finally connect. But Rod Brind'Amour seems completely non-existent on the ice (maybe after-effects of his knee surgeries?), and Eric Staal looked like he took some bad allergy medicine or something - he was not playing anywhere near his best, it just looked like he was going through the motions out there.
A positive thing I have to say today? Well, Peter Laviolette, with the unimpressive win by his hockey team last night, became the winningest American-born NHL hockey coach, surpassing John Tortorella Good for him!
The next game is Sunday against the Thrashers. Hopefully they'll be able to start opening up Lavi's lead on Tortorella...
I did not watch Thursday's meltdown against the C[r]apitals - I chose to go instead to my school's play, an $8 that was worth it both for the quality of the production and the fact that it kept me from throwing something through the TV, as I surely would have done at home.
Yep, the Canes went from leading, to tied, to losing, all within a little under three minutes.
Over and over again, I have stressed that the Canes need to play a full sixty minutes. Here's a perfect case in point.
And my mom says that I should just be happy that the Canes won last night. Yes, they won. Good for them. Came back from a 1-0 deficit in the third period.
But what about the first two periods? They played like crap. That was an utterly lackluster hockey team on the ice last night. To be honest, I'm getting sick of it. I want to see well-executed hockey for the entire game, not just a one-period flurry and the other two periods being merely okay. That's not a way to win a championship, that's for sure.
Granted, the Canes are missing a lot of people due to injury. Hopefully when we get Cullen & Pitkanen back, our power play will finally connect. But Rod Brind'Amour seems completely non-existent on the ice (maybe after-effects of his knee surgeries?), and Eric Staal looked like he took some bad allergy medicine or something - he was not playing anywhere near his best, it just looked like he was going through the motions out there.
A positive thing I have to say today? Well, Peter Laviolette, with the unimpressive win by his hockey team last night, became the winningest American-born NHL hockey coach, surpassing John Tortorella Good for him!
The next game is Sunday against the Thrashers. Hopefully they'll be able to start opening up Lavi's lead on Tortorella...
Monday, October 27, 2008
Injury bug strikes again!
It's been announced that Brandon Sutter ended up with a concussion after the hit on Saturday night.
And, Joni Pitkanen is out 3-4 weeks because he must have surgery to repair a meniscus.
*facepalm* This is not news I wanted to hear.
Dwight Helminen has been called up from Albany to replace Sutter. Next game is tomorrow.
And, Joni Pitkanen is out 3-4 weeks because he must have surgery to repair a meniscus.
*facepalm* This is not news I wanted to hear.
Dwight Helminen has been called up from Albany to replace Sutter. Next game is tomorrow.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Canes look lame; lose
Canes lost their first preseason game last night against the C[r]apitals 4-1.
They played like crap pretty much the entire time. The game was boring, nothing really exciting or cool happened during it.
No one really stood out, either, except for Joni Pitkanen. He didn't really seem to make much of a presence on the ice - but then I would look to see who took a nice shot and it would be him. Maybe he's like a ninja - you don't see him until he strikes!
Anyways, Niclas Wallin looked like crap. He was a -2 on the night, too.
And the injury bug bit again - Gleason's out with some sort of leg injury. YaY.
Apparently the Canes are tied in their rematch against the C[r]apitals tonight. Hopefully they'll get their act together before the season starts. And hopefully they'll stop getting injured!
They played like crap pretty much the entire time. The game was boring, nothing really exciting or cool happened during it.
No one really stood out, either, except for Joni Pitkanen. He didn't really seem to make much of a presence on the ice - but then I would look to see who took a nice shot and it would be him. Maybe he's like a ninja - you don't see him until he strikes!
Anyways, Niclas Wallin looked like crap. He was a -2 on the night, too.
And the injury bug bit again - Gleason's out with some sort of leg injury. YaY.
Apparently the Canes are tied in their rematch against the C[r]apitals tonight. Hopefully they'll get their act together before the season starts. And hopefully they'll stop getting injured!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Seidenberg signed
Canes locked up another defenseman today, with Dennis Seidenberg signing a one-year, $1.2 mil contract.
This is in addition to Joni Pitakenen (*mumbles something about Cole*), Anton Babchuk, and Josef Melichar.
Now, the Babchuk thing really surprised me when I first heard about it. I didn't expect him to be coming back to play for the Canes if he ever came back - and I didn't think we'd give him a million dollars to do so.
But, looking at some of the other defensive contracts given out this year, I guess a million dollars is pretty cheap.
I wish I would get a job where a million dollars was a low salary. But I digress.
Anyways... Chad LaRose filed for arbitration. I hope whatever wrinkle they hit in those contract negotiations will be ironed out by the arbitrator. I can barely imagine a team without Cole, but without Cole AND LaRose? That would just be too cruel.
This is in addition to Joni Pitakenen (*mumbles something about Cole*), Anton Babchuk, and Josef Melichar.
Now, the Babchuk thing really surprised me when I first heard about it. I didn't expect him to be coming back to play for the Canes if he ever came back - and I didn't think we'd give him a million dollars to do so.
But, looking at some of the other defensive contracts given out this year, I guess a million dollars is pretty cheap.
I wish I would get a job where a million dollars was a low salary. But I digress.
Anyways... Chad LaRose filed for arbitration. I hope whatever wrinkle they hit in those contract negotiations will be ironed out by the arbitrator. I can barely imagine a team without Cole, but without Cole AND LaRose? That would just be too cruel.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
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!
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!
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