Things are looking up... or at least above .500

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

This is just pathetic

Let me just say that I chose a very good season to go off to college. It's a good thing that I haven't watched any of the last nine games, I think I would be ready to kill right about now.

I mean, honestly, it's hard enough listening to Chuck Kaiton. Take the 5-2 loss to St. Louis. I turned on the game a little bit late... and the Canes were down by 3 goals. Who wants to even listen to a game when your team is already down by three goals, and considering their last few games probably has no chance of coming back?

Quite possibly the only good things about the 6-1 loss to Philly and the 5-1 loss to San Jose is that Brandon Sutter, who was called up after the Ruutu suspension, scored both goals in those games. That's more goals than he scored all of last season (1). Obviously someone doesn't want to go back to Albany - and with the way everyone else appears to be playing, I definitely don't think he should.

Nine losses. NINE LOSSES! Even typing that I can't belive how far we have fallen. What do you say after your hockey team has lost nine in a row? Well, golly gee, I sure hope we win the next one?

There are limits even to my optimism. We have to see a full 180-degree turnaround here. You don't lose nine in a row and just have a few things that need to be tweaked. Fundamentals need to be changed.

But I can't leave my loyal readers with that unhappy though. The Canes have depressed us enough. Here's the good news of the night: ERIK COLE IS BACK IN ACTION!!!!

Mega-Recap-Post!

Didn't have time to post this week - wasn't near a computer and I've felt under the weather this weekend.

So it's time for a Mega-Recap-Post!

New Year's Eve the Canes beat the Thrashers 3-1 in a very sloppy game. The only reason I think the Canes won this one is because they were playing a crappy team like the Thrashers.

New Year's Day the Detroit Red Wings played the Chicago Blackhawks outside at Wrigley Field. I only saw the third period of this one, which means I really only saw Detroit whoop up on the Blackhawks - Chicago certainly lost that one. I really hope they continue to do these outdoor games - they are definitely fun to watch!

The next day the Canes beat the Blues 2-1. And, even though I attended the game, I can't remember anything important about it. Which says more about my current state of health than the game itself. But it was $1 popcorn night. So I feasted on some popcorn. Which was delicious. Especially at a dollar.

Then the day after that (aka yesterday) the Canes beat Tampa 3-2, which I also watched but can't remember a thing about now. Oh well, whatever.

If you want a laugh, (as if this meandering post wasn't enough), check out Alex Semin's "fight" against Marc Staal. I can guarantee you, my loyal readers, I can certainly throw a better punch than that nonsense...

Next game for the Canes is Tuesday against the Devils.

Chad LaRose stats (Saturday): 1 goal
On the season: 9 goals, 3 assists

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...

Canes play pretty well over weekend

Two games this weekend. One win and one loss. Sounds vaguely familiar, I'd say.

First game was a 4-3 win against Atlanta.
Michael Leighton played his first regular season Canes game, and looked pretty good in it. A little shaky to start off, but he got into the groove as the night went on.
Casey Borer got his first NHL goal. I want this guy to have a permanent spot on our roster. He's looking more solid than half the vets on our defense.

Next game was a 1-0 loss against the Blues.
Didn't watch too much of this game, but apparently the Canes played pretty well, but just couldn't get anything past the Blues goalie. Surprising that Leighton got the starts in both games this weekend.

Next game is Tuesday against the Bruins.