"Finn Brotherhood" Too Much For Cats: Hurricanes 4, Panthers 1
by Bob Wage on Feb 10, 2010 1:42 AM EST
43 comments
It was an interesting Tuesday for the Carolina Hurricanes. Earlier in the day, the league announced that the Canes would open their season next year in Helsinki, Finland. Later that evening, the Finns on the team celebrated with a "Finn Hat Trick", as Joni Pitkanen, Jussi Jokinen, and Tuomo Ruutu each scored while leading the Hurricanes to a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers.
Jokinen's goal was his 21st of the season, making him the leading goal scorer on the team. The hot winger currently has a seven game scoring streak and has 20 points in his last 16 games.
While the Finns all contributed, Matt Cullen was first star of the game and had a goal and two assists to lead all scorers. Cullen is also on a roll and now has 11 points in his last 13 games.
After a slow and scoreless first period, Jokinen drew first blood when he put back an Eric Staal rebound early in the second.
A few minutes later though, Cory Stillman tied the score off of a nice pass by Stephen Weiss. But later in the period, Joni Pitkanen would put the Canes ahead for good with a blast from the blueline.
In the third period, Matt Cullen made a perfect toe-drag move and beat goalie Tomas Vokoun as Tom Kostopoulos skated to the side of the net acting as a perfect decoy. Then Ruutu scored his goal on an empty netter with just a minute and change left in the game.
After missing 15 games, it was good to see the Ruutu score. Fans loved it, as they got to fully enjoy "Tuomo Ruutu Bobblehead Night".
The next opponent will be Buffalo at the RBC on Thursday night.
Game Notes:
- Manny Legace earned the win and had a solid performance. He made 19 saves on 20 shots and did not look rusty at all. The team is now 3-0 since Cam Ward's most recent back injury and Legace has two of those wins.
- Eric Staal's assist kept his scoring touch rolling. The center now has 21 points in the last 16 games. He and Jussi Jokinen have some excellent chemistry brewing and they came very close to lighting the lamp a couple of other times in the game.
- In the first period, Tim Gleason dropped the gloves with Gregory Campbell and dropped the Florida forward as well. But later in the game, the Carolina defenseman took a puck to the face and needed to leave for medical attention. Of course, he returned to the game shortly afterward, wearing a visor along with 12 stitches, but no worse for the wear. Later on, he picked up an assist on the Cullen goal and was awarded third star of the game.
- Aaron Ward led the team with four blocked shots. He also had an assist and finished the night at +1
- The Canes had 30 shots on goal compared to 20 for the Panthers. Eric Staal had six, a team high.
- The Carolina penalty kill keeps firing on all cylinders and has now killed 29 of 30 penalties in the last seven games.
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Tim Gleason
This guy is pure magic. If you need some inspiration you don’t have to look much further than #6. Twice this season he has left after being nailed in the face and twice has he returned to be a factor. JR made a good call with this one.
by Gunning For The Cup on Feb 10, 2010 2:02 AM EST reply actions
what’s Timmy’s stitch count so far this season? poor guy is a puck magnet! did anyone hear Manny’s post-game interview about getting hit in the “love pillows”? LMAO he is a funny guy!
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
Tim’s stitch count for the last 60 days is 42 . 12 this last game and 30 the time before…go figure…then when i was a kid a loked at some of the older vets during the 60’s they all looked like they kept leading with their faces in a losing street fight! And yes I’ll take a “finnish” hat trick anyday !! Go canes !!
If you think you can't, you won't !
Very good game, especially from a live stand point! The fans were feeling it and so was the team… just a fun time all around! Gleason is a true warrior, the fins are "Finn"tastic, and that goal by Cullen was down right sick! The boys are clicking on all cylinders now! Congrats to Legace on getting the victory, and to Gregory Campbell on the new face lift courtesy of Timmy Gleason! GO CANES!!
Let the new era of Hurricanes hockey.... begin!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Feb 10, 2010 7:49 AM EST reply actions
Cullen got some props over at the NHL.com front page. They feature that “sick” toe drag goal as a video AND he was named 3rd star of the night in the league. Well done Matt – been so focused on all the other headlines, I hadn’t noticed how great you’d been playing.
We’re still at 28th and 9 points ahead (or behind, depending on your vantage point) Edmonton who is in 30th place. Guess that’ll be okay. Matt Duchene has worked out just fine for the Avs and he was the #3 pick last year.
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
Nice pick-up. Thanks!
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 10, 2010 8:27 AM EST up reply actions
So… is a point, a fight, and a puck to the face a Tim Gleason hat trick?
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
Right between the eyes. Methinks perhaps the shield might be a good idea. Although in all honesty Timmy may need one of those Dany Heatley fishbowl face shields.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
Hail the Emperor!
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 10, 2010 8:24 AM EST up reply actions
Dammit
Do I have to photoshop a scar onto the statue now?!?
by Raccoon Fink on Feb 10, 2010 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
I thought the marble made it look like he had a scar already…
by Andrea's evil twin on Feb 10, 2010 9:13 AM EST up reply actions
Steve Goertzen
Congratulations to the new guy. After Gleason pounded a clearly mismatched G.Campbell to the ice, I guess Bryan Allen, listed at 6’4", 226 lbs, decided to get revenge on Goertzen. Didn’t work out so well. Steve held his own, and body-slammed Allen to the ice at the end of the skirmish.
I was on the way home from squirt practice and listening to ChuckK for the first period and didn’t see them. Any one found the 2 fights on youtube yet?
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 10, 2010 8:26 AM EST up reply actions
The CanesVision “Flavor of the Game” features both fights. Blood and all. And Gleason’s face after taking the puck.
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 10, 2010 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
Hockeymom
was that rex ryan at about the 40 second mark of the flavor of the game?? switching from a Philly jersey (which would make since) to a canes jersey?? check it out
by CarolinaCanes on Feb 10, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
make sense rather. and Im positive it is.
by CarolinaCanes on Feb 10, 2010 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
Yep – here’s one story that mentions it:
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan was shown numerous times on the Jumbotron, sitting sulkily and sporting a Flyers jersey. Late in the third period, two brave Storm Squad members presented him with a ‘Canes’ third jersey. I was secretly wondering whether managed to find one that would fit his "dimensions" without special ordering it, but while it looked a little snug, Ryan seemed happy with his new threads.
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 10, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
just under that in the same story.
It was a ho-hum first period until Tim Gleason and Gregory Campbell – the league disciplinarian’s son, go figure – dropped the gloves 6:12 in. Gleason threw Campbell around and got in a few good hooks before the fight was broken up.
didn’t know that, ironic is a way.
by CarolinaCanes on Feb 10, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Flavor of the Game
A friend of mine works for Canes Vision and is responsible for the “Flavor of the Game” each night. She appreciates all the views!
OH, NO...........
’’There’s still a chance (of making the playoffs), so we’re battling every time we get on the ice,’’ Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason said.
Tim Gleason is the epitome of a throwback player. He is the consummate team player and kind of guy every team and GM would love to have. He will stick up for any teammate and do whatever it takes to win. Glad to see he is getting the recognition he so truly deserves by playing in the Olympics for Team USA. And his offensive game is coming around too, nice.
Last night, it was great to be in the RBC. It felt and looked great to see a packed house and to see a well played game the Canes. The Finns are phenomenal and Cullen’s move was pretty sick. While Whitney did not score he made some amazing moves himself. Good to see the team playing better, hope the break doesn’t slow them down.
The Finns are phenomenal finnomenal
*fixed
by Andrea's evil twin on Feb 10, 2010 9:15 AM EST up reply actions
Here’s Forslund with Joe Ovies this morning. (Forslund was in St Louis calling the Blues-Wings game lat night – hope he caught the game later. that was a fun one)
He talks about the Canes current momentum, what he’s hearing about trade bait. Whitney, Cullen, Corvo. He expects Whitney might not happen till 2:45pm on March 3rd. (for the 3pm deadline)
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
A friend sent this to me when she heard about the ‘Canes opening in Finland. It’s a Finnish rap song about hockey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4osfbh7Q_g Pretty hilarious and awesome (and catchy).
That is awesome. Thanks for the link. . No translation necessary in the international language of hockey.
(BTW- we missed ya Saturday at BB. )
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 10, 2010 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
Definitely.
GM and soothsayer of the Unofficial Hurricanes' fishtank.
Up this week: Introducing Sutter-fish.
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 10, 2010 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
I was at the game and thought the Canes played well as a group. The 1st period was a little slow and didn’t have much flow, but the rest of the game moved along. Some of the passes were a little off and some of puck-handling wasn’t great.
Matt Cullen really did have a very good all-around game and should have increased his trade value. I really like the move by Staal that resulted in a penalty and then resulted in the PP goal. He was weaving in and out of defenders like the Staal of old, I’ve missed that this season.
Again, it was a good overall game and the FINNish was perfect. We’re playing some good hockey as of late, it will be interesting to see if we get what we expect from our trades and whether we will continue to play this level of hockey once certain players are gone.
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