Signs of Life? - Flyers 2 Canes 1, OT
by Bob Wage on Dec 7, 2008 2:51 AM EST
14 comments
The Flyers handed the Hurricanes their fifth straight home loss and defeated them last night by a score of 2-1. Jeff Carter got the game-winner on a goal off of a faceoff with about a minute and a half left in overtime. The contest was a defensive struggle as the Hurricanes tightened up play in the neutral zone as well as in their own end, but the team continues to have trouble putting the puck in the net.
Newly recalled defensemen Casey Borer and Tim Conboy played solidly in their own end and didn't make any glaring turnovers or mistakes. Conboy kept the peace very well when he was on the ice, but did get called for an incidental high-sticking penalty in the second period.
Before the game, the pairing of Anton Babchuk and Joni Pitkanen might have concerned a few fans, but other than a couple of mistakes, all things considered they both played pretty well. Pitkanen was on the ice for 29 minutes and Babchuk played a season high 26.
The Flyers opened the scoring, (the 12th consecutive game the Canes fell behind), on a short-handed goal by Mike Richards. The puck bounced past Joni Pitkanen, then somehow got past Joe Corvo and Richards broke open on Michael Leighton and easily put it past the Carolina goalie.
The first period was filled with penalties and the Hurricanes looked unorganized and disheveled while with the man advantage. They failed to even get a shot off during one 4-on-3 sequence. Later in the period, Wade Brookbank dropped the gloves with Riley Cote and they had a spirited bout.
In my opinion, the second period looked a little flat. The Flyers outshot the Canes, 14-8 but the home team had a decent penalty kill for this game.
In the third period the Canes finally broke through on the powerplay as Ray Whitney found an open Sergei Samsonov and the sniper buried the puck in the open net to tie the score. Neither team had any tremendous opportunities after that, and the game went into overtime. Carolina had the edge in shots on goal in the extra frame, (5-3) but the Flyers made the shot that mattered the most and prolonged the Canes losing streak.
The players were fairly up-beat afterwards in the locker room. They were not happy that they lost the game, but felt like they were making progress.
Carolina plays again on Sunday, (today) in a huge game against Washington. If they lose this game, they will fall behind the Caps by 8 points, and the Caps have had their share of injuries (Semin, Green) just like the Canes. They will be tough to catch when everyone gets healthy.
Game Notes-
The Canes have lost six of their last seven games and five in a row at home. Under the new regime of head coach Paul Maurice they are 0-2, (0-1-1).
The attendance was a disappointing 14,061, very low for a Saturday night. (It was higher on Thursday night) The Canes rely heavily on walk-up sales right before game time, and right now they are not getting much. Obviously, the decision to hire Maurice has not created a buzz or jolted the interest of the casual fan yet.
Maurice was greeted by boos again while he was being introduced, but perhaps the fans were not booing him personally. It just might be that they were booing the decision to hire him more than anything else.
Does any other team in the NHL introduce their associate head coach before every game? The Canes never introduced Kevin McCarthy when he held the position, but they are introducing Ron Francis before every game now. Are they marketing this guy to be head coach, or just begging for any applause they can get?
Rod Brind'Amour was on the ice for both Flyers goals, picked up a -2 for the game, and has an NHL worst -22. Brutal. The captain was in the faceoff circle when Carter ripped in his game-winner.
Nic Wallin left the game last night limping and is doubtful for the Washington game. Coach Maurice did not know who would be recalled from Albany, but they will need another defenseman and will send for someone as soon as possible.
Joni Pitkanen has his detractors, but the kid might be tougher than advertised. A week or so ago, he took a high, nasty hit which most thought would knock him out of action for awhile. He returned and tried to play in that very same contest and ended up not missing any time as he came right back and played the entire following game. Last night he was roughed up a couple of times, but did not back down and led both team's bluelines with his 29 minutes. Now, if he could only be a step quicker to loose pucks.
The Flyers were absolutely gangbusters last night as they had 37 hits. The Canes had 23.
Faceoffs were about even for the game, (Canes 51%, Flyers 49%), but the all important final faceoff ended up in the Hurricanes net in overtime.
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I’m at the verge of giving up this season… As I feel many other Canian fans are as well. Maybe we SHOULD do horrible this season and pick up a good rookie for next season. ^^
by CaniacFan7 on Dec 7, 2008 3:52 AM EST reply actions
The new coaching is already apparent. That was one of the best defensive games this team has played this year. They really gave up just 3 high quality chances. The difference in the game was the still lack of confidence in the offense.
One example of the good play was the penalty kill. The perimeter defense was not just standing around. They all had active sticks and were pressing the puck handler. That alone made a big difference in the penalty kill.
There are several more adjustments that need to be made. This team has the capability to be a very good defensive team.
Leighton looked as good as we have seen. If they play like that against Washington today, they will come away with 2 points.
CaniacFan7, why give up? We call that a fair weather fan. Maurice is a defensive guy. Everything will play off the defense. That is what this team needs. The defense has great skill. They just need to be more patient for the breaks to come then take advantage.
Laviolette is a very good offensive minded coach. When you have superstars and great offensive speed, defense is simply not as important. That is not this team. Once the defense gets right, the offense will come.
The cup winning team was just special. Stillman to Cole and others put the opposition on their heals. This team cannot do that. They need to wait for mistakes then make the other teams pay.
Paul Maurice and Ronnie will get this defense straight then the rest will follow.
The fact is, this personnel is better suited to defense first then transition to offense. Laviolette’s style is better fitted to the Washingtons of the world.
Bottom line, a defensive coach is better for this team. Laviolette’s ideas simply did not fit his personnel. Good coach but not the best fit for this team. Good luck Pete.
by Ken on Dec 7, 2008 6:08 AM EST reply actions
Not trying to be argumentative here, Ken, so don’t take it as such. On Leighton, both goals were pretty brutal. Yes, one was a breakaway, but Leighton’s half poke check/half flop gave him no chance to stop Richards. It goes against everything good about how Leighton needs to play — using his large frame to minimize openings.
Also, the faceoff OT goal should’ve been stopped. Leighton needs to be ready for that shot, and he wasn’t — a total lack of focus. On the same note, I’d say there were more than three chances, but not many (maybe six good ones), and Leighton was good in the middle of the game — but both goals need a better effort, b/c that’s the kind of game a lot of goalies get a shutout from. I’m not trying to pin the whole loss on Leighton, b/c the team needs to generate more than one goal, but I was disappointed in his play. The defensive effort was very good, I thought.
Another disappointment — the N&O’s coverage. A quote from Maurice in the postgame along the line of “we need [Leighton] to stop that” was conveniently ignored by Javier Serna, who instead used a Whitney quote that took blame off Leighton for the game-winner. It’s a trend I’m seeing with his reporting that favors treating the team with total kid gloves. While there are some valid complaints to be made with Chip’s coverage vs. Luke’s, for the most part he still does a good job — it’s just hard to live up to Luke’s example. Serna, on the other hand — I don’t know if it’s a lack of familiarity with the sport or inexperience reporting on it, but I’ve found he’s fallen short in filling in for Chip. Perhaps he just needs more time, but I think he’s primarily an Outdoors writer and right now it’s a glaring issue in the N&O’s coverage when he fills in.
/end rant
by Cory on Dec 7, 2008 8:14 AM EST reply actions
Wow…can’t believe I forgot to mention this in the other thread…but what the hell was wrong with fox sport’s broadcast? They went into commercial 3x during the game…twice during a power play?!?! I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it was time warner’s fault since the commercials all had a time warner theme (i.e. shitty commercials and commercials for new14 carolina). I thought the first one was a fluke accident until it happened again…and again. Ugh!
by Justin Walther on Dec 7, 2008 9:28 AM EST reply actions
But hasn’t it always been the N&O’s slant to deflect blame from the goaltending and heap it on some other area? Serna’s not the only one doing it.
I still agree with you, Cory. Leighton hasn’t been using his size to his advantage, and he’s been doing a horrible job of protecting the short side. He’s never snug with the post. If he keeps doing this, teams are gonna score a bunch of bad angle goals by banking it in off his equipment and in.
And here’s a nit-picking thing… The Canes are 0-1-1 (rather than 0-2) in the second Maurice era.
by d-lee on Dec 7, 2008 9:35 AM EST reply actions
The short-side thing has been a problem with both goalies — though Ward’s has been more of a result of him getting caught cheating on a cross-ice pass when he needs to leave the pass responsibility to the D.
by Cory on Dec 7, 2008 9:53 AM EST reply actions
Guys,
Leighton has been using his size well. He will give up goals at about the same rate as Ward. He will give up more out of position goals because he is bigger and it takes more time to get back. Look at the save percentage. He will get better with more work. Goals against average is on the defense. I will take 2 goals against any day. He was surprised by the ot goal but still it was a nice quick deceptive shot.
The offense will be better as they see that they aren’t going to get hung out to dry if they cough the puck up. Its defense out…. I really thought they made some real improvement last night. We will see at 5:00 if the development continues. Hockey is a science. It takes a little while for everyone to understand the concept.
I for one cannot wait for tonight. They will score first tonight and they will beat the Caps. Brind’Amour should start to get it going under this new approach.
That point last night could be the difference between getting into the playoffs.
PLAYOFFS!!!! PLAYOFFS!!!! yes I said playoffs.
by Ken on Dec 7, 2008 10:14 AM EST reply actions
Yea, but….
Cullen came back and made a great save….lot’s of good little tid bits last night.
I think Leighton was weak, he should of had both of those goals stopped. That said he stopped a few that maybe should of been goals. Us on the other hand put some rubber on net. Staal HAS to pick it up, he’s getting pushed around like a girl. I know he’s better than this. I think the D did well with what they had. When the walking wounded return, I think we will see a turn around if we don’t lose the little momentum we have.
I think Leighton is having some kind of mental issue. He’s a better tender than he has shown the last couple games. He needs to get back in form. I think the D is on it’s way so that leaves the forward core. Some good plays, but the only scary line wasn’t our number 1 line for sure.
I think things are turning the corner. That game was a loss, but had good efforts through out most. Couple mistakes and missed opportunities and it went to the Flyers.
High spots were Cullen, Sammi, Ruutu, Joni, Corvo and Ray.
Low points were Leighton, Staal and Brindy
Babchuck was good and bad. Wallin was pretty good, but, now may be gone. That sucks the life out of the D and the team as a whole. Not that he’s the awsome player, but he is having a great year and working hard and, well, That widdles the D down to one good pair.
Gonna be tough tonight. If Staal isn’t in top form, no one else has the size and skill to stop AO and he is carrying his team right now. Our little skill guys will hamper him, but he’s good enough where he’s gonna stuff it dowm Leighton/Peters or whoevers throat.
Staal has to step up and he needs to do it now.
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 7, 2008 10:17 AM EST reply actions
I think erskin, Federov and Semin will play tonight and it doesn’t look like we get anyone back. I was hoping for at least Scotty and Frank….
Gonna be an ugly one if that’s the case. I was hoping they’d remain as beat up as we are.
crap
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 7, 2008 10:40 AM EST reply actions
I agree that Leighton has looked better in the past than he has the past couple of games. Although, last night was certainly an improvement over Thursday.
It figures that Semin would play against Carolina after being out for about a month. Why not?
by Bubba on Dec 7, 2008 10:53 AM EST reply actions
I didn’t think Leighton was bad last night, but at the same time, he should have had the OT goal. He was prepared—take a look at the replay and you can clearly see him widen his stance and get into a ready position for the shot— it just didn’t work out.
I thought the team looked very good. We need to work on our offensive game at the moment, and a lot of that is going to be a process… building confidence. We make backups look like Vezina winners because we haven’t had a quick release in far too many recent games.
by John on Dec 7, 2008 11:39 AM EST reply actions
Pitkanen is really frustrating me. He has some really good moments, but then seems to have a little mental lapse and turns around and does something completely bone-headed.
Bah!
Anyone else notice Babs taking some shots yesterday? Where did that come from? He needs to keep doing it!!
by Andrea on Dec 7, 2008 1:02 PM EST reply actions
I am not a “fair weather fan”. And I am not gonna give up, I just feel like doing it. 5 losses in a row is tough to handle. Especially with the other two 3 game losing streaks before this one. I guess we will see what Maurice can do tonight against the caps, but I am sorry, but I do not expect much…
by CaniacFan7 on Dec 7, 2008 2:37 PM EST reply actions
Babs has a cannon and he used to hit bodies. He had issues with managment, I hope he shines, he’s a big kid with a big shot, if he gets rounded into a good D man, he could be an asset.
I hope Joni will follow this advise more than anyone. Relax. His game is coming. He doesn’t have anything to work with on a consistant basis so his play will look streaky. He’s putting in max minutes, just shy of 30 (BTW, that will slow him down tonight, he’s gotta be pooped). When a guy like that is in a system that he is comfy with, he will be an assassin. I wish he’d hit once in awhile, but other than that I think his skill level is about as good as we have. Stuffs just to flaky right now to get settled. That’s Mo’s job, settle the lines and let the guys get used to and friendly with what’s going on. I think he will shine at that point. I think him, Gleason and Corvo are first tier grouping. No they ain’t Lidstrom and Rafalski, but I think if they had the chance to be solid and consistant they could be. If our forwards can’t score, though it doesn’t seem like the d is playing. We HAVE to throw up 3 goals a game to give the goalie and the D a chance to make the diff. We have the guys. 1 D man hits twine per game and 2 goals from the forwards. Then we get down to what this team can do. At that point Ward can steal a game. Special teams can steal a game (which we have almost none of). That’s the position this team needs to be in.
I can see these guys doing that. Hell they all used to. When (or on the down if) that comes back, these guys will go ape shit. You can’t win if you can’t score. Our guys ain’t.
I think tonight we score. Unfortunatley I know the craps will too. So it goes back to my formula. We need a goal buffer of at least three and somewhere we need to make something happen to tip the edge.
A-worth what ya paid for it.
by Paladin6 on Dec 7, 2008 3:48 PM EST reply actions
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