Hurricanes Newsstand — May 27
by Cory Lavalette on May 27, 2009 12:17 PM EDT
in Hurricanes Newsstand
68 comments
The Carolina Hurricanes season didn't end the way the team or its fans wanted it to, but looking back everyone will remember the team's battle to return to the postseason, a miraculous Game 7 win at New Jersey, and Scott Walker's redeeming overtime winner in the series-deciding game in Beantown, not the disappointing finish to an otherwise surprising and inspiring season.
Best of luck to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Canes Country: Unseemly End for Carolina - Pens 4, Canes 1 • A Snark-Free Tribute to the Pens
News & Observer: Pittsburgh sweeps Carolina from playoffs • DeCock: Tough calls ahead for Carolina • DeCock: Tough calls ahead for Carolina • Talking Points: And so it ends • No announcement on Maurice yet • Along for the ride
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins put final touch on 4-game sweep • Penguins sweep back to Stanley Cup final • Penguins' dress rehearsal for trophy display • Penguins Notebook: Let the comparisons start ... • Cup credentials daunting
NHL.com: Without an answer • Crosby defies superstition • Jordan wins battle of bros • 'Canes leave it all on the ice • Penguins-Hurricanes series blog
From The Rink: Dan Bylsma: From role player to leading the stars • Penguins return to the finals
Puck Daddy: Two Princes: How the Penguins conquered conference again • Tuesday's Three Stars: Penguins rally for the sweep • Video: If this were Little League, Cam Ward's your right fielder
WRALSportsFan.com: Stories, video and audio
850 The Buzz: Keep The Prince of Wales, We’ll Take The Chin • Carolina Hurricanes Swept From Conference Finals
CarolinaHurricanes.com: Canes' Run Ends Against Pittsburgh • Big Decisions to be Made Soon
ESPN.com: Celebration? Not yet, says these Pens
USA Today: Pens headed to Stanley Cup Finals after sweeping 'Canes • Trade deadline acquisition Guerin back in Finals after 14-year hiatus
0 recs |
68 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I wonder how long it will be before the team discloses injuries…. we all heard coach Mo talk about Ray Whitney’s finger last night…. but I’m curious as to what everyone else was playing through…. (cam ward???)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions
In games 2 and 3
what I think they were playing through was a fog…..
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
I could be mistaken, but I thought one of the announcers said Cam was dealing with a back injury throughout the series? Anyone else hear that?
Still not a crook!
that would explain the “fluke” goal from last night….
But why would they play Cam if he is injured when Leighton was perfectly healthy?
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you answered that question midway through your sentence.
by Cory Lavalette on May 27, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
No…. it’s still a mystery to me…. if Leighton was on the bench perfectly healthy….. and Cam was injured….. is an injured Cam Ward REALLY better than a healthy Michael Leighton???
I’m not blaming any of this on Cam at all…. don’t get me wrong….
Perhaps if Leighton goes into game 3 (for example) and that forces the defense to play smarter and better in front of him….
I mean…. I guess we can ask all of the “what ifs” that we want now…. right???
you know how they say…. if ifs and buts were candy and nuts…….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
is an injured Cam Ward REALLY better than a healthy Michael Leighton???
yes
by Cory Lavalette on May 27, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
is an injured Cam Ward REALLY better than a healthy Michael Leighton???
No ,don’t forget Leighton won some huge games for us in the reg. season.
I was at the game in San Jose that Leighton won for us…. (with Brind’Amour and Staal both injured)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless you’re suggesting that Leighton wasn’t healthy either…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Leighton is healthy, it just doesn’t seem to me like management has any confidence in him. But what good is a backup if you never play him? If they have no confidence in him, then they should get someone else. They rode Cam Ward almost 30 games in a row down the stretch and then every game in the playoffs. He was bound to wear down eventually.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Leighton needed to play a few more games
at the end of the regular schedule. The problem was the ’Canes felt they needed every last game.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
I was at the pregame skate on Saturday of game 3 and Ward did not practice with the rest of the team. I made some calls to see if anyone of my hockey contacts had heard why he would not be practicing on a game day after 3 days of rest, no one had heard anything. Then John Forslund reported on 99.9 The Fan after game 3 that Saturday evening that Cam Ward was skating injured, but said he could not disclose the injury. It all made sense to me then why he didn’t practice. I assumed it was his groin issue he was dealing with like he had in the past when he was out those 2 or 3 weeks back in the fall/winter. I guess it was his back instead.
