Clicks and Clippings: From the City of Peter, sometimes it's lost in translation

This morning there was another twitterific symphony (or, I suppose, cacophony, depending on your tolerance of interruptions) from the NHL media in St Petersburg. Several more photos, interviews, and stories written in both Russian and English that capture how remarkably different this weekend is for your Carolina Hurricanes.

I've got the Russian (translated by Google, accounting for something lost and something gained) links up first, and after the jump, several more closeups on the teams day at the practice rink and touring the historic City of Peter.

Russian Reports

From the Russian blogger, Павел Лысенков (pronounced: Pavel Lysenko) who had us giggling at captions yesterday, he has another great photo essay today "Hurricanes are ready for a cool fight! How quickly he keyed into Chad LaRoche as the chatterbox comedian of the team. 

I'll insert this .mp3 audio of Eric Staal talking with members of the Russian press here, to give you some context of where "will you be fighting?" jokes came from in the post above. Eric Staal with the Russian Press 

"Uncle, take a photo of me!" from another Russian hockey blog, "Hot Ice", enjoy this super narrative of the Canes sightseeing tour of St Petersburg. Jussi Jokinen and Joni Pitkanen in their Russian hats, and teenage girls asking to take photos with "Uncle" Tuomo Ruutu in front of a historic monument. More great photos when you scroll down. Since when has Tim Gleason seemed so comfortable as a media darling?

Also from the "Hot Ice" hockey blog, this gallery of photos from practice is short, but sweet. You'll need to "scroll right" to get to the images of the Canes at the Historic Jubilee Sports Palace, including Maurice, LaRose, Cam Ward looking very much themselves.

This is an elegantly translated story (by a person not a machine) from the official website of the Kontinental Hockey League: "Hurricanes in St. Pete"  Wonderful photos with familiar faces, they relay a cordial exchange between SKA's Alexei Yashin and Cam Ward that is the perfect touch, given all the hype above.

After the jump, much much more from writers who come from this side of the Atlantic - all of it  new since yesterday.

North American stories

Starting off at NHL.com, for which their contributor Dan Rosen is providing wonderful in-depth coverage of both the trip and the team. He also has a don't-miss twitter photo gallery here at  @drosennhl 

A choice nugget in this running blog, where he succinctly defines Maurice's plans for the team this season, see here labeled "B)" and "C)"   Start to Finn-ish with Rosen blog - 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere  Monday's exhibition game will be played on the larger, international ice sheet, which is approximately 15 feet wider than what we find in North America, and that could pose problems for a team that is A) used to playing on a rink that is 85 feet wide, B) is built strictly on speed, and C) runs a two-man forcheck and defensemen that aggressively pinch.

Hurricanes understand significance of game against SKA St. Petersburg Yes, the Hurricanes are excited to play in Russia. But they know the big games for them come against the Wild in Helsinki on Thursday and Friday.

Skinner's skills, maturity have impressed Hurricanes Jeff Skinner may look younger than his 18 years, but his skill level and maturity have the Hurricanes seeing someone far older and more developed.

You must take a look at this remarkable image of Jeff Skinner on the tour bus today, from the great slideshows they're providing at the Hurricanes' site. Here is the rest of  the "Day 2" gallery with 32 more pictures of people in places that you just don't see everyday.

Paul Branecky posted a summary of the Canes' activities  Sunday here in Canes Getting as Prepared as Possible, 

Admittedly, the start was a little rough given travel and jet lag issues. "It was a little sluggish at first as the legs got going again, but all things considered it was pretty good," said Erik Cole. "There have been moments in training camp where I probably felt worse." 

while Mike Sundheim profiled Hurricanes Assistant Coach, former NHL goalie Tom Barrasso's memories of Leningrad when he was a teenage goaltender for Team USA. Guy Behind the Guy: Barrasso Returns  

Tom Barrasso was 17 years old, a high school senior from Acton-Boxborough High School. He was standing in a net in Leningrad, USSR, preparing to face a team with CCCP across their sweaters. The Soviets were on home ice, hosting the 1983 World Junior Championships. As much as that goaltender would achieve in his career, it was at 17 that he faced be the ultimate road challenge.

NHL.com had two quick  "Carolina Hurricanes in Russia Videos":

First, teammates Eric Staal and Jussi Jokinen talk about their experience in St. Petersburg, Russia.

And then TIm Gleason talking about the Media attention and hype. 

From the N&O's online coverage of the Hurricanes today: Canes Now - Yashin on Canes: 'It's just one game' |Yashin said he was sad to hear that an old comrade, the Canes' Sergei Samsonov, would not be able to play in Monday's game. Samsonov, a Moscow native, suffered a neck sprain in a preseason game against Atlanta and was not cleared to make the trip.

Former Canes in Europe

Minnesota Wild's first practice at Hartwall Areena: StarTribune.com with a video of what the Canes will be working with on Tuesday in Helsinki. Includes a cameo by Matt Cullen at the 1:30 mark and the catchy phrase: "Hold the elevator for Clutterbuck!" 

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune's coverage from Helsinki is outstanding, and I look forward to having their reports when the Hurricanes arrive. Here's another story that builds on the story above: Skating surface hits new low | StarTribune.com  The Wild found its practice rink in Finland three stories below ground level and several feet short of NHL standards.

Ray Whitney and the Phoenix Coyotes will be playing in Riga, Latvia against another KHL team this week. Whitney excited about move to Phoenix - 2010-2011 Season Preview The Phoenix Coyotes struggled to score goals last season, but they hope that changes with the addition of Ray Whitney.

And Mike Commodore is with the Columbus Blue Jackets in Stockholm. He was tweeting images from the charter plane last night and even a few from Sweden this morning. Here's his twitpic stream to see his running and characteristically funny twitter travel log: @commie22

Not St Petersburg, but worthy just the same

From ESPN.com's conversation with Eric Staal for the NHL media blitz in New York in September. Staal talks about his team, and in the last half, describes, very personally and in a surprisingly vulnerable way, what he felt he accomplished in Vancouver with Team Canada. 

Finally, after a nice win in Norfolk  Friday night, this afternoon's rematch was not so inspired. CHECKERS DOWNED BY NORFOLK, 4-1, IN PRESEASON FINALE Jon Matsumoto scored the lone goal for Charlotte while second-year goaltender Mike Murphy stopped 35 shots in a losing effort. Mike Angelidis, a member of the Albany River Rats last season, led the way offensively for the Admirals with three assists.