Clicks and Clippings: Minor happenings

by Carolyn Christians on Apr 21, 2011 11:59 AM EDT

Quiet around here, eh? With eight rounds of the NHL Playoffs filling the puckworld's airwaves this week, it's both too much and not enough. Too much (if there is such a thing) thrilling playoff hockey every night and twice on Sundays. With the home team out of competition till October, there's not enough motivation to really give a flip who wins.

With that in mind, some stories and links to get you through the early post-season duldrums, starting with the Hurricanes minor league affiliate in Charlotte. The Checkers held on to even their first round series versus the defending Calder Cup Champions Hershey Bears last night. Fresh from victory at the NCAA Frozen Four 10 days ago, 19-year-old defenseman Justin Faulk played his first pro game for the franchise, and Mike Murphy returned from a concussion suffered 3+ weeks ago. Murphy was recognized as the AHL's 2nd star of the night in the win. Former Bear Oskar Osala contributed his first goal of the series and centerman Zac Dalpe continues to impress every night. Highlights and post-game comments from Game 4 (Faulk wears #3, Dalpe is #19):

And the official recap and stats are here: Checkers Dodge Hershey Comeback, even series at 2-2

Dodge shot game-winning goal | CharlotteObserver.com Hounding the puck and driving the net, the Charlotte Checkers turned up the intensity of their play Wednesday night to defeat the Hershey Bears at Time Warner Cable Arena 3-2.

Game 5 of the series (and the last in Charlotte) will be Friday night and the Canes have a special ticket discount for all who are looking to get there and cheer for the Canes prospects. The attendance has yet to exceed 4,000 for the first two games, but a big turn-out is hoped for tomorrow night. Game 6 will be in Hershey Sunday afternoon (yes, that's Easter) and if necessary, Game 7 is Monday, also in Hershey, making for a potential 5 games in 7 days.

For updated stat tracking and other playoff information, bookmark the East Division Semifinal series tracker at the Checkers Official Site.

The N&O's Chip Alexander has been in Charlotte covering the series this week, talking with the prospects closest to making the jump to Raleigh next season: To catch the eyes of the Hurricanes - NewsObserver.com Dalpe would like to think he will have a place on the Carolina Hurricanes' roster next year, in the NHL. So do such Checkers as Drayson Bowman and Zach Boychuk, Bobby Sanguinetti and others.

From the Hershey side of things: Charlotte Checkers even series with win over Hershey Bears | PennLive.com Since a rough first period in Game 3 of the East Division semifinals, Charlotte Checkers goalie Mike Murphy has turned into a difficult obstacle for the Hershey Bears. Murphy, who made 35 saves, was the prime difference in Charlotte’s 3-2 Game 4 victory over Hershey Wednesday night.

After the jump, a collection of Jeff Skinner stories and interviews following the announcement that he was one of the finalists for the Calder Trophy, more on Justin Faulk, what the new TV deal means to the NHL, and looking at the Canes who'll be playing for their countries in Europe next week.

Jeff Skinner

Made the rounds as a Calder Trophy Finalist this week.

Must listen: HNIC Radio talks with Jeff Skinner upon the nomination for the Calder Trophy Tuesday afternoon, audio, 8:29. I'm pretty sure that's Jeff Marek leading the interview, but I would love to know who the former Hartford Whaler is, with the Quebecois accent, who asks Skinner about Ron Francis. Anyone know who that might be?

From 620theBuzz's Mike Maniscalco and Mark Thomas morning show here in Raleigh, the story Skinner won't be acting out the Hangover in Vegas - WRALSportsFan.com and just the audio.

And in studio Tuesday at NHLNetwork's On the Fly. I think maybe he is sorta a little bit humble during this special time for him and his family fershurr I guess.

Plus a few more columns on the three finalists and those who didn't make the cut in one of the best Rookie classes in recent years.

Calder Trophy Finalists: Couture vs. Grabner vs. Skinner - Puck Daddy When the NHL's writers converged on Raleigh for the All-Star Game, they experienced the Bieber-mania that surrounded Skinner locally. It left an impression. You combine that with leading the NHL in rookie points and closing strongly as the votes were being cast, and Skinner has to be considered the favorite here.

Calder Trophy favours the goal scorers - James Mirtle, The Globe and Mail NHL's top rookies are all forwards this time around. Part of the problem is that it's so difficult to compare players at different positions. How do Carlson's 37 points match up against Skinner's 63? And Crawford's 33 wins on a Chicago team that was dead in the water before he took over in goal?

Justin Faulk

Faulk Steps Right in For Checkers - Paul Branecky, Tracking the Storm Blog As rapidly as Justin Faulk has risen through the ranks, he never seems to have much trouble adjusting to his new surroundings.

Canes Now - Faulk steps into pressurized situation "You definitely don't like to leave a team, especially when you're a freshman. But when you're faced with either playing pro hockey or college hockey, it's always a dream to play pro hockey and it's tough to turn down."

The Hockey News: The Hot List: Faulk makes the grade In this week's list of players we can't wait to see in the NHL one day, we profile Justin Faulk of the Charlotte Checkers.

More Checkers in the news

UPDATED Checkers Notes: Murphy, Dalpe Step up for Charlotte - Branecky/TTS Blog "Murphy has responded well two games in a row after being out for a long period of time," said Checkers coach Jeff Daniels. "He's a big-time goalie."

Radio voice Jason Shaya had his latest 10 thoughts up at in-house blog Checkers Chatter this week. As always, an excellent read. A sample, at #10: We've been saying it all year. Dalpe will be a bona fide star for the Canes.

Canes Now - Jared Staal still looking to move up "I ended up coming down to Charlotte and played, I thought, pretty well for a while. Then, about 20 games into the season I got sent down. Obviously, I wasn't too thrilled about it. I did go down there and I guess was counted on a little bit more."

Checkers' good-guy Dalpe leads playoffs vs. Bears | CharlotteObserver.com Zac Dalpe wants to stay in Charlotte. We need to keep Zac Dalpe in Charlotte.

April 19: Watertown Daily Times | Minor Updates with Mike McKenzie At times it was pretty tough and frustrating being injured while living in the hotel. The team would go on the road and I would be stuck by myself all weekend with not much to do and no car to take me anywhere.

The #3 goalie in Charlotte, now that Mike Murphy has returned to action, is Bobby Goepfert. Goepfert is also known as @Geffman47 who just surpassed the 1000 follower mark on twitter, which he observed with this very funny "Twog": They said it couldnt be done. A flash in the pan. A one hit wonder....

Good reads on Playoff Hockey

Mark Recchi Hoping History Will Repeat If Bruins Follow Carolina's Blueprint to Rally Past Montreal - NESN.com "It was just that the guys believed in each other," Recchi said of Carolina's comeback. "I joined the team with 20 games left and saw how much the guys believed in what they were doing and they stayed with it. They stayed with what they were doing and they believed in it. Cam Ward came in, that was his first game in Game 3 and he kind of ran with it after that.

Fascinating profile of the Tampa Bay Lightning's rookie coach: Like father, like son for Lightning coach Boucher Guy Boucher's coaching philosophy was shaped at a young age thanks to his father, Wilfrid.

About that $2 Billion TV deal

In a nutshell: Five things you should know about the NHL's new TV deal - USATODAY.com

Red Light: NHL’s new TV deal is a winner Ebersol and his negotiating team wanted a high degree of exclusivity for this product. They feel they can best maximize its value by not having to compete in the advertising marketplace with the teams’ local rights-holders in the playoffs and with another national cable network for weekly games. That’s what they are paying the NHL for, and one reason the rights fee is as high as it is.

Why the NHL's new TV deal with NBC, not ESPN, is great for hockey and the Flyers - Broad Street Hockey NBC has committed to much, much more. Versus and NBC will broadcast 100 regular season games next season, including a new national game on Black Friday. 100 regular season games is roughly three or four per week. That's a ton of hockey on national television, and it sounds even better in the playoffs.

IIHF World Championships

Not much happening yet, but a couple resources to check in with from time to time before the first game next weekend.

IIHF Championship Official Site and the Schedule with links to rosters.

I know of 4 players from the Canadian and Finnish teams plus a TSN journalist who are on twitter giving you behind the scenes insight on what the experience is like. You can follow them at this list: @HMof2/IIHF2011. Let me know if you discover more so I can get them in the mix.

Our Canes Country Calendar has all the games for Canada (Skinner), Finland (Ruutu) and Germany (recently signed defensman Justin Krueger ) listed. I haven't seen if Denmark will be inviting goal tender Frederik Andersen (Canes 7th round pick in 2010) again this year. If so, I'll be sure to add those in on the calendar as well.

CANADA

I link this story from TSN.ca to highlight one comment to suggest what this experience means for Skinner (and a very good reason he's participating): Nonis happy with changing attitude towards World Championship Commenter adds: "in fact Hockey Canada's only interest in this tourny is to give 18-19 and 20 year olds who could be in the mix for future olympic teams international experience..."

TSN reporter Brent Wallace is covering Team Canada and tweeted this an hour ago, from Paris. That second line is Evander Kane and John Tavares and Jeff Skinner? This could be fun.

Canada Lines: Nash-Stewart-Duchene; Kane-Tavares-Skinner; Ladd-Spezza-Eberle; Vermette-Zajac-Clutterbuck

SUOMI

Not as easy to find the intense coverage of the Finns that Team Canada gets, but here are some links you're sure to like.

From Helsinki: Tuomo Ruutu at Mercy of Tornados "We had so many tornadoes, I always struggle to get out from under. My flight was supposed to go at 2pm, but I was delayed until the next morning at 6," Tuomo Ruutu told the evening newspaper.

Sami Lepisto, recently of the Blue Jackets and the Coyotes, is among those who will be on the Finn team. Thanks to twitter, we also know he will be Ruutu's roommate in Slovakia. He also told us that Team Suomi now has it's own customized shoes: Finnish national ice hockey team got its own Reino footwear.- MTV3.fi

Auld Lang Syne

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Comments

Haha, the one time Faulk does show up in that first highlight video was a cringe worthy moment.

“Oh nice hit to seperate man from pack….OMG why are you going straight up the middle with that!?”

Sweet turnover.

by Iggy Reilly on Apr 21, 2011 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

I was thinking that too. Nice hit, not so nice turnover.

by hurricane9 on Apr 21, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

man from puck*

Also, can’t wait to see that Kane-Tavares-Skinner line in action

Should be a headache for opposing teams

by Iggy Reilly on Apr 21, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I"m not sure if any of these games will be available on TV in the US. Might be that FastHockey.com site where they charge per game.

Team Canada plays an exhibition game vs France on Sunday and apparently the highlights will be on TSN’s Sportscentre. If I see them linked on TSN.ca I will definitely get that link here too.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Apr 21, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish I could get down to Charlotte for Friday’s game. I’m sure there will be a huge crowd that night.

by hurricane9 on Apr 21, 2011 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

The ex-Whaler interviewer in question is Czech and wore number 24 and I think 20.

by diochef on Apr 21, 2011 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

Bobby Holik?

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Apr 21, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Bingo!

by diochef on Apr 21, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Excellent – how did you recognize his voice?

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Apr 21, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

He is on NHL network all the time lol.

by diochef on Apr 21, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, he says “Jeff, this is Bobby Holik” haha

by Colossal Caniac on Apr 22, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Sheez – I missed that. Obviously. :facepalm:

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Apr 22, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

great stuff HM

and as always…we thank you !! and i was listening to the game…and man you heard the crowd go ohhh as Faulk hit that guy…good things to come from this edition of the Charlotte Checkers…

What did you do during the playoffs ? Go Checkers v& Chiefs !!

by CaniacSteve on Apr 21, 2011 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

Checkers Game Last Night

I was pleased with the fact that Dalpe (1 assist), Boychuk (1 assist), and Bowman (1 assist) continue to step up during the playoffs. On Osala’s goal, Dalpe and Boychuk were both creating havoc around the net with Dalpe putting the puck into the back of the net, in case the officials missed the goal the first time.

Faulk was a beast. I liked the fact he came ready to hit. He also has a natural confidence as a defenseman that reminds me of McBain. Faulk also has very quick hands and is able to make both long passes and short passes that go tape to tape.

Murphy is a goalie who has the ability to steal games. He is more of a Tim Thomas goalie who uses an unorthodox approach, but who is very difficult to beat. In short, Murphy is a winner; and comes up with crucial saves when the team has to have them.

I really like how Daniels feels the flow of the game and adjusts quickly to whatever is happening on the ice. I also like the way Daniels tries to create confusion for opposing teams. He is not purely a reactive coach, but instead makes changes that force opposing teams to adjust and adapt.

Sutter and Nash are impressing me as well. Nash has improved tremendously over the course of the season. Sutter at right wing is very physical presence. All in all, the Checkers are a very fun team to watch.

by abramsdoug on Apr 21, 2011 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

Any talk of Sanguinetti’s health? Was he out because his post-operative hip can’t take consecutive games or because he’s been playing poorly?

by curiouscanesfan on Apr 21, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

the official word was healthy scratch.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Apr 21, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Sanguinetti has been playing quite well, I thought, since coming back. He didn’t have any noticeably poor plays during the three playoff games. I am not certain why he was healthy scratched; but the Checkers still miss Carson in terms of having stay at home defensemen.

by abramsdoug on Apr 21, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeff D was quoted today as saying Sanguinetti is having conditioning problems because of coming back so soon from surgery. Said for Sanguinetti it’s like going through training camp all over again. Sounds as though Sanguinetti will play tonight. That additional speed on D should help.

Dmitri Orlov seems to be killing the Checkers. He’s +5 in the four games. Not bad for a 19-year-old. In the broadcast of the last game, there were a couple of times that the Bears announcer said Boychuk or another Canes’ player tried and failed to get around Orlov.

Like the Caps need another good young D-man.

by curiouscanesfan on Apr 22, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad Murphy is back—he is definitely a competitor, and will continue to improve nicely working with Barasso.

Dalpe is the cream of the crop in Charlotte. He could actually be a little more selfish and it might improve his game. His speed and scoring skills will be a fantastic addition to the top six next year if he gets the chance from Mo. When Jeff Daniels says he’s a good two way player, then he should be Ok for Mo…

Boychuck continues to produce, but he does it in a way that doesn’t tend to stand out. There’s good reason to give him top line time to see if he’s an NHL caliber guy or not. I think he is, but he’s moer a playmaker than a scorer—which would fit well with either Staal or Sutter’s line, but it’s hard to tell if he’s a difference maker. Dalpe is, clearly, a difference maker.

I think one Faulk admission is key—he’s acknowledged guys are bigger and faster in the Pros—and he’s only at AHL level. Given his age, and current defensive accumen, a full year in Charlotte would help. He may crack the team depending on what we do this summer, because he has the skills and desire, but it would probably be better for us long term if he had more AHL seasoning. His admission is why I think the Canes want their guys out from college and into the AHL sooner rather than later—so they can learn against a higher level of competition (including NHLers like Hershey fields…).

Osala looks close, but still not quite NHL ready. Liek to see him continue to develop, add a little more scoring flair and a little more nastiness around the crease. The fact the checkers are in this is a good sign for our prospects, because a lot of Hershey is more experienced and NHL tested…

Go Checkers—pull this one out!

by Squeaky83 on Apr 21, 2011 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

I’m definitely in the camp that believes Faulk will play most of the year in Charlotte next season and maybe more.

Couple of young high-pick US Dmen to compare that to:

If he followed the path of say John Carlson (b Jan 1990, so 2 years older than Faulk), Faulk would play 20 games in the NHL next season (2011-12) and then become a full-timer in 2012-13. Carlson was 27th overall in the 08 draft.

On that schedule, he’s 2 years ahead of McBain (b Feb 1988, 4 years older than Faulk) who stayed in college 3 years before a year in Albany and then full-time this season.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Apr 21, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

It seems Dalpe has emerged as the top prospect through outstanding play. Boychuk has played well though. It’s the same as last year’s AHL playoffs. Back then, Dalpe had 6 points in 8 games to Boychuk’s 5. This year, Boychuk has 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 games, which is excellent. It’s just that Dalpe has 3 goals and 3 assists in 4 games, which is spectacular. Dalpe is dominating the shots for Charlotte with 14. Boychuk has 8, same as Bowman. Terry is second on the team with 12.