I’m sure it was one of the toughest calls for Cam and Mo/JR on whether they had Ward vs Leighton in net. If we lost with Leighton, we all would have always thought that we would not have lost even with Ward injured. Tough call, I think they did the best they could with that decision at the time. It is what it is and I accept their decision for myself. I hate it for Ward though.
It was not a good time for the defense not to show up for Ward in game 3. Having said all that this playoff was like a drug to me. I remember thinking back in March “if we could only get to the 1st round I would be happy even if we lose” THEN, I wanted more…“If only we could just show everybody we could get to the 2nd round and even if we lose to Boston, it was the 1st place Eastren Conference team and everyone would understand, THEN, I wanted more…”if only we could beat Boston we would show the NHL and everyone they will have to respect our team and game…THEN , I wanted more…“if only we could just shut down Malkin and Crosby and show everybody who’s super stars were the best”, Then…Sweep with the rug right out from under my heart and soul.
I had the greatest moments and tailgates of my sports life with family and friends these past 6 weeks and would not trade them for anything, sweep or no sweep.
Thank You Canes and organization for this playoff season, What do you say, we do it again next year?…I want more.
C
AMEN!!!! There will be more buddy……
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps if Leighton goes into game 3 (for example) and that forces the defense to play smarter and better in front of him…
What could it hurt…. if Leighton went in after the pens pulled ahead and they scored 3 more goals then it would have still ended 6 – 2…..
But if he went in after the pens pulled ahead and our Defense was forced to play better in front of him (because that is what teams often do w/ their backup guy in) then there is a possible shift in momentum at the very least…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions
I agree MCL we should have faith in our back-up for times just like Saturday and used Leighton. This team needs to get a back-up for next season that we can depend on when called. A team cannot stand alone on one goalie for as long as we did Ward and not eventually have something happen just like what did happen occur. Even if we had made it to the SC I doubt Ward could have survived a series with Detroit or Chicago injured. Unfortunately we now are looking at it with 20/20 hindsite vision. It really sucks for us now.
I’m sure nobody feels worse about it than Cam Ward…..
Either way…. our guys have so much to be proud of…. they didn’t get the result they wanted…. because everyone plays to win the Stanley Cup…. but the truth is that our guys weren’t even supposed to be in the conversation…. but they were…. and they never quit…. and that is something they can build on for next season….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Arrrh. I hate that email- just checked my hotmail account and the NHL has kindly offered a 20% discount on all Hurricanes merchandise- I know why they do it, but it makes me feel like they are rubbing it in the day after our last playoff game!
by PittsburghCaniac on May 27, 2009 5:45 PM EDT reply actions
Changing the subject to non-hockey off-season matters:
a couple important questions:
1 – When is the Staal baby due and are they expecting a boy or girl? Do they hope to deliver in NC or Canada? A first grandchild would pretty much give him a lock as his parent’s favorite son, even if Jordan gets a Cup party in Thunder Bay this summer. (been there, done that)
2 – Are there any other babies expected amongst the team? Seems like Ward should be ready to spawn. Might be a pleasant (as in: putting it all in perspective) distraction.
Keep me posted, will ya?
maybe you could start a ladies blog...
“As the Hurricane Rotates…” or some such, ;-) and keep us up to date with such important personal personnel matters. Heck, that could be something Cory and Bubba could consider adding a special correspondent for.
Love, love, love the Canes!
Great idea….thanks for the suggestion
(wait a minute – were you being sarcastic ?)
;)
by hockeymomof2 on May 27, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I cannot find a way to congratuate Pissburgh.
Ok, so I had no real feelings either way about the Pens going into this series. Now that the series is done, I know why Bill Cower has chosen to root for our team and not this Pens team. It is clear they are a bunch of disrespectiful, errogant, cheap shot artist, holier than thou, bunch of punks. They are cry babies. They were clearly helped along by the league. There were at least 5 calls that did not go the Canes way in that game last night. Punctuiated by a clear trip right in front of the Canes goal. This was not any different than what I saw in the first two rounds. To get by such biased officiating, you have to be at peak performance. The Canes were not in top physical form. It was obvious from watching the team last night that Cam was not himself, Ray Whitney was not right, Roddy looked very slow(that knee), Erik Cole looked banged up. Pitkanen was out of sorts and Joe Corvo was a man that thought he needed to do it all. Chad LaRose was either hurt or not wanting to jeopardize his payday. Rutuu was out.
The Penguins looked like they were on Steroids. That is what entered my mind while I was watching them. Strategy wise, they were using the middle of the ice in the offensive zone( power moves that the Canes rarely use). Their game was east to west while the Canes were north and south.
I will not root for the Penguins. Bill Cower roots for the Canes because they conduct themselves within the rules. Our team is the blue collar team. Not those puff bunnies from Pittsburgh. If I was a Pens fan, I would be embarrassed by that team. I am convinced that the Canes need a Scott Stevens type of player next year to just plant one or both of those cream puffs. All it would have taken is just one good legal check to put that team in line. The alternative is a free wheeling style that we saw. That is not an option. Like it or not, when Scott Stevens laid Ronnie out, that was the series.
Really it was like the womens hockey auxillary on the Pens side last night. That is what is so dreadful. Beaten by that team with those guys.
I thought it was a very entertaining year. No banners for final four though. Thank You guys.
Changes for next year…..
1) LaRose not resigned. Boychuk in.
2) Cole resigned for the same 4 m….
3) Roddy, retires replaced by Sutter.
4) Bayda signs somewhere else.
5) I see one trade Kaberle and Babchuk for a high quality hard hitting Aaron Ward type.
6) Seidenburg not resigned.
Lets go Red Wings…………..
1) LaRose I would have to agree with you, I dont see him staying in Carolina…probabably going to be a dinero $$ issue.
2) signing Cole for 4 mil- I surely hope not, he isn’t worth 4 million, and given the fact that the Canes were willing to trade him earlier, I dont think that they do either.
3) Roddy retire? I wish- Rod the Bod will probably be back and minus infinity again
4) Bayda, wouldnt be surprised there
5) Who knows
6) Yep- can sure see that as a possibility.
Go Wings!
by PittsburghCaniac on May 27, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I would bet that Rod Brind’Amour will be way way way better next season…….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
rod is one of those defensive forwards that changed the game, much like federov. HoF’r in my opinion
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 27, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I would love to agree with you- but I just don’t see it happening. On that note- prove me wrong and laugh at me later- I would be awesome to see him make a comeback and do well. :)
by PittsburghCaniac on May 28, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
there are no flukes in a 7 game series. the better team won. officiating does not cost a team four games in a series. poor play does. ofcourse you are entitled to your opinion and lots of pens fans myself included congratulated the fan base and the canes for a hard fought close series in which the final scores never really indicated how close the games were. I will leave it at that. i have had some fruitfull and enlightining discussions with many fans on this board and do not want to rekindle a flame war.
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 27, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
my only issue with this post
Really it was like the womens hockey auxillary on the Pens side last night. That is what is so dreadful. Beaten by that team with those guys.
as in two of the top 5 skaters in the league (sid and Geno). one of the top 10 (maybe even 5) goalies in the league. one of the great finishers in league history (bill guerin) a perinial 30 goal scorer playing the third line(miro satan) one of the top 10 offensive defensemen in the leauge (gonchar), two of the best shut down defenseman (brooks and gill) in the league as well as one of the top defensive centers in the league (jordan).
yeah creampuffs
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 27, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
The better team definitely won- no question about that. After the series I surely looked liked the dumba$$, because the pens fans kind comments made me eat my words. I agree with you oldtime.
by PittsburghCaniac on May 27, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
im not trying to be a jerk here im simply saying the better team won and some of those really good discussions about styles of play, officiating, and general energy we great. you guys should be very proud of how your team played. but at the same time when you say
It is clear they are a bunch of disrespectiful, errogant, cheap shot artist, holier than thou, bunch of punks. They are cry babies. They were clearly helped along by the league.
. or
Bill Cower roots for the Canes because they conduct themselves within the rules.
so do the pens and that why penalties are infact whistled. the incident with ruttu (spell fail?) was extermly unfortunate. and most of the pens fans were expecting a suspension for cooke with the cole hit. but given the history this playoffs the league couldnt possibly do that. but again i everyone is entitled to thier opinions and freedom of speech, no matter how ludicrus someone else thinks it is. But if ken really thinks the league handed the series to the pens, so be it. the league didnt hand the series to us, your defense did.
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 27, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s all water under the bridge now…. the Pens out played us for most of the series and that is why they won….
We’ll be fine next season…. Go ‘Canes…. (we’re always proud of our team)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's say it took all I had to
congratulate the Pens. Yes they won but I wasn’t happy with what happened to Cole and Ruutu in Game 1.
I will be rooting, when I decide to watch the SCF which won’t be often, for the Dead Things.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
Oldtime- first and foremost, I respect your comment. But, this is a moot point. Kens opinion of the Penguins is “probably” (I will not speak for him) similar to mine- I do not like the penguins team. For me, it wasn’t because of this playoff series- I just do not like the Penguins and cannot stand Crosby- its my opinion.
The problem is, you can argue back and forth about it all day long. But, all the whistles have been blown, and the goals have been scored- it is worthless to continue this thread. As you noted, these are opinions. Why do you think you can change them? Why do you seek to do so? Why are you still here worrying about what we think? Who are you to decide what denotes a ludicrus opinion versus true clarity?
Additionally, regarding your analyzation of previous comments, in the tense and stressful momments of the playoffs, comments written by die hard fans are indicative of their then present emotions and feelings. There is no authority behind you reproducing those comments and emphasizing them as representations of all caniacs- they only represent the person that wrote them. To ask other fans to answer to them is absolutely ridiculous. I have written more stupid comments on canescountry than the average canes fan- numerous of which I am not proud of. If you were to post my prior comments and judge the other canes fans based upon them, I would be horrified- because my comments do NOT represent what other Canes fans are necessarily thinking.
In conclusion- Ken is entitled to his opinion, move on, it is a moot point- go watch the stanley cup finals- because your pens truly deserve to be there.
GO CANES IN 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by PittsburghCaniac on May 28, 2009 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions
make no mistake
i am by no means judging any or all canes fans based on kens opinions. i also stated that he is entitled to those opinions. like i have said numerous times it was a much much closer series then anyone other then those who watched the games will really know. if you would read the last two scentences of the 715pm 25 may post i put up there i accepted his opinion although i do not agreee with it.
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 28, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
corrrection, 27 may post
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 28, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, it is my opinion.....
To say that bad officiating cannot cost a team a series…………ridiculous. The sports world is rife with examples of one call costing a team a series. Obviously if the league wants to influence a series, the officiating is the way to go. One powerplay one way or the other can decide a game. The Canes were the least penalized team in the league this year. We get to the playoffs and suddenly we are one of the most penalized teams? That doesn’t add up. I have been watching this game for 35 years. I can tell when a ref is favoring one team over another.
My other point is that it would not surprise me to find out later that there was a steroid issue with this team. Crosby looks much bigger and more defined than last year and so does Malkin. I am not accusing….I am just saw things that tell me that just looked too good out there. I hope it was skill but I have my doubts. The fact that the Canes looked tired and the Pens were as fresh as children makes me wonder too. These teams are very comparable. It just doesn’t have the ring of reality. Hope for the league I am wrong. Sometimes not winning the cup can make other options very tempting.
I was surprised to see my comment elicited such a response. I just call it like I see it. That team is dirty. Like rooting for Barry Bonds………. eeewww. Not this Caniac.
Even if I was a Pens fan, if we won the cup……….no celebration for dirty play as far as I am concerned. Oh by the way….. Boston played the same dirty style. New Jersey did not. That team was class.
That was priceless- one of my favorite momments of the 2009 playoffs!
by PittsburghCaniac on May 28, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I just want unbiased officiating. I was there the last game and what I saw was anything but unbiased.
That was embarrassing for the league. Next time just let the fans who paid 200 dollars per seat that your team has no chance so we can at least decide if we want to donate our money. Hell, I would at least like to have the option. If I find out that there is one official that has been bought off(like the NBA) I will never go to another game.
I don’t think it’s the time or place…. The Penguins were more than our guys could handle this time around….. we’ll be fine next season….
Go Red Wings (officially)
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 27, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Giddyup we will be- I am really hoping that JR has a higher budge to spend this year. A few key players/re-signings and we could be right back into the final four again! :)
by PittsburghCaniac on May 28, 2009 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Anyone see that the Bruins may host...
Anyone see that the owner of the Bruins is confident that they’ll host the Winter Classic at Fenway? No better time for them to look for revenge! I hope we can be their opponent.
Love, love, love the Canes!
That would be absolutely fantastic- although the Canes should be in the conversation of who should play Boston (should they host the WInter Classic), I bet that they won’t choose us because we are a small market team. They will probably choose a team like the Rangers, Devils, Pens, etc. But, it would be AWESOME if they chose the Canes!
by PittsburghCaniac on May 28, 2009 3:12 AM EDT up reply actions
If I had to guess, I’d say the Habs would be the other Winter Classic team.
by Cory Lavalette on May 28, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
You would have the power to play that up a bit there Cory.
You know Boston doesn’t want any of this!
Love, love, love the Canes!
by Caniac Jack on May 28, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
According to an article I posted under fanposts, they claim the Bruins will play either the Flyers or the Caps. My first guess would have been the Habs as well.
GM of CanesCountry.com
I can definitely see the Habs there- larger fan base. Caps though? I may be wrong, but I thought that they were a fairly small market team like us….with the exception of OV gaining a lot of media coverage.
by PittsburghCaniac on May 28, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
well, not just OV anymore, but the whole team – anyone else read the news out of somewhere in Florida…?
Who knows if it’s true, but wouldn’t that be a pisser for them (and everyone, really) if it were true. All that negative publicity might make them think twice about having the caps in the classic… the NHL doesn’t need a steroid scandal.
by Andrea's evil twin on May 28, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe I am wrong.........
I think one of the side affects of steroid use is a faster recovery. Might also explain a close 7 game series with Capitals. Is ovenchicken really that good? Look at old pictures of Gretsky in his prime……..the guy was a stick. Now look at these guys………Crosby was a stick now a thick dude. Malkin tall and skinny now an elite athelete? Please say it ain’t so,,,,,,,,,,, I don’t want it to be true. Hockey was my last pure sport outlet. I really hate womens college basketball…………
A leap of faith????
Is it much of a leap of faith that if the Caps are guilty than by the transitive law……….since the Pens beat the Caps…………they are guilty too?? Just saying…………
Nah, I dont think so, but I would not be surprised if Crosby were to be pumping up juice in his treehouse in Marios lawn. Probably unlikely. The bigger concern is, if some of their players are doing it, maybe someone on our team is as well. I hope Jordan didnt sell to Eric!!! JK :)
by PittsburghCaniac on May 28, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Eric did get big pretty fast…………when he talks he doesn’t have the stance……..like when Manny talked about steroids..seemed like a deer in the headlights.
A lot of these guys are boys when they come to the NHL. Manhood plus professional training equal a big boost in muscle mass. You need to be concerned when the guys’ upper bodies become V-shaped. That why I think Pujols is clean. He’s just a big dude all around. Huge thighs.
Like a few of the players in the WNBA?
I think some of them could match Arnie in his hey day.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
Thanks for the visual
I may have to kill myself now.
Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
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.
