Carolina Holds on to Beat New Jersey, 3-2
by Bob Wage on Jan 7, 2009 2:12 AM EST
12 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes jumped out to a 3-0 lead, then held on as New Jersey made a game of it late in the third period, 3-2. The victory was the fourth in a row for the Canes, their longest winning streak of the season.
The Hurricanes took an early lead on a goal by Ray Whitney, just a minute into the game. Rod Brind'Amour picked up a loose puck, took it behind the net, and found Whitney cutting toward the net. "The Wizard" made no mistake, potting his first goal in six games.
The score remained 1-0 until close to the 15 minute mark of the second period.
With Zach Parise in the box because of a delay of game call, Joe Corvo made a move to the net, then passed to Sergei Samsonov. The Russian sniper has been red hot of late, but proved to be a bit lucky as well on this play as he rifled the puck toward the crease, hoping to find Tuomo Ruutu. Instead, the puck bounced in the net off of Jersey defenseman Paul Martin, and the score was 2-0, Carolina.
The goal was Samsonov's 200th of his NHL career. He has also now scored six points in his last four games.
The Canes opened up the third period with good puck movement and pressure. About midway through the period, they finally accomplished what they had been trying for as Eric Staal made a move deep into the Devils zone, then left a drop pass for Anton Babchuk. The Canes defenseman, who has suddenly found an offensive touch the past few games, made a nice move faking out Clemmensen, then sent a pass to Tuomo Ruutu who was cutting in toward the net. Ruutu was open and beat the goalie, making it 3-0.
New Jersey had not given up on the game though, and neither had their coach. After the Hurricanes were called for their first penalty of the game, a roughing call against Justin Williams, Brett Sutter pulled his goalie for an additional attacker, and the Devils scored while on the powerplay making the score 3-1. Paul Martin lit the lamp, his third of the season.
The Canes seemed slow to realize that there was an empty net on the other end, and did not take advantage. A couple of times it appeared like they cleared the puck without attempting a shot.
Coach Sutter would give them another chance though, and pulled his goalie again when Samsonov picked up a hooking penalty. This time the Hurricanes were obviously trying to take advantage, but could not put the puck in the net.
Jersey was putting on their best pressure of the night, but the Canes were equal to the task until the final seconds when the Devils crashed the net and scored again on a Patrik Elias shot. Once again, the Devils net was empty during the fray.
The Hurricanes have now won 6 of their last 7 at home and 8 out of their last 11 overall. The win gives them 47 points and helps to keep them at seventh place in the conference.
Game Notes:
This was the first game since February 6, 2007 that the Hurricanes have played without someone being injured. Carolina suffered at least one man-game lost over the past 140 regular season games.
The team had a good chance or two to score their first shorthanded goal of the year, but failed to capitalize on the New Jersey open net during the third period penalty kills. They remain one of only three teams in the NHL without a shorthanded goal this season. I believe that Atlanta and Florida are the other two.
Matt Cullen had a great night in the faceoff circle winning 11 of 15 draws. Rod Brind'Amour won 50%, 9 of 18.
Tuomo Ruutu, Dennis Seidenberg, and Tim Gleason led the team with four hits each.
Tim Gleason and Anton Babchuk led the team with four blocked shots each. Seidenberg had three.
Once again, Joni Pitkanen led everyone with over 28 minutes of ice time.
You could say that the Canes beat the Devils at their own game as the home team pushed everything to the outside and played a low risk style of hockey most of the night.
Brett Sutter showed a lot of moxie pulling his goalie with over six to seven minutes to play in the game. It almost worked out for him.
There was much hoopla over the father versus son aspect to this contest, but Brandon Sutter laughed about it after the game. When asked if his father would critique his game later when they spoke, he answered that if his father was paying attention to what he was doing out there, that's probably the reason his team lost.
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“Moxie”….
Can’t remember the last time I saw that in print.
A
by Paladin6 on Jan 7, 2009 3:58 AM EST reply actions
Great game…watched it on Center Ice. The Devils announcers had the “moxie” to call the Hurricanes’ style of game essentially boring and safe. Pot…meet Mr. Kettle..you invented this style of play. Sheesh.
Is it just me or was every player on the Devils larger than every player on the Canes? I thought our guys outplayed their guys throughout the game but any battle on the boards resulted in our guy getting smooshed until another one of our guys could come dig out the puck. Then he’d get smooshed, etc.
—Justin
by Justin Walther on Jan 7, 2009 8:33 AM EST reply actions
Canes played an excellent patient game last night.. .Ward was excellent again…great effort. Let’s hope they don’t drop they level of play down to Florida’s level on Thursday and play like they did last night against Boston
by Bad Boy on Jan 7, 2009 8:36 AM EST reply actions
They had the proper plan last night. They out-conservatived (that’s not a word .. lol) the Devils. Plain and simple, Carolina’s back end is much more talented offensively and defensively.
by Cory on Jan 7, 2009 8:49 AM EST reply actions
Yeah the Canes did exactly what they had to do to win last night. Good transition game and just be patient. They got pressure on the Devils D as well which made a huge difference. Ward was solid again. Sutter had some interesting, although effective, coaching strategies by pulling the goalie with 7 minutes left to create a two man advantage. Babchuk is looking more confident every game. Let’s keep it going.
by Adam on Jan 7, 2009 9:53 AM EST reply actions
Watching the final 6 minutes of the game was extremely nerve racking. I kept thinking about the philly game and giving up 4 goal lead. 4 game win streak feels good! Time to dominate florida.
by blacklisted on Jan 7, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions
Another good game. Their confidence is definitely showing more and more. Now it helps that we’re beating a team like them. And 4 in a row!? That had me dancing in the car all the way home. :-)
Oh, did anybody else see that little move that one of the New Jersey guys did in the first period when he flipped the puck over the back of the net and it landed right in front of one of their players right in front of the net? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like New Jersey, but that was a sweet move.
by T-Leaf on Jan 7, 2009 10:42 AM EST reply actions
o yeah Brindy needs a round of applause. He was +1 last night!
by blacklisted on Jan 7, 2009 10:42 AM EST reply actions
I really enjoy watching the 4th line or as I have started calling it the EBS line. Emergency Broadcast System = Eaves, Bayda, Sutter. Anytime we need a jump they are there. Great win last night!!
by puckheadjones on Jan 7, 2009 10:55 AM EST reply actions
blacklisted,
I actually thought the same thing while I was there but then I quickly remembered that Leighton was in goal that night so I figured we were good. HAHA
I liked the way the lines were skating together and also I liked Williams effort last night.
by Jonathan on Jan 7, 2009 11:35 AM EST reply actions
I like the EBS thing too, the Emergency Broadcast line! I’ll drink to that!
by TylerA on Jan 7, 2009 12:30 PM EST reply actions
I really like Sutter. I hope he can mature into one hell of a player for us. I could really see him in a couple of years anchoring that 2nd line at center for us.
Nice to see the Canes win. I thought that their win streak was up, but I am more than happy to be proven wrong there!
by Ivan on Jan 7, 2009 3:48 PM EST reply actions
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