Cam Ward Steals One: Hurricanes 2, Wild 1 (SO)
by Bob Wage on Oct 8, 2010 5:00 PM EDT
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PrintCam Ward made 41 saves, then stopped all three attempts against him in the shootout to lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a 2-1 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild in Helsinki, Finland on Friday. After the Wild jumped out to a 1-0 lead late in the first period, Tuomo Ruutu tied the game early in the second. Then after a scoreless third and overtime periods, rookie Jeff Skinner scored the lone goal in the shootout for the game winner.
Skinner also picked up his first career NHL point with a well earned assist on Ruutu's goal.
As expected, the Wild came out with more jump and determination in the first period and the Canes really needed their goalie to be on top of his game in order to stay close. Ward made 17 saves on 18 shots in the opening stanza.
In the second period, the Canes picked up their skating and created more chances in the Wild zone. Skinner was like a demon, harassing the Minnesota defense all night.
On the Canes scoring play, Skinner out-raced Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom to a loose puck about 25 feet to the side of the net. The defense was able to collapse on the rookie, but he swiped the puck to Jussi Jokinen behind the net, and the Finn found his countryman, Ruutu out in front. Ruutu was knocked down on the play, but buried the puck anyway for the Canes only goal in regulation.
In the third period, the Hurricanes controlled play for the most part and held the Wild to just 4 shots on goal, but they could not get the puck past Backstrom, even though they had three powerplay chances, including a partial 5-on-3 chance.
Minnesota outshot the Canes 8-1 in overtime, but Ward was equal to the challenge.
Martin Havlat got behind the Hurricanes defense twice, including once in the extra frame, but Ward stopped him the first try and Havlat hit the post the next time, (with the help of a hard slash by Jamie McBain with just 7 seconds left.)
Skinner was the first shooter in the shootout. He put on a couple of moves and had Backstrom sprawled on the ice before roofing it over him. The other Carolina shooters, Jokinen and Ruutu missed on their chances.
Ward came up big against Mikko Koivu, Brent Burns, and Antti Miettinen.
Both teams will leave Finland and return to the states as soon as they get packed up after the game.
Quick Hits:
- Cam Ward made several top notch saves as the Wild were buzzing around the Carolina net off and on throughout the game. If the goalie can continue to play like this, the Canes will be in every game.
- Captain Eric Staal got frustrated and took two retaliation type penalties, (slashing), the first of which the Wild took advantage of with a goal.
- The team did worse in the faceoff circle than the previous night, (33%). Staal was 11 of 27, (41%), Jokinen was 7 of 13, (54%), Zac Dalpe was 3 of 6, (50%), and Brandon Sutter was an unbelievable, 1 of 19, (5%).
- This game was a bit more chippy than the debut and there were a couple of roughing penalties as well as fighting majors. Tom Kostopoulos dropped the gloves for the Canes and did well before being wrestled to the ice by Eric Nystrom.
- Tuomo Ruutu was credited with 7 hits. The team had 24.
- The Canes had a total of 37 shots on goal led by Staal with 7.
- After going 2 for 5 on the powerplay yesterday, the team was 0 for 5 today, for a total of 20%, (2 of 10).
Notes: Jeff Skinner is a just joy to watch and with a bit more upper body strength, could be a real force to be reckoned with On one play he tried to split two defensemen and drove to the net between them. On another, he skated behind the net and stole the puck from a defenseman who was setting up a play. Later on, he drew yet another penalty for his efforts, the second time he's done this in as many nights. It's hard to believe that he'll ever see junior hockey again.
The Canes are now 2-0 and will next face the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.
(The following is an up, close, and personal view of the Skinner shootout goal taken by CC member Raccoon Fink. Nice work!)
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Skinner
Only been able to listen to the radio feed for the first two games, but from everything I’m reading I cannot wait to see this kid play!
Still not a crook!
Great game
Skinner looks really solid. Right now the FO problem is the most glaring on team. Ward was awesome to be sure. I guess my only other criticism would be Dalpe’s minutes… I am not sure what the plan is there.
Great start
Huge 4 points to get it started!
I’m not digging LaRose on line 1, I’d like to see O’Sullivan there for a while. Guess they’re planning on Samsonov there??
by JohnnymcQ on Oct 8, 2010 5:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
During my preseason predictions I said Skinner would score his first official NHL goal during the 2nd game. Does the shootout goal count?
