Singin' The Third Period Blues: Flyers 5, Hurricanes 1

by Bob Wage on Oct 30, 2011 12:15 AM EDT in Carolina Hurricanes Game Recaps

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 29: Maxime Talbot #27 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates his third-period goal against Brian Boucher #33 of the Carolina Hurricanes with teammate Claude Giroux #28 on October 29, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Hurricanes 5-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Carolina Hurricanes battled the home team evenly for two periods, but fell apart in the third as they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers, 5-1 Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Canes fell behind in the first when Tim Gleason had a pass picked off right in front of the Carolina goal. Brian Boucher stopped Claude Giroux, who made the interception, but was unable to stop Scott Hartnell, who had the followup.

Jussi Jokinen tied the game just 3:11 into the second off of a beautiful Jiri Tlusty cross ice pass.

Both teams battled evenly until the third when the Flyers exploded for four goals to bury the tired visitors, who were playing game two of a back-to-back.

Game Notes:

The Canes were outshot 34-25, again with most of the difference coming in the third period.
The team won 63% of their faceoffs. (Staal 75%, Sutter 50%, Jokinen 78%, Brent 45%)
Eric Staal's plus/minus took another hit with a team worst -4. He did lead the team, (along with Tlusty) with four shots on goal.
Patrick Dwyer was credited with a game high eight hits.

Post game interviews follow:

Paul Maurice 10 29 11

Brian Boucher 10 29 11

Brandon Sutter 10 29 11

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It really just seemed that everything that went right against Chicago didn’t against Philly. Gleason made 2 horrible passes, 1 resulting in the first goal, 1 resulting in a Flyers PP. We couldn’t control the puck and passes were just bouncing off sticks. McBain had a tough night and Boucher just fell apart in the 3rd, allowing 2 soft goals. The PP struggled yet again with only a couple of real chances. The top 2 lines actually provided some nice offensive pressure, but were unable to seal the deal with a goal. It just wasn’t a good game for them.

We did dominate the faceoffs, even one of the goals resulted from a faceoff win and then a whiff clear. Staal ended with a -4, but he didn’t play that bad IMO; I don’t think he was really at fault for any of those goals. LaRose didn’t play badly, but a actual scoring threat would have helped Staal & Tlusty. I wish Cam would have gotten the start even though it was back-to-back nights.

Time to pick up the pieces, practice hard, and finally get back at Tampa for last season & game #1.

Some managers manage using the carrot, Mo manages by using "The Stick."

by PackPride17 on Oct 30, 2011 12:33 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

How many more opportunitites do we think Boucher is going to get before Mo starts riding Ward again?

by webbo26 on Oct 30, 2011 4:33 AM EDT reply actions

And why are we playing him in the Eastern Conf. games? These will come back to haunt this team.

On the up side ol’ Tlusty is coming along pretty dang good.

I feel a shake up trade coming. Something needs to be done to get consistncy going and scoring.

Getting old sucks!

by Paladin6 on Oct 30, 2011 6:13 AM EDT up reply actions

until the 3rd period of the game against Philly on 10-29

by Gillimus on Oct 30, 2011 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Boucher's New Nickname is "The Empty Net"

Boucher’s New Nickname is “The Empty Net”

by Stuart Cobb on Oct 30, 2011 6:33 AM EDT reply actions

Thats Cold

Boucher probably didn’t have one of the best 3rd Periods of his career but neither did the rest of the team. You really cannot peg all the blame on him alone.

Jagr’s fake out passed him goal probably could have been saved but… Thats why he is Jagr.

I Loved Brian Boucher in both of his stints with the FLYERS and while he is no Cam Ward.. He is a pretty damn good 2nd goalie who when he gets hot .. gets really hot .. and he is a great player in the Locker Room. He is a responsible family man as well. His Career was pretty much dead but he took a huge huge pay cut and signed with the AHL Phantoms in an attempt to revive his career. He road the Bus on some long nights from Philadelphia Phantoms to Milwaukee Admirals, Chicago Wolves, Norfolk Admirals and Providence Bruins. He went from Playing in the Eastern Conference Finals with the FLYERS to being an AHL goalie to just get his career back. You have to admire that.

My Point .. Dont peg it all on Brian Boucher. He is a Great Back Up Goalie, an Awesome Locker Room Leader, and a Class Guy.

FLYERROB ! YOU STAY AWESOME FLYERS FANS ! ~ ~ ~ Lori Wilson Gray ~ ~ April 07th 1967 - May 27th 2011 ~ May you rest in Peace ~ I love you and miss you big Sis ! I cant believe at 44 yrs of age .. you went to sleep and never woke up. I promise to take care of Matt and Emily for you. With Love, your baby Brother.

by FLYERROB on Oct 30, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Its not all on Boucher, our defense was off last night, and the offense is still struggling to score; but the game was 2-1 and then Boucher let in 2 softies that crippled the Canes.

Some managers manage using the carrot, Mo manages by using "The Stick."

by PackPride17 on Oct 30, 2011 11:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

be patient with Brian.. I am telling you he will steal some games for you as a backup this year. Brian is known to steal 3 or 5 games a year .. back up or starter.. you can bank on that.

by FLYERROB on Oct 30, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve seen Boucher get hot and play totally out of his mind. Last night was one of his meltdown games. I’ve seen that too from him. He’s pretty much binary: one night he’s lights out, then another game he can’t stop the kids skating at intermission.

by abramsdoug on Oct 30, 2011 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions

also, he’s a great playoff goalie if the canes do happen to make it this year. not much rattles him and able to shake off bad games like this one and play a strong game next time.

by hbcivicsi93 on Oct 30, 2011 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Like many here

I too am somewhat dismayed….byut come on gang..there is still 72 games left for the entire team to pull it all together !! 72 games!! so please dear fans…please…have a “little” hope…Skinner is fighting back more now these day too ya know! Shouldn’t that count for something and those reall good and neat inside peeks & interviews by Bob harwood…those have got to be worth something don’t they ?gee some of y’all are starting to sound like Montreal fans here…sigh…at least they’re NOT 0-14 are they ? So how about it gang..can we just have a “glimmer” of hope rom ya ??

9/11/01 - Never Forget !!
Long Live #63 The Condor
Go Canes & Checkers !!!

by CaniacSteve on Oct 30, 2011 6:51 AM EDT reply actions

Well Steve, i’m truely optimisitic of this team. Gleason-Allen have way more good games than bad. Skinner is a stud, Jussi is playing solid, LaRose is doing average(which is above expectations) on the top line, Ward is a stud,.

But i have to address your “there are still 72 games to pull it all together” While other teams and coaching staff figured out their systems, lines, and put it all together by the end of preseason/Games 1-5… we are still figuring out Lines at game 11, probably won’t till game 15-20… and asking it to be put together by game 15 might be asking for alot.

by Brandon Blue on Oct 30, 2011 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Shades of Hue of Leighton

Boucher and Leighton share some unfortunate similarities. Both have times when they excel. Then other times they are ECHL level goalies. Gleason got the fail boat launched, Boucher then had a clunker in the third period. If this game were a song, it would be “Downbound train”.

by abramsdoug on Oct 30, 2011 8:50 AM EDT reply actions

Everyone in the preseason said the Canes had a decent backup for the first time. When is he going to turn up and play?

by rmmeli on Oct 30, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

OK Leighton isnt as good as Boucher and probably belongs in the AHL (making millions in the AHL just like Shawn Avery.)

by FLYERROB on Oct 30, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Trust me .. When Brian Boucher gets hot .. he gets hot.. I have seen him in most of his Career.

by FLYERROB on Oct 30, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

We saw flashes of that in preseason, I was and still am excited that he is the back up. I just hope these last 2 games don’t get into his head and that he ends up getting lost in the woods like Bryz

RAKASTAN SUOMEN!!

by danicanes on Oct 31, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

ECHL ? come now .. not that bad. Both have times that they excel and get hot yes I agree but both dont get as bad as a ECHL level .. Both get flat as a 2nd string goalie on a bad game night is pretty much the right assessment.

by FLYERROB on Oct 30, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

murphy

Time to give him a look? His numbers have been ridiculous lately.

by chrisbrasfield on Oct 30, 2011 9:56 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

That’s not going to happen and I don’t believe it can happen until his junior season is over or we have a couple of injuries that force the subject.

Some managers manage using the carrot, Mo manages by using "The Stick."

by PackPride17 on Oct 30, 2011 10:53 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Probably referring to Mike Murphy.

by 210beer on Oct 30, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

yep

Sorry-meant mike. He’s been great and at some point we should give him a look. I would be worried about a situation like last year with peters-but at some point we need to see how he is against nhl competition.

by chrisbrasfield on Oct 30, 2011 11:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Murph has a AHL leading 0.949 SV% and and is 5th with a GAA of 1.76 while compiling a 5-2-0 record. Kid is a stud. But the Checkers are one of the best teams in the AHL so he has a little help. And I don’t Peters can be compared to Murphy…the Murph is just that much better.

by jfhammon on Oct 30, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Canes Power Play is 11.1%

http://bit.ly/sDPnsR

Canes power play has a success rate of 11.1%. Only Anaheim, Calgary, and Columbus have a lower percentage.

by abramsdoug on Oct 30, 2011 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

That’s a real mystery. I mean with the offensive fire power of Chad Larose and Jay Harrison on the PP, they should have a success rate of at least 12%.

