Staal Extends Scoring Streak And Leads Carolina To Victory: Hurricanes 4, Sabres 3
by Bob Wage on Feb 6, 2010 12:13 AM EST
97 comments
Eric Staal extended his career best point streak to 11 consecutive games and the Carolina Hurricanes came from behind to defeat the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night, 4-3. Staal scored a goal and picked up an assist to give him 10 goals and seven assists in his streak.
Carolina's Captain now has 42 points in his last 32 games since returning from an injury which kept him out of action for 10 games.
Jussi Jokinen netted the game winner as he ripped a shot past Ryan Miller with 3:17 left on the clock. The red hot Finn now has points in five consecutive games.
The Canes out-skated Buffalo early and jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Zach Boychuk set up Aaron Ward mid-way through the first period. Boychuk earned his second career NHL assist on the play and Ward scored his first goal of the season.
Andrej Sekera tied things up though for Buffalo with just 1:25 left in the period.
Things slowed down a bit in the scoreless second, but the third period was an exciting one.
Staal scored his 20th of the season just 34 seconds into the third. Ray Whitney and Jussi Jokinen picked up assists on the play.
Just 20 seconds later, Drew Stafford tied the score. Then two minutes after that, Stafford scored again on a fluke play when the puck flew up into the air and fell into the net when it landed behind an unsuspecting Manny Legace, falling into the goal when it hit his back.
The backup goalie played a pretty solid game for the Hurricanes, but did not see the puck on that play.
Unlike the two previous games in Alberta, Carolina fought back in this one. Matt Cullen fished a puck out of the corner and fed Sergei Samsonov, who was planted on the side of the net. Samsonov sent a perfect pass across the crease and a hard skating Tom Kostopoulos was able to tip it in to tie the score.
It was a sweet looking play and surely would have gotten a "now that's hockey baby!" from John Forslund.
The teams battled back and forth the rest of the period. The Canes had a couple of powerplay chances, but could not get anything going. Finally, Staal found linemate Jokinen streaking in at the blueline and the Finn blasted the shot past Miller, who probably thought he should have had it.
The Canes held on for the last three minutes or so, and picked up their seventh win on the road this season.
Game Notes:
- Manny Legace had a scary pregame warmup when he was hit in the throat by a shot. "It probably would have taken a bullet between the eyes to keep me out," said an upbeat Legace, who has been in the crease for only 7 minutes since Dec. 23. "That scared me. It winded me a little bit, but once I caught my breath I knew my windpipe was fine and I was ready to go." The backup made 28 saves on 31 shots.
- Tom Kostopoulos had the game tying goal, his seventh marker of the season. He also led the team with three hits.
- Aaron Ward not only scored his first goal of the season, he had a team high three blocked shots.
Niclas Wallin was a healthy scratch. Jim Rutherford was quoted as saying the "pending" deal sending him to the San Jose was "dead", perhaps another victim of the "dreaded no trade clause". But one never knows about dead deals, sometimes they can be put on life support and revived. We will see.
The Canes traveled to New York immediately after the game and will close out their road trip Saturday night against the Islanders.
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Staal is looking like 05-06 Staal.
sportstalkbuzz.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Feb 6, 2010 12:46 AM EST reply actions
Great game! Beating Buffalo is always a great thing!!!
Go Canes!!!
Let the new era of Hurricanes hockey.... begin!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Feb 6, 2010 12:47 AM EST reply actions
yes a win now does help the teams fragile ego…and well as gives we the fans, some hope & optimisim…but don’t forget folks…the soap opera of the “trades or possible ones” is still going on there in Raleighwood ya know…and Tlusty in the opening 20 seconds of the first period scored a goal for the Albany River Rats in a 4-3 losing effort last night…sigh
If you think you can't, you won't !
hey esteba...I mean "Steve'...
Good for Tlusty. Good to have him playing during the olympic break. Should help him jump-start his offensive game…
If you're not 1st, you're last.
That’s exactly what he was sent down to work upon…his scoring touch.
Good to hear he’s re-finding it.
Tlusty and Scoring Touch
Tlusty is a natural scorer; and I think the Hurricanes made the right move in sending Tlusty down to Albany to play through the Olympic break. Tlusty was working to get excellent scoring chances and he was just a fraction of a second off in his timing. It was a matter of Tlusty needing to calm his brain and not over-thinking. I am convinced Tlusty will be a 20 goal scorer next season for Carolina and he will qualify in the Jokinen-like group of “I can’t believe anybody traded him.”
I am convinced Tlusty will be a 20 goal scorer next season for Carolina and he will qualify in the Jokinen-like group of "I can’t believe anybody traded him."
20 goals isn’t easy either. Tlusty will be a smart player, especially playing on a line with Sutter. Goal scorers with great defensive skills.
Let the new era of Hurricanes hockey.... begin!
by 3yrsnoplayoffs? on Feb 6, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Tlusty has the ability & the skills, but he also has to work at induring all the checks and rough handling he got with the last 2-3 games where as much as he wanted or tried to stay out in the open…he was working and digging the puck out of the corners and of the half boards alot, so doing that will contribute to some low scoring opertunities…not an excuse mind you, but a reasonable explanation of why he has points but few goals…the young man does work his booty off…just as Brandon Sutter does …well it’s almost time for Daytona “qualifying”…be safe everyone…Go Canes !!
If you think you can't, you won't !
Alternate Headline
A.Ward scores Goal…Hell freezes Solid
Seriously, good for him.
I beg for One-day moratorium on Ward bashing. Just one.
Non-Bashing A. Ward Day
Ok. I agree. No bashing Aaron Ward for tonight’s game by me. No matter what.
I am not expecting any news or changes over the weekend regarding trades. That probably means something will happen. It was good to finish well last night. The second period was brutal. It is amazing that we did not get multiple goals scored on us. I hope Peters gets the start tonight.
Exnihilo
Where’s canescup this morning? I thought he’d be all over this comment from Chip’s write-up this morning:
On a shot from the point, the puck bounced off goaltender Manny Legace and popped up in the air. The puck then glanced off the back of Legace’s right arm and over the goal line at 2:58 – good bounce for the Sabres, bad bounce for the Canes.
“Right after that, Staal stood up on the bench and said, ‘Keep going,’ and we came out and got the next two goals,” Canes coach Paul Maurice said. “That’s a real sign of leadership. We need someone to help us stay in the fight.”
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
He’s too busy probably hugging his life size Eric Staal doll to type.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
we saw Glen Wesely at the IcePlex the other night and she made a lewd comment about a “man crush” that I must have. Honestly, I do not and would not even feel comfortable taking away from guys’ like that time by bothering them for autographs or conversations. I have never been into the “star gazing”. Went to Hollywood once and refused to go look at stars’ houses. Seems creepy and voyeristic and makes me feel like more of a Plebe.
Exnihilo
Respect for Players' Privacy
I am told one reason so many players like playing for the Hurricanes is that the fans are almost all respectful of the players’ private lives and don’t hassle them for autographs, etc. and don’t criticize after bad performances when they are out in public. By contrast, there are some hockey communities where players are open game; and particularly during a bad season.
A good reminder AD, as what you said reminded me of something a long time ago…imagine walking into a Chicago resturant and in front of you at a table eating is Bobby Hull & Gordie Howe trying to have dinner…sadly some fans didn’t or wouldn’t respect their space & etc…myself i was so excited i was doing I gotta go potty now dance…but kept my cool and my held my liitle sister in check…when they walked by our table on the way out he handed me 2 tickets to that nights game…we went had a blast and after the game…Bobby Hull was passing me and 4 others by the bus stop got out and handed me 2 signed hockey cards…His 7 Howe’s…and a thank you for respecting their privacy and space…I still have those 2 cards, and was offered money for them, but I’ll give them to my grandson alan as he’d appreciate them more…be safe..Go Canes !!
If you think you can't, you won't !
The valve steam broke had to blow it up with a hand pump….its all good now. Thanks
Staal + Jussi = GOAL
by canescup on Feb 6, 2010 1:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Staal and Leadership
There is all the difference in the world between having a captain like Staal who stands up behind the bench and says, we are not quitting, follow me; and having Brind’Amour stand up behind the bench and say, “guys, when you are out there playing, play hard.” Leadership on the ice is where games like last night are won or lost.
Staal is playing the way I thought he could play as a top five forward ever since he was named captain. The fact he is exerting this leadership when the playoffs are out of reach is a great sign for the new Hurricanes.
But -1 for not photoshopping a ‘C’ on his chest.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
by LTD on Feb 6, 2010 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
Sounds like Peters is getting his first NHL start tonight:
ice_chip Canes not having pregame skate for Islanders. Good chance Justin Peters will start in goal.
Poor kid.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Poor kid ?
It’s the 2010 NY Islanders. Not the 2002 Red Wings.
Kid’s dreamed his entire life about Tonight.
Granted, not with this defense in front of him. Have confidence.
by drifterscape on Feb 6, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
Fair enough, but I’d say just one thing. On most nights, everyone looks like the 2002 Red Wings to us.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
And for the record, I meant “poor kid” as in he has to sit all day and stew about starting without a morning skate to focus on. The nerves are going to be through the roof.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
And it’s also offiicial that either Chip is lying to us or someone is lying to Chip:
nhl_canes http://twitpic.com/11pd5p – Justin Peters focuses before taking the ice for the morning skate on Long Island
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
I happen to follow Deb Placey’s (my favorite NHL Live host) Twitter account and she’s active this morning since we are playing the team with which she is associated (radio coverage).
From her tweet from earlier today, you can see the refinement that there was some ice time for the injured non-players.
Probably Justin got some time on the ice tending goal for them.
Wish she would have told us whether the Finn was at the optional skate today. I think he needs the ice time.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
by LTD on Feb 6, 2010 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
Peters in Goal;
Peters has been very solid in Albany. Really over all the defense has not been awful. Last night’s game should have been a two goal game. The random bounce off Legace was really just a matter of being unlucky. Peters is getting a chance to show that he should be considered as Ward’s back up next season. I am impressed with Legace’s tenacity and leadership. I like the way Legace takes on in a direct manner the responsibility for bad goals and the way he talks about the “boys” helping him out. On the other hand, Peters has a great deal of potential and with Cam’s back flaring up, it would be great to have a goalie who plays more than once every seven weeks to give Ward some rest.
Personally I have never been that impressed with Peters, he has never looked that great and only recently has looked much better due to the vast improvements to the Rats roster this year. Mike Murphy intrigues me much more as a potential future starter. Peters just looks to me like he would never be more than a backup.
however good he is, you can count on MO
to either wear him completely out by riding him to death, or to leave him on the bench to rot while riding the other goalie to death.
by DidJussiThat? on Feb 6, 2010 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
ice_chip Cam Ward will have his back evaluated by a specialist on Monday.
Gulp.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
And now this:
ice_chip No word yet on seriousness of injury but there appears to be a lot of concern in the Hurricanes camp.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
And this:
The upper body injury to Canes goalie Cam Ward is significantly worse than expected. Carolina Hurricanes TV play by play voice John Forslund has told 99.9FM the Fan ESPN radio that Ward has a fairly significant back injury and will be evaluated early this week by a specialist. It is not known how long Ward will be out, but it appears that it will be a larger amount of time than anticipated.
Ward suffered a back injury during last years Eastern Conference Finals against Pittsburgh, but this injury is not thought to be related.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
Cam Ward and Back Injury
Sounds like a protruding, if not ruptured, disc. It does not sound good at all for Cam Ward in terms of this season.
Different topic… Chip just tweeted:
ice_chip: Word is the trade involving Nic Wallin and the San Jose Sharks is still being negotiated and could happen.
I’M SHOCKED
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
My chin is on the floor. Impossible. It was reported as being dead. Surely dead meant dead and not dead for now or mostly dead, or right near dead, or borderline dead in the NHL world of trades and almost trades. That has never happened before and won’t happen again in the NHL.
It’s not dead. It’s just a flesh wound.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
by LTD on Feb 6, 2010 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
It’s not dead. It’s resting.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
by LTD on Feb 6, 2010 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
It’s not dead. It’s tired and shagged out after a long squawk
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
by LTD on Feb 6, 2010 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
Sad to see mo ride Cam so hard (possibly why he is having back trouble?), and now, he doesn’t even give Manny the start tonight. Perhaps I am being to critical of this, as Peters needs to get some NHL experience, but I don’t like that it seems like he has no confidence in Manny to start.
Unless Manny is injured….
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
I don’t see why you WOULDN’T want to see Peters in the net.
Manny Legace is obviously not a long term solution as backup
My question is why ride the hell outta Cam unless they are “trying to get back into the race”? If that is the case, why play Peters? If that isn’t the case, then why play Cam all those games straight?
As I said, that may be the reason why Cam’s back is screwed up.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
elskling mused aloud this morning before we saw any news that Manny’s throat might not feel very good this morning from yesterday’s puck-hit during the warm-up session.
Last night might have been tolerable, but it might be pretty tender this morning.
I’m glad to see Peters get a start regardless. May have forced Mo’s hand.
Come on. Let’s see what we’ve got here.
On a Lighter Note: RBC and Caniacs get High Marks
Here is a great article on the RBC and the Canics by the Bleacher report. I wish he had come during last year’s playoffs because the RBC and Caniac experience would have blown him away. As it is, he gave the RBC and Caniacs very high marks.
of course he would have been there for the Hawks game
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
haha – his reasons for not liking the “neighborhood” is why I do like it. Still remember when Trinity Rd was 100 % woods once you passed Carter-Finley. Plus it sounds like he went in the wrong direction. If he had gone down Hillsborough St towards Cary he would have found a lot more interesting things.
It will take quite a while to build out, especially with the setback and breakdown of traditional financing methods, but here’s a glimpse of a conceptual illustrative plan (what could be, not necessarily what will be) for the surrounding area.
The Comprehensive Plan and zoning heavy-lifting have already been accomplished.
Any idea how the RBC could be expanded to 23,000? Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem had a significant remodel after I left WFU. I wonder if the same thing could be done for the RBC.
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