Staal Breaks Out as Canes Top 'Yotes, 5-2

On that Brandon Sutter play, besides almost scoring short-handed, he drew a penalty to negate the rest of the power play.

Pretty interesting last night. Every D guy played well over 20 minutes except Wallin who got fair minutes and Babchuck, who was a little off last night. Staal was the only forward over 20 minutes, I think. Sutter and Cullen both had minimal minutes, though Sutter was still a +2. Lavi is still messing with the lines a little. Most of the guys had a fair game or better. I said it before and it’s worth noting again, the D is leading the rush and the forwards are backing them up and also coming back when it goes the other way. I think if we can get to the point (pun intended) where they actually cover the blue line and keep it in more often, we are going to be hitting on all cylnders.

Another 2!!!

Go ’Canes!!!

A

Well, Phoenix looked pretty slow and disorganized.

I thought the Canes played good team defense. Brandon Sutter was excellent. I see this kid getting better every game he plays. Reminds me of Ronnie. He just sees the game differently. He is going to be a good one.

TSN rankes Phoenix 15th and the Canes 17th. Their rankings are so lame. They have been outside in subfreezing temps for too long and apparently smoking weed. Certainly the Canes are very much better than Phoenix. 17th? What the hell? I think they ranked the Canes 29th in 2006 preseason so ….. duuuhh uuuhh ddoow these guys are experts?

The team is coming together. There were signs over the past few games. When JW comes back, we will see the real canes. When he returns, they are a tweek away from being top 5.

Rod looked much more mobile and faster last night. I am relieved to see that, I was afraid his knee was too much to get over. One word …… WARRIOR.

Staal was due and he looked very relaxed and determined after that first one went in. Dominant.

Cam had some good stops. This was a game that didn’t require the spectacular save because of the great team defense(except the Babchuck cough up). That was the only bad play in the whole game.

They have shifted gears and still have two more gears to go. That was a fun night. Thank You guys.

So who do we need to rag on next? Cause apparently that works to get guys out of their slumps! Great game last night, I’m really liking this progressively improving thing. And watch out for Sutter! That boy is going to get him a few good short handed ones by the end of the season.

Hey T-Leaf is it to early in the season to rag on Chuckie(aka Babchuk). He looked scared or nervous every time the puck came around him.

Why did Staal score a hat trick after having been in a slump? In my opinion it was because he was trying to impress Wayne Gretzke. Staal is not self motivated. He has to have external motivators to play like a franchise player should. Staal got the Allstar Game MVP last season because he was wanted to shine as an All Star. He needs to get the job done day in and day out as a self motivated player. I just don’t think he has the temperament.