Canes Let One Slip to the Oilers, 3-1
by Bob Wage on Nov 1, 2008 6:33 PM EDT
4 comments
The Hurricanes took a lead in the first period, but could not take advantage of numerous powerplays and ended up losing the game on a goal by Ethan Moreau with about a minute and a half left in the contest. Moreau added an empty netter with 35 seconds left to add insult to injury.
Ray Whitney started the scoring off for the Canes, as he broke into the clear after taking a beautiful lead pass from Tim Gleason.
Toward the end of the period, Tuomo Ruutu laid a solid check along the boards which knocked down Denis Grebeshkov. Moreau, the captain of the Oilers took exception to the hit and immediately challenged Ruutu to drop the gloves. Moreau received an instigator and 10 minute misconduct for his trouble. The feisty Finn had 6 hits in that opening period, but was not credited with another one for the rest of the game.
Grebeshkov left the game and did not return.
In the second period, the Oilers took advantage of one of their few powerplays. Shawn Horcoff took a nice cross ice pass from Ales Hemsky, and put it on net. The puck got behind Cam Ward, then the goalie knocked the puck in the net as he closed his legs.
The goal put an end to the longest shutout sequence in regulation for Ward, 131:56, a career best. The previous regulation goal scored on him came at 19:49 of the first period in Montreal.
Moreau's goal, the one that mattered most got through the goalie on the short side. It is probably one that he wished he had back.
Erik Cole was a physical presence during the game, but only took two shots on goal. He wore poor Dennis Seidenberg out all afternoon. Cole was credited with eight hits.
No one seems to have an answer for the weak powerplay, but it is costing the Hurricanes points. Coach Laviolette said after the game that he was disappointed with the Hurricanes effort after the opening period. He called time out at one point in the second, and switched up the lines putting Samsonov with Staal's line and moving Whitney with Brind'Amour.
The team will be right back at it tomorrow as Toronto will be in town. It will be Hockey Fights Cancer night for Carolina and there will be other activities.
More later tonight.
0 recs |
4 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Good effort. We need to score more (obvious comment) Seemed like the air was let out when Ward allowed the cheap goal. Does any one else feel that Ward tends to leave the post too soon.
by NCYANKEE on Nov 1, 2008 6:57 PM EDT reply actions
The offense was anemic and that first Moreau goal is a killer to give up. Between that goal and the Kovalev goal earlier in the week, Ward is really struggling covering up the short side. It’s too bad, b/c he’s been pretty flawless otherwise.
by Cory on Nov 1, 2008 7:24 PM EDT reply actions
I wish people would stop sugar coating the teams play with the “good effort” or “they tried” stuff. Those are the things you tell your sons or daughters pee wee soccer team after they loose.This is NHL hockey and even if you loose a game 1-nill, something was bad in that game.
The Canes have no PP and it is eerily reminiscent of the o6-o7 seasons PP. They team also seems to lack any sort of hustle from periods of time. Like John Forslund said, they try to get to “cute” with the puck when they should just take that good shot. This team did not play a good game today. Ward kept them in it as long as he could. The offense is horrible and goaltending is not gonna score goals for you in this league.
The Canes better find a way to fix this, or team finances may become a hot topic in the front office.
by Ivan on Nov 1, 2008 11:47 PM EDT reply actions
I think Ward was the best ‘Cane and am surprised he wasn’t one of the “Three Stars”. The boys put a good first 20 in, but went back to the ol’ no drive type of play and it cost them. I have no issue crumbing on Ward when he isn’t playing well. He was pummeled with 60 shots the other night and kept us in it for a win, shut out St. Louis with good effort in front of him and he was the only reason the team didn’t smoked by at least 4 more goals. I’d say Staal had a bad game, he was not a force. For the first time this year Samsinov looked like he lost his effort after the second got rolling. That’s a shame, he’s been a hard working machine all year and just hasn’t got numbers. Rosie and Bab’s worked hard. I just saw the same stuff that we have all watched for two years. In consistant play, unmotivated players and disjointed play. We played better 5on5 than with the man advantage. It’s pathetic this team isn’t better. It’s a fair group of players that with the right glue should/could be a pretty good team.
Looked rather empty and the crowd was pretty still. It alls boils down to money. Ivan is Johnny On The Spot. I think there is a pressure cooker building up.
BTW, I noticed in the Detroit game the glass that seperates TT from our bench was gone. It was gone again last night. Anyone know why it’s taken out this year? Not that I wouldn’t enjoy a puck to the mellon of TT, but was curious. He and Leighton were talking most of the game and he wasn’t watching the ice like Leighton. He’s gonna pay for that sooner or later.
A
by Paladin6 on Nov 2, 2008 7:56 AM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Canes Country
Related FanShots on Canes Country
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- In which former NHL coach Ken Hitchcock foils a shoplifter
- Montreal's Price talks new 2-year contract, expectations post-Halak
- Donald Fehr aware of Kovalchuk drama, mum on everything else
- Puck Headlines: Savard's agent rants on Bettman; Halak in Montreal
- Boudreau, Crawford placed on the coaching hot seat
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