Please Mo, take those POS's off Staal's line and put the more skilled POS with Staal!
by PackPride17 on Oct 8, 2010 5:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I say YES !! but then again,who am i ?? LOL
Everytime you write off the Hurricanes,
They make You Look Bad!!
Skinner looked amazing, I will agree that at times when he doesn’t have the puck he looks a little lost, but on offense he is a demon. I can’t say enough good things about him, he looked like freakin Datsyuk out there on the shooutout. Totally undressed Backstrom. Cam was a solid wall.
The Staal/LaRose/Cole line was painfully unimpressive again. At times they would have great scoring chances, only to see LaRose or Cole fumble the puck and miss a great opportunity. I’d say they looked like the worst line on the team, not something you’d expect from your #1 unit. Staal looked very upset in the 1st and 2nd and took some undisciplined penalties that really hurt the team.
I’d have to say in my opinion, Corvo looked very bad for the 2nd night in a row. He looks slow, makes poor decisions, can’t hold the zone, etc. On the other hand Harrison actually looked pretty good. He made a couple very good decisions on a few plays when I was sure he was going to get beat 1-on-1 and give up a goal…
What can you say about the faceoff situation. I can guarantee it won’t get much better this year, it will be a hill the Canes will have to climb all year. Sutter’s 1-19 (5%) was a new low and Staal’s 11-27 (41%) is unfortunately what we have come to expect.
e looked like freakin Datsyuk out there on the shooutout.
The guys on Vs. said that exact thing. This kid is certainly becoming a hot topic of conversation. I may be wrong, but I believe we’ll see him in a lot more than nine games this year. He was one of the best players for the Canes during these two games. The sky is the limit for this guy.
"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
but don't forget
that during the intermission reports and one on Calder Cup contenders…his name wasn’t even brought up…everyone else but Skinner…just goes to prove how fickle they are and how silly many of us fans are and can get!!!
Everytime you write off the Hurricanes,
They make You Look Bad!!
He has some amazing competition. Being 18, I don’t think he has the best shot in the World at the Calder this year, but I believe he will easily be one of the best players of this Rookie class long-term.
Competition is going to be rough, Tyler Ennis would be my Calder favorite at this point. With Jordan Eberle and P.K. Subban close behind. Although I think Jonathan Bernier has a real shot if he can take over the #1 job from Quick in LA.
Came here to say this.. “On the other hand Harrison actually looked pretty good. He made a couple very good decisions on a few plays when I was sure he was going to get beat 1-on-1 and give up a goal…” you beet me to it so +1
I was impressed with his overall play today. He was positionally strong, he stood up a couple guys to challenge there push toward the net… and I did not spot any glaring mistakes that cost us any severe repercussions.
Cut it out, Eric
These retaliatory personal fouls of Staal’s (two blatant slashes today), most occurring way behind any real play on the ice, have got to stop.
He cost the team a goal against today and didn’t make up for it on the scoreboard, either.
Hopefully he’s getting a talking-to about this from the former Captains, if nothing else…and deservedly so.
Here we are now...entertain us.
A lot of people talk about the pouting, and there was quite a bit of it today. He is a helluva player, but you are absolutely right, these kind of things have to stop.
"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." -George Orwell
Maybe it looked different on TV...
…but at least one of those slashes looked more like a referee with eye and/or brain synapse issues.
They both were, no question, slashes on TV.
Yes, Staal was wronged in each instance by the precipitating “interference” calls that were not made.
But putting your team on penalty kill, and on an even worse 5-on-3 kill for the second one, is no way to get revenge.
Here we are now...entertain us.
Both Fors and Jaffe agreed the first one was a questionable call.
by hotchipsnsalsa on Oct 8, 2010 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought the first one was questionable as well, but Staal was off sync all night. Two penalties, several offside calls, not getting up quickly, basically not acting like a Captain.
I would hope both the coach and JR are giving him a talking to. This is no way for a captain to behave.
That being said I think his line is not working at all, despite some valid individual efforts. I would rather see Skinner or Samsonov on his line, the defense seems to be able to completely key on Eric.
Wow, I just realized that other than these 2 games and a game on the 29th against the Rangers; all we do is play playoff teams from last year during the 1st month of the season. And the Rangers only missed the playoffs on the last day of the season in a shootout. Combine that with only 2 real home games (against Washington and Pittsburgh), the NHL really wants to stick it to us, huh?
Please Mo, take those POS's off Staal's line and put the more skilled POS with Staal!
by PackPride17 on Oct 8, 2010 6:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
McBain's slash
That slash with 7 seconds left was nasty. I am glad we won and all, but I have a bad feeling about this. McBain got 2 minutes, as he should, but with 7 seconds left it really did not matter.
Many penalties are “part of the game” so to speak, not intentional, but this was blatantly intentional. If I cannot keep up with the guy I just slash him with a stick as hard as I can …
Now that I’m back to a real computer this is the first chance I’ve had to watch RF’s awesome video. What’s funny was that I felt so guilty about where he was sitting. He’s actually in my seat, which was a terrible seat for taking pictures so I switched with him and sat with Cyn higher up center ice – perfect photo spot. He, on the other hand, ended up in the perfect spot for that shootout video. Just terrific.
No one wanted this week to end, so we had to go to extra innings. What a perfect ending. Cam stands on his head, Ruuty gets a goal, and Skinner gets the shootout game-winner. He was out on the ice FOREVER before they let him take his shot. Kid must have nerves of steel.
I love this country. I never want to leave. This has been the trip of a lifetime. We’re undefeated in Finland. Can we start every season here?
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
Honestly...
While I really enjoyed being higher up for the first game and the first period of this one, it was nice to get closer and see the action from only 6 rows back, so don’t feel bad. It’s not like I’m going to get better shots from my point-and-shoot from up where you were anyways. :)
The shootout video was just gravy.
It was THE video to have. David Lee who writes occasionally on the Canes for Kukla’s Korner used your video in his game summary with the headline Skinner Skinner Chicken Dinner.
Twitter @HMof2
by Carolyn Christians on Oct 8, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
That was my line when he scored...
and the superstitious amongst you will be horrified to know I typed it in while he was still standing there looking like he would throw-up.
I’m not sure I can put into words how I feel right now! It’s one of the most incredible feeling I’ve had in a long, long time! Helsinki is an awesome city. The games were incredible, Skinner is ICE!
And when it didn’t seem it could get any better a bunch of us Caniacs go out after the game to celebrate and the Finnish people at the bar totally embraced us. Made several new friends and really HATE that we will be leaving tomorrow.
I <3 Helsinki!
From this fans perspective
all of you who twittered and posted the pix & vids all trip long,along with the cane’s staff ( Mike Sundheim & etc) helped give us the fans who couldn’t go made many of feel like we were there with you…but we have one advantage…we didn’t and won’t get jet lag or have several sauitcases full of dirty clothes & etc to declare at customs…:-}
Thank you all from the bottom of my little ol pea pickin heart…
Everytime you write off the Hurricanes,
They make You Look Bad!!
My Finland Evaluations
Just finished watching game 2 and I’m thrilled the Canes have 4 points coming back to NA. There were some good things/players and some not so good things/players. Here are my thoughts:
Staal – I don’t think he was bad, but he definitely wasn’t good. His faceoffs suck, but improved in Game 2 and he’s got to stop the frustration penalties. He made some good passes that weren’t capitalized on and he seemed to play more of a full 60 than last season. Bottom line; he needs to be better for the Canes to challenge for the playoffs.
LaRose – He improved mightly from Game 1 to Game 2. He had a few more chances and really showed the Chad hustle. He a quality role player on the 3rd or 4th line, but he doesn’t belong on the 1st.
Cole – He just looked bad to me. He has horrible hands, not being able to get control of any puck and he was getting knocked down a lot. He needs to be moved down. He pretty decent defensively and he got an assist on a whiffed shot, but that is about the only positives I can say about his game so far.
Jussi – He played a pretty solid all-around game. A goal and 2 assist is a good continuation from last season. He’s the only guy to be good in the faceoff circle and he lead the best line in Finland.
Skinner – What else can I say, he is pretty damn good. He is very good with the puck and is fearless despite his size. If these first 2 games are any indication of his season, this kid will be scary with a month of NHL experience. I would really like to see more of Skinner-Jussi-Staal and I think Skinner can handle & thrive against other top lines.
Ruutu – He seemed to play his game and got a goal. I wouldn’t say he was overly impressive, but definitely solid. He was good and I hope to continue to see a full, healthy season for Ru.
Sutter – 5 feet in front of the goal is Sutter’s area. He is so good down low. He trailed off in Game 2, but I think that is somewhat the result of his linemates. He needs, we need Sutter with more skilled wingers. The faceoff circle in Game 2 for Sutter was horrible, I hope not to see that again.
Bowman – He is using his body pretty well and is not a defensive liability at all. He’s still not there offensively yet, but he could be a real force if he gets that area of his game together. I think he deserves to stay up, but probably majority 4th line with splashes elsewhere here and there.
Dwyer – I thought Dwyer was pretty good. He looked very solid and was handling his own in both ends of the ice. I think he should also move to the 4th line, but he is NHL worthy.
Dalpe – I like this kid! He didn’t see a whole lot of ice time, but I noticed him when he was on the ice. He seems confident, except in the faceoff circle, and has some size and speed. I think he could be a shooter with defensive responsibility with Sutter & Ruutu on our “shutdown” line or be an physical offensive presence centering LaRose & Cole on a 3rd line. He needs more ice time than 7 minutes a game.
POS – Patty is too skilled for the 4th line and the limited minutes. He wasn’t great, but didn’t get a lot of time to get into the flow of the game. And I think he looked a little frustrated at the limited time. He needs to take some of those minutes that LaRose & Cole are getting. If not, I really don’t understand why he is here.
TK – Also limited time, but he did what he does. He’s a solid player/penalty killer.
Pits – Not that impressed with him during the first 2 games. He wasn’t passing very well and not really quarterbacking the PP like he needs to. He ate a lot of minutes, but he needs to communicate better with his playing partner.
Corvo – I didn’t like his game either. He didn’t make the best decisions and was out of place often. I think this was partly due to injury and his playing partner, but our elder statesman needs to be better. He needs to go back with Timmy!
Timmy – I didn’t always notice him on the ice, but when I did; he was playing well. He is a our rock on the backend and his +/- reflect that. I would like to see him a little more physical, but be smart because we can’t have you in the box. Great job on the PK in Game 2.
McBain – I thought McLovin was average with certain flashes. He looked ackward on the ice to me. Sort of like he was overthinking. But I thought his overall game did improve in Game 2 and he did make some smart plays. He’s going to be good.
Babchuk – He was very aggressive in Game 1, not so much in Game 2. But I was impressed with his game. So far he has proved me wrong and I would like to see him rather than Corvo on the 1st PP unit.
Harrison – I don’t think he belongs on the team over Carson, but he wasn’t bad. He was average with limited ice time. He needs to be more physical because that is why he is here, but not bad so far.
Cam – He was the best player on the ice over the 2 days. The defense wasn’t great, but Cam saved many scoring chances. If he continues this, he will be a Vezina finalist. Keep that back healthy!
Coaching – Mo made some adjustments after the 1st in Game 1 that worked, good job. We also have 4 points, so good job. But these combinations are not good. Stop relying on your boys so much and put the right people in the right position. Chad & Cole need less ice time and Dalpe & POS need more. Corvo & Pits do not need to be paired together except maybe the PP. Last year he played musical lines so often it was a joke. Now this year when it might work, he’s keeping everything stagnant. What gives? Try these lines;
Skinner-Jussi-Staal
Bowman-Sutter-Ruutu
LaRose-Dalpe-Cole
POS-Dwyer-TK
or
POS-Staal-Dalpe
Skinner-Jussi-Ruutu
LaRose-Sutter-Cole
Bowman-Dwyer-TK
Overall, the Canes need to work on their passing and the PP. The kids really showed while they belong and once they gain some experience; they should only get better. If Staal and Pits can get it going, the Canes could become dangerous. Way to pick up 4 out of 4 possible points, keep it up by picking up 5 or 6 more on the road trip.
Please Mo, take those POS's off Staal's line and put the more skilled POS with Staal!
by PackPride17 on Oct 8, 2010 8:53 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I woke up a short time ago
and I came here and saw the new responses and i had to laugh at several of them…and it seems that many of us are back to full form from last season..which in many cases is and can be a good thing…as many of you i too have chores & tasks to get done as i plan on listening to the Checkers games tonight and looking for another bright spot in my hockey world as the Spokane Chiefs lost a close one in regulation time last night…3-2 ..gee between the Canes,The Checkers,the Chiefs,The Everblades and the Plymouth Whalers do you think I’m getting enough Hockey ?? And Who has time for football ? :-}
Everytime you write off the Hurricanes,
They make You Look Bad!!
Carson and Pogge...
both cleared waivers, per a tweet from Bob McKenzie.
Here we are now...entertain us.
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