Back in the Saddle Again - Quick Update

by Bob Wage on Jun 8, 2009 12:32 PM EDT

Vacation is over for this blogger and it's time to get caught up on Hurricanes news. But is there any? It looks like the entire staff at "Canes Now" went on permanent vacation and there is nothing new to report from Carolina Hurricanes.com. We will start digging and see what we can find. The draft is coming up in a couple of weeks and July 1st will be here before you know it. The Canes have plenty of work to do, so there must be some kind of life over at Edwards Mill Road.

The Stanley Cup Finals have been pretty interesting. Remember back when Jussi Jokinen tapped Zdeno Chara in the back of the leg with his stick during the series between the Bruins and Hurricanes? Pierre McGuire and the other Versus announcers were beside themselves and repeatedly called it a "cheap shot" and a "dirty" play. Well, that was a love tap compared to what the Penguins were handing out on Saturday night when they suffered a complete meltdown after falling behind early in the second period. Evgeni Malkin elbowed Johan Franzen in the head, Sidney Crosby slashed Henrik Zetterberg in the leg, and Maxime Talbot attempted to take out Pavel Datsyuk, (his first game back after a prolonged foot injury). And that was just part of the nonsense that went on.

Not once were the words "cheap shot" or "dirty play" used by the announcers during the fiasco. Instead, the Pens showed a "lack of composure" and were just venting "frustration". If the Carolina Hurricanes or most other teams were doing the exact same things, they would have been labeled as a bunch of cheap shot artists. And some wonder why the darlings of the NHL are disliked by most of the league?

Eric and Tanya Staal are enjoying their summer in the local area so far and reportedly took in the Brad Paisley concert this past week. Here is an article from a lucky couple who sat next to them during the event. Apparently, Staal was recognized and was greeted by several fans asking for autographs and photos. So much for hockey players being able to mingle incognito while being out and about in Raleigh.

Finally, a huge congratulations to the South Carolina Stingrays, who won the ECHL's Kelly Cup this weekend. That makes the third championship for the franchise. Tremendous job!

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

got to love B league hockey. I was looking at the Stingrays’ all-time roster and not a single name I recognized from the NHL. (Martin Lapointe is not the NHL Martin Lapointe). Those guys are just playing for playing’s sake :-)

by Caniac1026 on Jun 8, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

Chip must be reading you Bubba

He just posted an update:

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/no-canes-staff-changes-expected

by Jamie Kellner on Jun 8, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Good to see you cheering on a Caps affiliate, and one who was gutsy enough to pick a Carolina with which to ally itself, no less. ;-)

Spot on re: the ’Guins, btw.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Jun 8, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

I was (past-tense) rooting for the Penguins...

until all that junk they pulled during Game 5 Saturday night. Even when the Canes were getting slammed in the playoffs, they never resorted to those sorts of childish stunts (Jussi on Chara was a love-tap comparatively speaking). I can’t bring myself to root for the ‘wings. So I guess now I’m stuck waiting for September.

And as for the media bias, same ol’ same ol’.

Glad to see Chip is still alive and gainfully employed on the Canes beat. Sounds like Mo will be too. Good news all around.

Last – can’t someone find out when the Staal baby is due? Seems like that would be a good predicition pool (date and weight) for another Canes Country t-shirt. It is summertime, after all.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jun 8, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

Oh - and there's this to check out:

the new RBC Jumbotron

at least someone got something done over the weekend.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jun 8, 2009 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

Pens

Hello,
You would be surprised to know that next to the Pens the Canes are the next team I look at. I LOVED Ronnie when he played for us. Our GM at the time (drunk) treated him horribly and that is how he left.
If you have watched the games you will have noticed that the officiating in Detroit is completely different than in Pittsburgh. The announcers are PRO Red Wings. It is nauseating. McGuire should go and kiss Zetterberg since he loves him so much.
The Wings are sitting on Malking and mauling Crosby. BUT this is okay…
The slashing has been both ways. Draper has not been without his moments-neither has Zetterberg-
Jordan nearly had his nose removed by Osgood…
It has been going BOTH ways.
Good Luck to you guys next year.

by ShellPens10 on Jun 8, 2009 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

sort of

The home team has definitely gotten the greater share of calls – as is usually the case, and both teams have gotten away with little jabs here and there. But the bafoonery displayed by the Penguins in the third period of game 5 is on a level all its own. Carolina got into a similar – though not as bad – situation in game 5 vs. Boston last month: game was over, players get a bit chippy, etc. The biggest difference is in the comments made by the members of the media covering the game live. The double-standard is quite obvious to us.

I had figured that by now we would have seen a press release announcing the signing of Mo along with a short press conference. JR had made it sound like that was first on the list. Anybody have any ideas as to why this has not happend yet?

by Sluv on Jun 8, 2009 8:35 PM EDT reply actions