As an aside, Dwyer reassinged to Albany. Great stint for him here. Getting close to healthy … not many excuses to make today.

I guess that answers my Dwyer/Brookbank question.

First intermission-

So far it’s the same story different day for Carolina. They allow a goal on an odd-man rush right as Tampa leaves the penalty box.

Canes out-shooting Tampa 12-7, but are officially 0-3 on the powerplay.

Team is credited for 7 hits compared to 14 for Tampa. Brookbank is yet to step foot on the ice.

O boy. Let’s hope something changes soon!

Wow…you can’t say the Canes didn’t outwork/outplay the lightning in the first period…yet gave up the only goal. We just cannot catch a break.

And I sure hope the refs get graded and these jokers won’t ref in the playoffs. They could have called too many men…and barring that, should have called offsides. I love the announcers saying “well…the fans sure think that was offsides”. Its OK “Chief”, you can announce the obvious even if its against your team.

OK, “too many men” penalties happen by accident once in a long while – but this team has had 3 in the last 4 games, I believe. To me, that is a sign of the team either not paying attention, or the coach having his communication fouled up. What gives? That is a stupid penalty for a team to take, especially a team that takes too many stupid penalties as is, as well as not killing them effectively enough.

“Something is rotten in Denmark” – or Raleigh.

Good response, some tough work pays off and then Brind’Amour makes no mistake. Smith is playing pretty solid so we just have to get some traffic on him and keep firing away. I think Samsonov has looked pretty dangerous at times. Keep up the good work boys!

Too many men on the ice call ruins another Canes powerplay. Lightning score their second goal during a bad line change and the Canes feel that Tampa had too many men on the ice just prior to that.

Brookbank scores on his first shift of the game. (Perhaps not his first shift. He had 1:41 ice time in period after none in first) Brind’Amour follows suit shortly afterwards and the Canes have new found life. 2-2 at the second intermission.

Carolina outshooting Tampa Bay 26 to 18.

well good on Cam stoning Jussi Jokinen. That Dude is like money in the shootout!

We needed that win. Hopefully we use it as a stepping stone.

Ward played outstanding today! What a couple of great stops in the shoot out! I hope he can continue his great form because the Canes will go only as far as he will take us! Good game all around today except for the couple stupid penalty!

Oops sorry I meant to post this…

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRINDY ON HIS 50th PLACE IN HOCKEY HISTORY.

Maybe 50 rocks after all.

“Who would you play? An enforcer who averages about a minute of ice time per game, or a utility player who is good on the penalty kill?”

I realize Dwyer got sent down, but this was the right choice for a change. Maybe if PL gave his 4th line a little more time on ice, they would produce something for him. It might also keep the ice time for his first 3 lines down, and might, repeat might, save some the Canes late game meltdowns.