Sorry, for some reason I’m feeling snarky about this team today.

by 210beer on Oct 30, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

You actually have the table sorted wrong, that just the home PP%

Overall we are good for 13%, 24th in the league (stellar, I know)

by ECUCanesFan on Oct 30, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Thank you. I did not mean to make it worse than it is.

by abramsdoug on Oct 30, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Staal’s -4 for the game would put him in in 624th place in the league for the season! But since they do keep the stat for the entire season he is actually a -13 and running away with it!

by 210beer on Oct 30, 2011 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

His scoring is/has been a problem, but I can’t put that -4 on him last night. His first -1 was on just Jagr being in perfect position right in front of the goalie. His second -1 was on Boucher, who thought he had the puck and was caught like a statue on Talbot’s goal. His third -1 was on McBain taking a bad angle and Boucher just giving up a weak one. And his fourth -1 was on McBain failing to clear the puck after Staal clearly won the faceoff.

He needs to improve his scoring, but that -4 from last night was not a result of poor defense by him.

Some managers manage using the carrot, Mo manages by using "The Stick."

by PackPride17 on Oct 30, 2011 11:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

No doubt the team played a part in that. But he did as well. On his first -1, you have to back up a few seconds, but the Canes had the puck deep and Staal was really passive on the forecheck, and coughed up the puck pretty easily, and the Flyers were off to the races.

by 210beer on Oct 30, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

On that play, Boosh & Allen were both behind the net with everyone in the zone. Then a clear to no one and neither Gleason or Staal could get to it in time. I can’t blame Staal on that one because he was playing his position.

Some managers manage using the carrot, Mo manages by using "The Stick."

by PackPride17 on Oct 30, 2011 12:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

So post Brindy we still have have a cellar dweller in the +/- category. They keep that stat for a reason. Make all the excuses you want for Staal. Bottom line the kid makes uber frickin millions to score and he ain’t. If he did his dam job his +/- would be better. I dare say it may have changed the outcome of a couple games.

Biggest problem on this team is Staal being flacid followed by an impotent coach.

Eric is a limited, yet talented hockey player. He CAN score and assisst. If he isn’t he is worthless. I have stated since ’07 we need a real life super star. Skinner may be it and maybe Staal comes back to life, but how long do we have to kick dead horse that is Staals game?

If this team is built around Staal what happens if he gets a boo boo….again? Just throw in the cards and give up and watch the the Colts on Sunday?

It’s far and beond the time to wake up and realize this is a business, not the Eric Staal Country Club. You have well over a couple dozen journey men and rookies that comprise parts of a fair roster. Time to get serious. If Mo can’t or won’t get this team in gear put the twist tie (which is better than most he wears) around his neck and kick him to the curb….again!

Same with Staal, earn your check or get on the trade train and get this team a true super star.

AND!!! Man I still hate jagr.and carcillo. and pronger and hmmmmm must be cranky….

Getting old sucks!

by Paladin6 on Oct 30, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not making excuses, I’m just saying what it is. Tell me one time last night where Staal’s play resulted in the goal. Maybe he should have lost the faceoff on the 4th goal, then McBain wouldn’t have whiffed on the clear. But then you would b*tch about him losing the faceoff.

I know you hate Staal and he does need to score, but he also needs help. For as great as Skinner is, has he scored in the past 2 games? And couldn’t everybody conclude that he has much more talented players with him (Jussi & Ruutu) than Staal (Tlusty & LaRose).

Some managers manage using the carrot, Mo manages by using "The Stick."

by PackPride17 on Oct 30, 2011 2:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The last time we had a captain that was this defensively ineffective it was a 39 year old on a rebuilt knee. What’s Staals excuse? He reached the ripe old age of 27 yesterday, and as far as I know Carcillo only rebuilt his nose. I can think of 7,750,000 million reasons for him to backcheck and when he doesn’t (and he doesn’t from time to time) he needs a coach to make him accountable, either with some bench time or a bag skate.

by 210beer on Oct 30, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

This is the very reason I don't put a lot of stock in this stat.

by Canesfan1 on Oct 30, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

How was Tlusty?

I had to miss the game for a social event. Was Tlusty OK as a 1st line left wing last night?

Did any line look good?

by curiouscanesfan on Oct 30, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

He looked good, not great. He and Staal seem to have some chemistry, but another scorer on that line is needed. LaRose wasn’t bad and played with a lot of heart, but he just doesn’t have the skill needed to play with those boys.

Some managers manage using the carrot, Mo manages by using "The Stick."

by PackPride17 on Oct 30, 2011 12:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Check out LaRose’s shooting percentage. It’s 4.2%. He is 3rd on the team in shots with 24. Among players who have shot a fair amount, only Dwyer is shooting worse, with zero goals on 18 shots. Dwyer has taken more shots than Ruutu or Sutter.

Between them, LaRose and Dwyer are 1 for 42. Hustle is important but it isn’t everything.

by curiouscanesfan on Oct 30, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

All the more reason to move Staal to RW and have Sutter center him. It immediately addresses the issue with lack of depth at RW and Staal’s +/- issue (btw, agree with PP17 above in that Staal did nothing to earn his -4 last night). There should be options for a third line center between Brent, Nash, and a healthy Dalpe who played center in the AHL.

When my opinions and reality don't coincide I re-evaluate my opinions, not reality.

by C-Leaguer on Oct 30, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

He was -2 with an assist, 4 shots, 1 hit and 1 blocked shot in 15 minutes.

1 G, 1 A in 2 games on the first line is not too shabby (was the A to Jokinen because of a partial line change?)

by Gillimus on Oct 30, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

The First Line Long Term

Dalpe/Skinner/Staal look like the Canes first line in the long term. Skinner plays like a center, and has the will to backcheck at the end of a long shift. Rask looks to be the next second line center long term. For Skinner and Rask they have to get more upper body strength to play center. Sutter might step up to second line center if Nash continues to develop.

Staal and Ruutu as right wings make that position an area of strength.

by abramsdoug on Oct 30, 2011 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

Skinner definitely has the ability to be center, but have you watched him defensively? People complain about Staal now and Skinner is definitely not as good as Staal with puck pressure. You also have to look at the amount of skating a center does and wonder if it will effect Skinner’s ability to make some of his moves. He does a lot of circles with the puck and as center he is going to be more worn out over an NHL season.

Staal might be better at RW, but I’m not sure Skinner will be the one to replace him at center. Maybe Dalpe or Rask would work better.

Some managers manage using the carrot, Mo manages by using "The Stick."

by PackPride17 on Oct 30, 2011 5:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I hate to be another downer, but while Skinner has had flashes of Calder brilliance, his decisions to try to single-handedly skate the puck into the zone while being defended by 3 opposing players (and NOT dumping the puck deep) has caused at least one goal against and a few odd man rushes. So far I’m not thrilled with that aspect of his game.

Harrumph

by ivyleager on Oct 30, 2011 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. He needs to simplify his game. It appears to me that he has some idea that he has to do something pretty and creative every time.

by hurricane9 on Oct 30, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

I tend to disagree with the assulption we played well until the third. We were in it until the third, but our play was sub par the whole game. The team looked like they came to play the fourth game of a four game road trip… there were both mental and physical lapses, and very little intensity.

I was really hoping to build on the last game, and instead we forgot about it. At only the tenth game of the season, coming off a few days off before the back to back, no long distance travel or time zone changes, they shoulldn’t have looked so jet lagged.

It’s not worth trying to pin blame or excuses anywhere other than to say Mo’s PP still sucks. Eben when we do score on a PP lately, it hasn’t been the result of a set play, but a broken play or an opportunity.

I’m as dissappointed in this result as i was excited about the previous result.

by Squeaky83 on Oct 30, 2011 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

“I’m as dissappointed in this result as i was excited about the previous result”

I couldn’t agree more.

BTW – unrelated to this post – but it looks like Stinky really is gone. Amazing.

by 210beer on Oct 30, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

BTW – unrelated to this post – but it looks like Stinky really is gone. Amazing.

Yeah, I know the org doesn’t follow this board, but really, given our attendance this year, and given how we’ve had fans of the team give up posting on this board because they’re tired of seeing the exact same mediocre results and coaching decisions no one seems to agree with (heck even most of the pundits mentioned replacing Mo this summer, but I guess they figured out JR must love him as a son or something) when do they realize we need to make a change behind the bench and generate some excitement to get fans interested.

Mo is not, and never will be a coach that generates excitement. If he could our efforts over the last two years wouldn;t have been so up and down. I’m not going anywhere, but even i am torn…

…I honestly believe this team could be better—only a little better, 7-8 playoff team, with the right coach. I believe with the right coach we have more offensive ability than we’ve gotten from Mo’s coaching. But my issue is this: I want the team to win and make the playoffs….but if we do, and bow out early, Mo gets extended, and this crap goes on forever.

If we have a bad November and have a losing record, Mo may go, but we may be too far out for a new coach to come in, change things, and then make the playoffs, but I feel long term this may be best for the team.

I’m ever more afraid we have another .500 month, get more Mo platitudes, we stay a 9 — 10 team in the hunt, but Mo doesn’t get fired, and we miss the playoffs at the end of the year again.

I have no idea what to pull for…

by Squeaky83 on Oct 31, 2011 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions