Plenty of Practice for Powerplay - Canes 3 Habs 2
by Bob Wage on Dec 17, 2008 1:58 AM EST
14 comments
In a somewhat bizarre game where 11 penalties were called against the Habs in just the first two periods, Carolina took advantage of the practice time and scored three goals while on the powerplay and defeated Montreal, 3-2.
Eric Staal scored the first two goals of the game, both in the opening period. The first came on a perfect pass from Sergei Samsonov, who faked a shot and found Staal all alone at the doorstep. Joe Corvo created the opportunity when he made a nice play holding the puck in the zone. He was then able to scoot it over to Justin Williams who found Samsonov streaking in from the side.
With the point, Williams continued his "point a game" career streak against Montreal.
Later in the period, Joni Pitkanen stole the puck on an attempted clear and skated it in toward the crease. He found Staal, who was once again near the front of the net. The puck actually bounced in the goal off of the center's skate, but there was no kicking motion so the goal counted.
Early in the second period, Tim Conboy made an ill-advised play and lost the puck to Guillaume Latendresse who had a breakaway coming back to the Carolina zone. Joe Corvo tried to hinder the skater with a slash, but the Montreal forward was awarded a penalty shot. Latendresse buried the chance, giving the Habs new-found life.
Cam Ward remarked after the game that it was a perfect shot, it whizzed right by his ear.
Just about a minute later, the much maligned Alexei Kovalev ripped in a shot right off a faceoff, to tie the score. It was the first goal in 19 games for the alternate captain. The tally was the fourth shorthanded goal the Hurricanes allowed this season.
Many fans might have been thinking, "here we go again". The Hurricanes have not been very good at holding a lead in recent games, but at the seven minute mark while they were on a 5-on-3 advantage, Joe Corvo rifled in the eventual game winner. Staal was in front of the net for this score as well.
Montreal could not catch a break all night as later in the period, the Habs had a goal disallowed because it was hit in with a high stick.
The third period went back and forth and Kovalev had a nice chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but Cam Ward was equal to the task and the Canes held on to win.
The Canes showed good energy throughout the game and even though the powerplay looked sloppy at times, they were able to score enough to win. They were probably pleased that they caught a couple of breaks for a change, as well.
_____
Joe Corvo scored the game winning goal, led the team with over 30 minutes of ice time, and was named the number one star. Below is a video of his post-game interview.
_____
The media was surprised when Ron Francis showed up for the post-game press conference, usually reserved for the head coach. Are the Hurricanes sending a message? Here is a video of his first ever post-game press conference as a coach.
0 recs |
14 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I am trying so hard to be positive. We scored on the power play a few times last night. The big lanky kid looks like he’s sobered up or at least trying to find his game. He’s not there but, Eric showed up and payed for it. When he got smacked, we got a fight. Sammi, Joni, Corvo all did pretty well. I’d say there was a little flavor of team chemistry a boiling, too.
That said, if Prive and Saku were in there we would of lost. That was among the worst Habs games I’ve watched. We only scored 3 out of at least a dozen PP and a few 2 man advantages. The only better chance we could of got was tying sandbags to the Habs. If this team went up against a team like the Sharks/‘Hawks/ Wings we are in for a fanny smackin’.
Getting back to the sunny side (I reaaly am trying) that was close to a team effort. Got some guys back, got the all important 2 points and looks like we didn’t lose anybody. I hope we can roll off this one and get some momentum.
BTW, whoever paid the Ref.’s got the moneys worth.
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 17, 2008 6:27 AM EST reply actions
BTW, did Ron look like he was about to get an enema in his first post presser or what?
That was very interesting indeed. Maybe Rowe get’s the next one…..
So’s how’s Jonathon???
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 17, 2008 7:21 AM EST reply actions
I like the line combinations right now, hopefully Maurice will be smart enough to leave them alone for a little while. Do you think the word on Wardo is to go glove high? Seemed every shot was going top shelf.
by goalie matt on Dec 17, 2008 8:01 AM EST reply actions
I liked the effort for the most part. Definitely still sloppy and we took advantage of our opportunities. The PP still does not look good even though we scored 3 PP goals. But I agree it looked like some chemistry is forming.
As for the refs, yeah it was very lopsided but honestly every one of those penalties were good calls and the Canes just didn’t play lazy in that way to get called for penalties. Big game Thursday against FLA, hope we’ve built some momentum.
by Adam on Dec 17, 2008 8:12 AM EST reply actions
Tough game to watch — you could tell there was no flow when it went to 5-on-5. A really lazy defensive effort by the Habs.
Last night made me realize something I’ve been feeling all season but couldn’t put a name on. Even when the team gets ahead, there is never a comfort level. Even when they went up 2-0, I wasn’t thinking, “Great! A two-goal lead!” I was thinking, “They give up one, and it’s a one-goal game, then it could be tied on one bounce of the puck” (which is exactly what happened).
I like the lines, but I absolutely think it’s time to reunite Brind’Amour and Williams. You can just feel the chemistry between them. Yes, that means a lesser role for Walker, but a Walker-Cullen-Eaves line has kind of everything you want out of a line.
Conboy paid for his mistake. He didn’t see the ice again after it.
by Cory on Dec 17, 2008 9:15 AM EST reply actions
The game and seats were awesome! I had a blast!
I think all 5 goals were scored on the end that we were sitting.
Thanks again!
by Jonathan on Dec 17, 2008 9:47 AM EST reply actions
Ironically, when the power play looked sloppy in the first period, we got 2 goals. I thought the PP eventually got really crisp with lots of movement and some very decent chances but we didn’t score during those PPs (except for the 5-3). It just goes to show you that you have to accept the ugly ones knowing that even when you look great and are moving the puck around, it won’t always go in.
I thought Ward looked great all night. The 2 goals are hard to fault him on. The first…perfect shot. The second was a deflection (even though Tripp didnt say it) through a 2-man screen. I think someone said this after the Rangers game…if he plays like this he rest of the way we’re winning more games than we’re losing for sure.
What can we do to get Eaves off the snide? The guy has been working hard and has gotten at least 2 grade-A chances in each of the past few games. He just can’t catch a break the same way Samsonov couldn’t earlier in the season. I’d like to see that Walker/Cullen/Eaves line.
Back to the power play…I think one of the reasons why it looked so bad was because no one could receive a pass. Williams had to have screwed up at least 10 times in a row right before finally making that desperation pass over to Samsonov before the first goal. He and Brindamour looked TERRIBLE on the PP in the first period.
All in all…I think if we play hard like that and outwork out opponents (thats what drew most of the penalties), we’ll be alright.
—Justin
by Justin Walther on Dec 17, 2008 10:18 AM EST reply actions
Although there was much to be improved upon last night, I still really enjoyed watching the game. I think our team is starting to turn the corner. Although there was quite a bit of sloppiness last night, I thought the effort was consistent and I think that’s what led to all the penalties. Overall, I do think the effort has been much improved since Mo came back. Maybe it’s just because the guys know that Mo isn’t afraid to throw a bag skate if need be, as opposed to Lavi always trying to motivate with positive reenforcement. Also, I was thinking last night that we’re much better in the neutral zone lately. So if we can get our blue line healthy and stay healthy overall, and continue to put forth the effort, good things could lie ahead.
by NoVa Caniac on Dec 17, 2008 11:23 AM EST reply actions
I disagree with putting Williams on Roddy’s line, unless you move Cullen’s line up to number 2. Walker and Whitney look pretty darn good together to me. Rod just doesn’t look like himself yet and neither does Justin, too much of a defensive liability to pair them up with Ray, none of those guys are winning the boards if you notice.
by goalie matt on Dec 17, 2008 11:29 AM EST reply actions
I think of the Brind’Amour and Cullen lines moving ahead as 2A & 2B, at this point.
by Cory on Dec 17, 2008 11:57 AM EST reply actions
Cory — those 2-goal leads remind me of the old ECHL. The scariest point of ANY game was when you had a 2-goal lead. I wish I had a dime for every one I saw slip away.
Back to the Canes — even with his reduced ice time, are we seeing continued improvement from Sutter? Is he getting most of his time on the PK?
by Archivalist on Dec 17, 2008 12:19 PM EST reply actions
I thought Sutter looked really good last night. He drew a penalty, laid a few hits, helped kill a penalty……Im with the majority here, I’d like to see more of him. He may not score but he does a LOT of little things really well.
by TylerA on Dec 17, 2008 12:27 PM EST reply actions
hmm sounds like you missed the game…no one paid the refs the Habs were as undisciplined a team last night as I have EVER seen. They could have been called for at least 10 other fairly obvious penalties but I guess the refs could not bear to keep calling them. By the way the penalty shot was totally boguss no way that is called a penalty shot in a normal game..totally an attempt to keep Habs in the game!
by Caniac324 on Dec 17, 2008 12:40 PM EST reply actions
234, I was tongue and cheeking that one. “Anytime” the habs are called the refs are paid off according to the hordes. I also agree the penalty shot was bone. I was more pissed about the penalty in the first place, he should of let him go and let Ward do his job rather than give up what should of been a PP. Instead they got a freebie shot. I thought it was an undisciplined penalty and the call sucked. Though when a goalie is hot anything is better than being a man down.
Anyway, just fyi on the “paid refs” thing.
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 17, 2008 4:53 PM 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.
