Erik Cole Breaks Through with Hat Trick: Hurricanes 5, Canucks 3
by Bob Wage on Dec 5, 2009 11:32 PM EST
40 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes, (6-17-5) put an end to their five game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, (16-13-0) on Saturday afternoon at the RBC. Erik Cole netted the first hat trick of the season for the last place club. It was Cole's sixth hat trick of his career and his first in two seasons.
Manny Legace earned the victory and now leads all Carolina goalies with three wins.
The Canes had a lot of jump and for the most part played a very good game as they surged to a 4-1 lead after two periods, but fans got nervous as the Canucks would pull within a goal later on. With the score 4-3 and visions of another meltdown on many minds, the Canes killed an incorrectly called penalty, added an empty net goal, and hung on for just their third regulation win of the season.
The first period seemed to be a fairly even one, although the 'Nucks outshot the Canes 14-7. Keep in mind the home team had to kill two penalties during that time frame as well. Vancouver started the scoring off when Jannik Hansen would squeeze one by Manny Legace.
It looked like a softie, but Legace said afterward that the puck ticked Joni Pitkanen's stick and just got by him. He called it "bad luck".
It didn't matter though as Ray Whitney roofed a backhander past Andrew Raycroft just 20 seconds later to tie the score. Whitney had a great game, chipped in with two more assists, and was a pest all over the ice.
Eric Staal had a beautiful point blank chance during the period, but tried to over-fake and ended up too close to the crease as Raycroft stopped him easily. Staal had a very good game, but that was a move which seemed to indicate that he has little confidence in his shot. Normally, he would try a wrister in that situation from 10 to 15 feet out.
Steve Yzerman and a couple of others from Team Canada's brain trust were in the press box monitoring Staal's game. They could not have been too disappointed as the Carolina center finished with two assists, four shots on goal, and a +1.
The Hurricanes came out with a vengeance in the second period and jumped out to a 4-1 lead. At one point, they were out-shooting the visitors by an 8-1 margin.
Erik Cole started things off with his first goal, a perfectly placed wrist shot on an odd man rush. He had a similar chance in the first period as well, but just missed. Ray Whitney and Tim Gleason had the assists.
Sergei Samsonov then found himself all alone with the puck in front of Raycroft. He faked the goalie and also roofed his shot to make the score 3-1. Tuomo Ruutu and Matt Cullen worked to get a turnover at the blue line and created the opportunity.
Cole would get his second goal of the night on a strange play as the Canucks lost track of the puck in the crease and ended up putting it into their own net. It looked like defenseman Willie Mitchell might have kicked the puck in, but it was hard to tell. Raycroft might have put it in himself.
Number 26 joked afterward that while he took his buddy out to dinner the night before, "it was not that expensive of a dinner."
The third period started out all too familiar for the home team. The last time they took a 4-1 lead into the third period eight days ago against Atlanta, the Thrashers lit the lamp five straight times and won the game 6-4.
Once again, the Canes appeared to go into defensive mode and the Canucks were able to hold the puck in the Carolina zone for what seemed to be minutes at a time. Ten minutes into the third they scored their first goal of the period, then would score again less than five minutes later.
The Hurricanes called timeout to re-group, but faced real adversity as Sergei Samsonov was called for high sticking on a freak play as a Vancouver player was hit in the face with the puck. Samsonov tried to hit the puck in the air but missed and replays showed that he never touched the Canuck. But the ref didn't see it that way and the winger went to the penalty box with just 2:57 left in the game.
Last month or even last week, the team might have allowed the adversity to overcome them and submit to a tying goal, but not so on Saturday. They killed the penalty and as Vancouver pulled their goalie to keep the pressure on, Cole would score the empty netter to seal the deal.
The Canes now go on a very rough four game road trip as they will visit Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Washington, and Ottawa before returning home for a rematch against the Dallas Stars on December 16.
Game Notes:
- Carolina is now 5-2-2 when they score three goals or more. The problem? They have scored two goals or less 19 times this season and have a record of 1-15-3 when that happens.
- Matt Cullen has now scored in five consecutive games. He displayed a couple of breathtaking moves and played another overall solid game.
- Legace made several tough stops as Vancouver would periodically put heavy pressure on him. Coach Paul Maurice was happy with his game and said that the goalie is a real battler. "But, he has to be", the coach added. The Canes will need to make a big decision this coming week concerning their goalies when Cam Ward returns. Let me just say that opinions were mixed in press row on what will happen. More about this soon.
- The team didn't have many chances with the man advantage but converted one of two opportunities. They remain at 29th in the league at that important statistic.
- Carolina was given credit for 41 hits although it did not seem to be that physical of a game. The 'Nucks only had 20. Tom Kostopoulos led the way with seven and Scott Walker looked no worse for wear with five.
- The fourth line of Brind'Amour, Yelle, and Walker looked good although that might be the oldest line in the NHL. (someone said the average age is 36).
- Joni Pitkanen led the way with very reasonable 24:43 of ice time. Low ice time for the team was just over 10 minutes for Walker. Maurice will probably need to continue to spread the ice time and play four lines as the games come up fast and furious next week.
- Jussi Jokinen was scratched although Maurice said that the Finn wanted to play. The coach held him out because he was not 100% and probably the worst injured of the forwards. But while Chad LaRose had good jump this game, the coach might want to switch places between these two.
Here is some post-game video of Manny Legace meeting with the press.
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I was there and Binky earned 2/3rds of that hat trick. Now if he can maintain that level, I might be impressed, but 1 outof a couple hundred games is still pretty weak. While Staal had two assists, he wasn’t impressive in my book, so the Staal/Binky combo for once had numbers but seems more like lady luck. BTW, the goalie scored one of Coles goal and was unassisted..
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Wasn’t the goalie. It was on top of Willie Mitchell’s boot. When he flailed his leg, it slid off his boot and slowly into the goal.
That’s also why no whistle. It was visible the entire time to the referee correctly positioned behind the net.
Finally, sure it was a fluke goal, but it wouldn’t have happened if Cole hadn’t jammed it into that tangle of defenders, so it’s his goal by me.
I failed to mention that Cole hit the pipe on a nice move in the third, so maybe things evened out.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Elsker, the replays at the rink and the ones I have watched tonight are more indicative of the goalie thinking he had it in the glove and as hew snatched it up he flung her back. Either way, yours or mine, Cole putting a coin in the gum ball machine doesn’t equate out to a goal.
I will grant you are positive and i am negative, though. I will also grant the results nullify much argument, 3 goals is three goals.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Oh and for my opinny on the goalies ( iknow you all care). Legace hands down is Wards back up. I was worried about Legace and the 2 way deal and Leights isn’t, but tonight the team won against a team that should of crushed them, good effort from about everybody, Legace included. I think that that has to be the overiding factor in the choice. One of the only 6 wins, was goalied by Legace, pretty much the stat that counts.
My .02 anyway.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Lavi picked up right where he left off…
Mean, but true…
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
And of course first game in, and against the Cap no less, I fully expected the ‘ef-ers’ to roll to an easy smothering win
With Pronger, Timmonen, Carle in the backfield, Lavi’s run and gun system should be successful. It’s the goalie’s that are killing them. That, and the karma from RIchards hit on Booth that is still exacting vengeance.
Go Canes!
LAVIOLETTE, LEIGHTON, AND LAVI'S CREW
I think keeping Legace is a no-brainer decision. I am guessing that Laviotte will be interested in obtaining Leighton as a goalie (hope springs eternal). I wonder if Laviolette will try to reassemble some of his character Hurricane veterans. The Flyers have tremendous talent. They seem to lack somewhat in the area of leadership.
My guess is that Laviolette takes his shot at obtaining Walker. I think he will try as well to get Whitney. He may try for LaRose as well — for his boundless energy and hustle. I wish Laviolette well. He has an abundance of talent at his disposal in Philadelphia.
A Dog, with a team like that it would be hard to imagine him wanting any of our corpulent rotten pieces of putrified fruit. If hge does good for us, but proves he’s an cretin.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Lavi and his Guys
I agree with you that if I were the coach at Philadelphia, I would be happy with the talent level. On the other hand, the Philly locker room seems to be in shambles. The Hurricanes have emphasized character as a key component and some of the trade candidates have enormous character. By the way, rumors are flying on the various blogs that Jim Rutherford is shopping various veterans:
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/car091206.html
December 6, 2009 // 12:58am ET
Hurricanes shopping veteran players
TheFourthPeriod.com
Having already completed one trade this week, the Carolina Hurricanes are looking to pull the trigger on additional moves, sources tell TFP.
Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford is believed to be actively shopping the likes of veterans Scott Walker, Ray Whitney, Niclas Wallin and Aaron Ward, all of whom are in the final year of their respective contracts.
Of the four players, however, only Ward does not have a no-trade clause. As a result Walker, Whitney and Wallin would need to approve any deal the Hurricanes try to make.
It’s uncertain, at this point, if the Hurricanes would entertain the thought of trading center Rod Brind’Amour.
Brind’Amour, who does not have a no-trade clause, has one-year left on his contract beyond this season at a cap hit of $3.6 million.
My guess is that Rutherford is shopping: (1) A Ward; (2) Wallin; (3) Walker; (4) Leighton; (5) Whitney (if the deal is right). I am also guessing that Rutherford would trade either or both LaRose and/or Samsonov for the right situation. With respect to Samsonov, he has tremendous talent. Last night, his goal was awesome. I continue to think Samsonov could rekindle his days of glory at Boston with the right line and with work on his confidence by the coaching staff.
It is perhaps way too obsessive even for me, but my wife noticed and I have confirmed she is correct that Samsonov has a tick or habit with the puck. After three quick touches of the puck on the stick, he looks down to check the puck and everything comes apart. As long as he keeps his touches to no more than three at a time, he is an all-star. Beyond three he has a hitch/habit and tenses up his hands. As a side note, imagine Cole with Samsonov’s hands and Jokinen’s moves.
I would agree Legace seems more competent than Leighton.
Doubt Philly would take more than one of our players.
Very, very, very much doubt they would want Leighton.
by drifterscape on Dec 6, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
2 things about refs
Good: amazing patience and correct call on the goal situation. It could be easely stopped. full credit to the ref here.
Bad: Samsonov’s call at the end…
All above is my personal opinion.
Thanks,
Andy_S
by Andy_S on Dec 6, 2009 9:25 AM EST via mobile reply actions
The most frustrating thing to me was how four officials couldn’t see that was all puck. Seemed All the homer fans instantly knew.
Letting the initial call stand seemed more about never admitting your wrong than calling the game correctly. Sad statement about the NHL.
by drifterscape on Dec 6, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
Even if it was the stick, it was after Sammy had made contact with the puck so it could also be called “follow through”. Either way, shitty call.
Go Canes!
Calls like that are why you keep your stick down when the puck is near another player’s face.
Well, that and the risk of seriously injuring them if you actually do make contact.
That 17-year-old Hokie sitting in the rafters in Greensboro didn't see any of this coming.
I heard the post-game interview and Mo said this would happen. He said something like the 6th D-man spot would rotate amongst the Rats to give them all experience.
by drifterscape on Dec 6, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
While I wish Rodney could stay and get some exper. I think this rotation idea is exactly what is needed. Forwards, too. I’d like to see about every guy on the squad get a send down to make room for a call up. Give some dam needed perspective. May also give some non producers a home.
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Umm this makes no sense, unless it is about throwing the season. We need a pmd to stand in for corvo, not another stay at home pylon. Grrrrrr
by wylde4canes on Dec 6, 2009 10:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Rodney sent down
Well, he had some turnovers and defensive errors (as had A. Ward!!) but Rodney showed some speed and decent puck handling skills in the 3rd a few time. So, let him go back down and mature a bit.
Harrison was steady, solid at the point. Nothing flashy.
Go Canes!
Your last statement speaks to what has sunk this team. Harrison is the safe choice. Safe is death. I’d rather us flame out going for it than lose a one goal game playing conservative.
These blown third period leads have less to do with age and more to do with playing conservative with a lead.
by wylde4canes on Dec 6, 2009 10:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Third Period Blown Leads
I keep trying to figure out why the coaching staff is so stubborn about the third period, “protect the lead” type of system. There are a few explanations:
1. The least kind explanation is that they are not very bright, stubborn, and arrogant. In this perspective, they just refuse to see the obvious due to a lack of hockey sense. 14,000 people stare out at the rink and see how badly that approach works with this team, but three coaches a few feet away from the ice rink stare in blank befuddlement and confusion.
2. Another explanation is much less ad hominem. Under this perspective, Maurice has discussed with Francis, Rowe, and Rutherford the system Maurice/Francis feel is needed to win a Stanley Cup and to beat teams like Pittsburgh, Washington, San Jose, Chicago, Detroit, etc. That system includes playing a more defensive game when the team gets the lead under the theory that in the playoffs it is suicide to run and gun with Pittsburgh or Washington. As such, even though it is painful in the short run, the idea is that the team has to learn know how to protect a lead in order to be competitive next year and in 2011-2012. In other words, it is a long range plan and not short term stupidity that is driving the decision.
3. The third explanation is that the players are so tense and “fragile” that when they get a lead they lose energy fretting about the consequences and worrying about the hole they are in right now. In this perspective, the coaches and management are ready to scream in agony, but have to maintain their composure.
4. The fourth explanation is a combination of (a) a fierce adherence to the desire to instill a certain way of playing with a lead; (b) the sense that it is somewhat foolish to run and gun this season and then try to inculcate another system next year; © players who are worried sick about the team’s horrible start and their own career.
4. The
Ya know A, your posts don’t mean much if you aren’t going to adequetely explain youself, LOL!
Good observations!
by wylde4canes on Dec 6, 2009 11:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
3rd Period Lockdown
Good points.
The main problem with this system is that we don’t have the defense for it. If at some point we get Ward back 100% and make some serious improvements in the stay-at-home department it may work, but for the time being it is an insane strategy.
My main problem with this coaching staff is the inability to adjust. I gave them a lot of slack in the beginning of the year for player problems (injuries, underperformance), but have become really disillusioned watching them make really poor choices with what they have to work with. Look how long it took to cut Brind’ Amour’s time for instance.
The real issue is the Canes are not built for sitting back
Their strength is speed and attack, attack and attack and after you do all of that, you attack some more.
The argument that it’s player positioning I think is like saying I think the 6’2" playing center in b-ball doesn’t stay in the paint enough or that the driver should take his stock car higher into the turn in a F-1 race.
The Canes are built for speed and to be on the attack. Now that I looked back, I think that’s what killed us vs the Pens. The Canes need to keep things in the other team’s end and on the few rushes that are going to occur, trust in Cam or whoever to block it.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
Amen and going with the size and geriatric crew killed our game. Hence last friggin’ place. There was guy preaching that all summer if I remember correctly..
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
My main problem with this coaching staff is the inability to adjust.
This was also one of the chief knocks on Lavi….he got fired for that.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Dec 6, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
but the harrison/ward pairing was a nightmare.
i feel like we are heading back in the direction of 0-14 (remember that half that streak was built with harrison and ward togrtheron DEF and cam WARD in the net.)
Using this Season to Give The Albany Rats a Taste of the NHL
I think it is a great idea to be using this season to let the talent in Albany get a taste of the NHL. Sutter came back this year a man on a mission — he was going to prove to the coaches that he had earned his spot on the team. Riding buses and driving oneself to the game (i.e. Tlusty and passport/immigration issues) is a tremendous motivator.
The coaches and management have to start detailed planning about trades and draft choices. They need to see the Albany players in the context of NHL games to help assist them.
Harrison has to show that he can play with defensemen who are not Speedy Gonzalez type puck-movers. For example, as noted in post by chrisj a Harrison/Ward pairing sounds like the making of a nightmare. I feel positive A. Ward is not returning next year; however, Harrison has to prove he can carry his own weight - even when paired with Wallin or A. Ward. What better way for Harrison to prove he will swim and not sink than to pair him with a defenseman who can’t cover for any mistakes Harrison makes.
New Ray Whitney Rumor -- Whitney to Buffalo
I know there are an endless number of rumors to be read. Here is the latest Eklund rumor — Ray Whitney to Buffalo:
Ray Whitney to Buffalo (e4), Jack Johnson to Pitt(e3), More Flyers
December 6, 2009, 1:37 PM ET [12 Comments] AddThis
Eklund
The Anonymous Hockey Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT • Bio
Quick hits for a snowy Sunday…
3 sources, one an EXTREMELY reliable Buffalo source, have told me that the Sabres have serious interest in Ray Whitney out of Carolina.
From an email from a source…“The Sabres are preparing to be buyers in a huge way. Whitney and Frolov are two names I know when you write this our fans are going to say that they have heard this before, and I can understand their skepticism, but the Sabres are in a perfect spot right now and the Division is there to be had.”
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