Corvo Works Magic - Canes 2 Panthers 1, OT
by Bob Wage on Dec 19, 2008 2:23 AM EST
11 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes came out in the first period skating hard and never looked back as they defeated the Florida Panthers, 2-1 in overtime last night at the RBC. Not only did the Canes outshoot the Panthers in each and every period, but they held the advantage in time of possession and scoring chances as well.
In the opening period the Hurricanes had jump. The home team drew three penalties and had 16 shots on goal. They were finally able to grace the scoresheet on the third powerplay as Justin Williams scored his first goal in over a year. Williams found himself alone at the doorstep, made a couple of moves, looked for an opening, and with sharp-shooter precision flicked the puck past Tomas Vokoun.
The game remained 1-0 until the third period when Williams was attempting to make a play at the blue line while on another powerplay. His pass was intercepted just as Cory Stillman was leaving the penalty box and Kamil Kreps fed him perfectly. Stillman put his patented move on Cam Ward, and the goalie slid into the net along with the puck.
The score remained tied until late in overtime, when Joe Corvo improvised his way through the Panthers zone. At one point he was knocked down, but got up, slipped to the front of the net and backhanded a beautiful shot over Vokoun for the game winner. It was a highlight type of move that will probably be shown on several sports channels today.
Rod Brind'Amour recorded his 700th career assist on the play. Brind'Amour made a nice play keeping the puck in the zone, just earlier.
The Hurricanes have now earned points in their last six games, 3-0-3. They have also won three straight games at home. Carolina's record since the coaching change is now 3-1-3.
Game notes-
The Hurricanes had a total of 37 shots on goal while the Panthers had 20.
But this is not your father's Florida Panthers anymore. The visitors looked like a pretty good team. It's no wonder they won 5 of their last 6 road games before last night. David Booth is a beast.
In the second period, Tim Gleason did not like the way Greg Campbell checked Ryan Bayda and challenged him to a fight. Gleason pummeled him throughout.
Brandon Sutter had his first career NHL fight in the third. Noah Welch was roughing him up in the corner and Sutter turned to face him and they both squared off. No haymakers were thrown, but the rookie did not get hurt which is always a plus for a newbie. It's good to see the kid stick up for himself. Also, he has not looked timid at all since being knocked out by Doug Weight earlier this season.
Joni Pitkanen seemed to be living on the ice, but it was Dennis Seidenberg who led the team with over 32 minutes of TOI. Pitkanen always looks calm, cool, and collected out there and had another solid game. On one play, he single-handedly skated through four Panthers and was still able to get a decent pass off which almost resulted in a goal. The Finn led the team with 6 shots on goal.
Tuomo Ruutu had the most hits, (5).
The team played a great defensive game and blocked a total of 17 shots. Seidenberg led the way with 5 of his own.
The biggest difference that I can see since the coaching change? The team no longer looks lost in their own end. Remember when other teams used to hold the puck in the Carolina zone for minutes at a time? Remember when the Canes used to aimlessly throw the puck anywhere and everywhere in an attempt to clear it and they racked up countless icing calls? Those days seem to be gone now as the team looks more and more organized and proficient at passing and/or skating the puck out of their zone.
Next up for Carolina will be a trip to Boston, who has been nearly unbeatable at home this year.
____
Obviously, the team was happy in the locker room after the game. Eric Staal talks about Corvo's goal and the win.
Rod Brind'Amour is asked about his 700th assist. He talks about waiting for Corvo to shoot on the game-winner.
Joe Corvo talks about his goal. "You can't plan stuff like that. I thought there would be a goalie in net, I'm not sure where he went".
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I liked that game. I like your article, the stand out statement to me though is about Booth. Jeezuz that guy is something. Anyway, all in all, that was more of what I was expecting from this team. Boston will be a water shed game. We give or take a shellacing like Detroit gave to the sharks and it will be either real good or real bad. If we can go toe to toe with them and lose a squeaker, say 3-2 that may still be a moral victory and help build momentum. No matter what, Boston will be ready, it’s going to be a tough game.
A
by Paladin6 on Dec 19, 2008 6:18 AM EST reply actions
great game to watch.
if pitkanen had scored when he walked through those three defensemen that game would have been perfect.
things are lookin up.
-chrisj
by chris j on Dec 19, 2008 7:39 AM EST reply actions
this is from puck daddy
Ondrej Pavelec (13 shots, 6 saves), Pascal Leclaire (17 shots, 12 saves), Vesa Toskala (11 shots, 7 saves), Tim Thomas (23 shots, 18 saves) and especially Evgeni Nabokov (28 shots, 22 saves and a couple of long-range goals) where among the lowlights on a bad night for many goalies.
not so for cam ward.
he has looked great lately.
cant to play boston!
-chrisj
puckdaddy link:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Thursday-s-three-stars-Krejci-tricks-Leafs-in-w?urn=nhl,130274#remaining-content
by chris j on Dec 19, 2008 7:45 AM EST reply actions
Some notes on some folks not mentioned above. Really buzzing last night to me was Scott Walker. He seemed to be finding holes in the D all night and nearly
Carson, was quiet but totally serviceable, and on more than one occasion put his body to use. This alone makes him a better cog in the machine than Babs.
Also, even though he did not crack the scoresheet, I thought Staal had a quietly solid night. Sometimes it is just the fact that he draws double coverage that can create space for others….
O yeah and to echo what has already been said, you really noticed every shift Booth took, that guy has a Cole-esque set of wheels and a wicked little shot!
by wylde4canesHatesJR on Dec 19, 2008 8:38 AM EST reply actions
Isn’t Booth amazing? He doesn’t have the greatest hands, but he’s a dynamic skater and, with time and space, has an above average shot.
by Cory on Dec 19, 2008 10:12 AM EST reply actions
Effin BOOOO! according to LSB Carson is back with the rats.
by wylde4canesHatesJR on Dec 19, 2008 10:26 AM EST reply actions
It was awesome to see Gleason manhandle Cambell after he hit Bayda. It was like watching a 7th grader beat up a 1st grader!
Nice to finally see his mean streak.
by blacklisted on Dec 19, 2008 11:40 AM EST reply actions
Last nights game was encouraging! The team has really looked like they are buying into Mo’s system and it looks like it really fits this group of guys well.
They are allowing Ward to see the puck and he has been playing great because of that! He also has made the big saves when he needed to.
All of the big time players are starting to come into form. I heard Brind Amour say last night in an interview that he liked that under the new system they were actually HOLDING on to the puck rather than dumping and chasing. I think that is working much better!
I personally think the best is yet to come.(Or at least I hope so!)
by Jonathan on Dec 19, 2008 11:55 AM EST reply actions
People who were at the game: Do you agree with me in thinking the announced attendance that was 14,533 is entirely too low? Compared to other nights that seemed closer to 16 easily.
by Logan on Dec 19, 2008 1:04 PM EST reply actions
carolinahurricanes.com is saying Corvo made history last night
“it was the first time in franchise history that a defenseman scored back-to-back game-winning goals.”
pretty darn cool.
by neaux on Dec 19, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions
It seemed to me like there were more than 14,533 there. The two sections where family members (of players and employees) usually sit were only about 1/4 full but every other section in the lower bowl looked packed and the club and upper levels looked to be about 90-95% full as well…
So I don’t know… the attendance has gotten better over the past couple of weeks….
by Mateo on Dec 19, 2008 4:13 PM EST reply actions
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