Surprisingly, they are the only two Checkers with positive plus/minus in the playoffs.

Bowman’s pass to set up Dodge’s goal last night was outstanding.

by curiouscanesfan on Apr 21, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

on the plus/minus and not many players on the + side, it’s partly because they’ve scored several of their goals on the PP.

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Apr 21, 2011 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Dalpe and Boychuk are doing quite well. There is a tendency to overlook the fact that on some of the plays where neither Dalpe nor Boychuk scored that they had a role in setting screens or otherwise making plays that led to goals. When Dalpe and Boychuk are on the ice together, the Checkers are particularly effective. It was that way last year during the playoffs and it is the same with these playoffs. Boychuk tends to wait for his moment on the ice whereas Dalpe is more visible. Scoring a point a game in the playoffs is truly excellent. Scoring 6 points in four games is really spectacular.

by abramsdoug on Apr 21, 2011 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

4000 for minor league playoffs is a good number

Truly that’s not a bad number – when the team played playoff games at Independence Arena they would have trouble getting that many.

For comparison, look how empty the Durham Bulls home playoff games are in September compared to their regular season crowds.

Every year we go to Bulls playoff games and 2500-3000 is usually what it maxes out at. I have to admit though, some of the best baseball games and crowds I have ever been to have been those games.

by Adam's Journey on Apr 21, 2011 4:21 PM EDT reply actions

I agree. The 2 nights so far have been just under 3800, and that’s been about the 2nd best number in the AHL for these 1st round games. I agree it’s not terrible, but I’m hoping they get closer to 10,000 tomorrow.

It also tells me a lot of their fans when they have big crowds come for the promotional event and not the hockey. Is that fair?

Twitter @HMof2

by Carolyn Christians on Apr 21, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

It's minor league hockey...

…that’s not to be flippant. But I wouldn’t be surprised that in looking at almost all minor league sports attendance drops off for playoffs. 1) Not as many promotions. 2) A lot of groups go to minor league games and you can’t plan anything ahead of time with playoff games. 3) Most folks going to minor league games are die hard fans or someone who goes to a game once or twice a year for the enjoyment of it. Example – we go to about 6-8 Mudcats games and about 4-5 Bulls games a year but don’t follow them closely at all.

The same with the Fire Antz in Fayetteville – we go to 1 or 2 games a year (though the Rob Sich drama was fun – inside joke).

The FireAntz are a great example. They actually don’t draw that bad during teh regular season…2-3000 for a low low level minor league team. But for playoff games – it decreases.

And when I lived in Charlotte we went to about 7-10 games a year, and since 2003 I would go visit friends once a year to see a Checkers game.

Of course you have hard core fans, who know everything about the players and go to every game…but for the most part minor league games are more about the promotions, an affordable family night out, interesting first date, etc. than wanting to see hockey.

by Adam's Journey on Apr 21, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Weeknight doesn’t help either, especially when you’re catering a lot to families.

And your description fits me to a tee during my time in Charlotte as well, we’d get groups and go to Checkers games but it was more about the event itself than the hockey. Same with the Knights.

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by Jamie Kellner on Apr 21, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Going to Charlotte

Who all is going? And if I have Pre-Canes Checkers gear on – is that consider a ‘jersey foul’? :-p

by Adam's Journey on Apr 21, 2011 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

I’ll be there. And I think old school Checkers gear would be just fine. My first pro hockey game ever was Checkers at the old arena.

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU

by Jamie Kellner on Apr 21, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Saw plenty of the Blue-n-Orange last night. No foul.

by JussiJuice on Apr 21, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I was gearing up for a roadie until I had a flash of brilliance and realized that today in fact is NOT Friday but Thursday and I have to work. “Tomorrow” was such a subjective thing for me apparently.

Riding the Cole-train.

by Esbee on Apr 21, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions