Vokoun Stops Carolina: Capitals 2, Hurricanes 1

by Bob Wage on Jan 15, 2012 9:41 PM EST in Carolina Hurricanes Game Recaps

It was another one of those games in DC where the Carolina Hurricanes probably deserved a better outcome than they received, but once again they lost to the Washington Capitals, 2-1 on Sunday night at the Verizon Center.

The Hurricanes put up a season high 44 shots on goal and outshot the Caps in each and every period, but Tomas Vokoun was up to the task at hand and made a season high 43 saves for the home team.

Not only did the Hurricanes put 44 shots on goal in this game, they missed the net 13 times and had 25 shots blocked, for a total of 82 shot attempts. The Caps had 24 shots on goal, six missed shots, and eight attempts blocked for a total of 38 attempts.

Hurricanes killer, Alexander Semin scored the game's first goal at 16:57 into the second period when he beat Cam Ward high glove side. It was Semin's 27th career goal in 38 games against Carolina.

Jussi Jokinen tied things up though with a powerplay tally when he knocked in a loose puck scooting through the crease with just 17 seconds left in the second period.

Unlikely candidate, Dmitry Orlov, netted the game winner when he scored his first career NHL goal just 1:12 into the third. It looked like a goal Ward would wish he had back as the puck somehow got through the goalie at a tight angle.

The Canes would battle hard the rest of the period and put 18 shots on goal in that period alone, but could not solve Vokoun, who was named the game's first star.

Next up for Carolina will be the Penguins, in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

Game Notes:

Jay Harrison and Brett Sutter led the way with five shots on goal each.
The team was credited with 21 hits, led by Tuomo Ruutu and Alexei Ponikarovsky each with four.
Justin Faulk and Bryan Allen each had two blocked shots, the team high. Faulk also had a game high 25:25 of ice time.
The Canes won 47% of the game's faceoffs: (Staal 44%, Sutter 53%, Jokinen 67%, Brent 25%)
Jeff Skinner played well for his first game back after a 16 game hiatus. He had one shot on goal and was credited with three hits. Skinner said he felt more like himself in the third period.
Considering Carolina was playing the second game of a back-to-back and the third game in four nights, it was a valiant effort. The Caps had the previous night off.
For post game interviews, check out Canes PR.com.

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Comments

Good game, I thought poor Skinner looked way out of synch. To be expected I guess. Allen, Harrison, and Faulk continue to look great.

by prplmnkydw on Jan 16, 2012 12:13 AM EST reply actions

A strange statistic for this game would be that every Carolina line player was credited with at least one Shot-On-Goal.

Anyone know the last time Jussi had a goal ? Seems like months ago.

by drifterscape on Jan 16, 2012 12:27 AM EST reply actions

Think I read

Maybe via Chip on Twitter that it was his first in 25 games, but correct me if I’m wrong

- C. Wilson, CC's resident Checkers analyst.

by C. Wilson Spiers on Jan 16, 2012 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

that’s what Chuck and the letter K said as well.

by jbwhite99 on Jan 16, 2012 7:09 AM EST up reply actions

Eh.

This is a game I would have loved to see the Canes win, because I know how much of a confidence boost it would have been for that whole bunch to come from behind in the third with the adversity of an early start time on the back end of a back to back. A couple times there, Canes lines generated a lot and I mean a lot of sustained puck possession and pressure in their own end, I think one such shift was from the Staal line with Ruutu and Poni, just seemed like Vokoun was almost unbeatable. Faulk looked good again. Another NHL first goal on us? Ugh! Never the less, baby steps. Hopefully down the road, with a couple more key pieces in place, this is a game this team will learn how to grind out a win in on the road, can’t wait until Skinner scores his first since returning, I have to admit I was holding my breath every time he drew even a little contact, but it’s good to see 53 back again!

- C. Wilson, CC's resident Checkers analyst.

by C. Wilson Spiers on Jan 16, 2012 12:41 AM EST reply actions

Can’t blame the guys for the effort. It’s almost okay to lose when we play like we did in that third period. We should have won, but Vokoun kept us from it.

by NorwegianCaniac on Jan 16, 2012 6:09 AM EST reply actions

this loss is acceptable

You can never expect to win them all, so when you lose a game you can accept it when you see that effort. I think the Canes dominated most of the game just couldnt get one in the third. You can see the team has really bought into the new system now and great to just see Skinner back on the ice.

by Matt Katlen on Jan 16, 2012 8:35 AM EST reply actions

we most certainly would have won, had Chad LaRose been in this game.

"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011

by Capt. Stinky on Jan 16, 2012 8:47 AM EST reply actions

we are lost without him

"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011

by Capt. Stinky on Jan 16, 2012 8:47 AM EST up reply actions

You’re joking right?

by CruelIn10tions on Jan 16, 2012 9:17 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

very much so, yes

Chad has had a great career in Carolina for a rags-to-riches kinda guy, but it is painfully clear from the compete level of the past three games that he is not only no longer needed here, but does not fit into what the team is now doing, aka a strong forechecking game.

Good luck wherever you end up, #59…

"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011

by Capt. Stinky on Jan 16, 2012 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

All in all I agree this was not a bad effort by the Canes. Caps are still a very good team, regardless of their early season struggles. Canes played a back to back, making the short hop to get to DC. To me this was like the Flyers game last week, Canes hung tough but the other team just had more horsepower in the end. The system is there, the by-in to the system is there. The effort and heart is there, as is a growing confidence. Only the overall team skill level is below what was needed to pull this one out. Getting Skins back was great but I agree he was very rusty. I think a healthy Samson could have been a difference maker in this one.

by Hockeydog on Jan 16, 2012 10:22 AM EST reply actions

FYI, not a huge deal, but I thought Ruutu made some “interesting” choices with his passing last night…

"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011

by Capt. Stinky on Jan 16, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

Different conversation here if Ruutu had buried the puck late in the third! How did he miss that? No worries. The team is remarkably competitive lately. I believe one top-liner to compliment Staal and this team makes the playoffs.

by Franklnc on Jan 16, 2012 10:25 AM EST reply actions

so blatantly obvious, isn't it?

Man, if we could just get the first line to bury 1-2 goals per game, and the 2nd/3rd liners and PP unit keep chugging along, we’d be rolling 4-3 and 3-2 wins pretty consistently. Amazing to me what a simple change in concept — getting pucks deep and forechecking hard — has done for this team.

"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011

by Capt. Stinky on Jan 16, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

i too wished the canes

could have raised some of the shots off the ice and over Volkiun’s shoulders..but was has been done has been done…the canes lost a potentially winable game…it was good to see Skinner back out there and yes it wasn’t until the 3rd period when he started to get his ’legs" back. was pleased as punch for Jussi to get a goal after waiting for so long…and Ruutu,Faulk,Harrison all did a great job..loved that Dwyer too one for the team..was one ugly loking hit. but the player i missed most was Samson..and sad to say NOT Rosie…how all of this will play out ..i have no clue..have a good day folks…

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

by CaniacSteve on Jan 16, 2012 10:45 AM EST reply actions

It was overall a great effort by the Canes considering the emotional win against the Bruins the night before. Carolina was clearly the better team. Vokoun saved the Caps. Only wish the coaching change was done much sooner. The team is playing much better under Muller and it is showing on the ice. If we can just get some lucky bounces to go our way. This team definitely does not miss LaRose.

by skinnerthewinner on Jan 16, 2012 11:36 AM EST reply actions

You guys played a nice game. I think the Caps got lucky, and were bailed out by Vokoun…this was a monster hit by Ovie though.

by SA-Town on Jan 16, 2012 12:03 PM EST reply actions

Ovie is a dik. Go play in your own sandbox and leave our alone.

Buy a bike, dress-up like a pirate, ride to the bar, sing Freebird, ride home. Badass.

by CrunchyGranola on Jan 16, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

waaaaa

by Feeshbate on Jan 16, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

Ovechkin is as strong as an ox. Ruutu is a beast and Ovechkin was able to stand him up. As I recall, Ruutu had some other quite nice hits as well. I for one am glad to have you post here often.

by abramsdoug on Jan 16, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, was glad to see him not leave his feet for a change or stick a knee out…

"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward

by anonymousJ on Jan 16, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

I can certainly see how both Ovie and Caps fans would consider that to be a nice revenge hit for Ruutu knocking Wideman out and on the same shift knocking Ovie on HIS ass last season.

twitter @jbk_ltd

by Jamie Kellner on Jan 16, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

+15

"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward

by anonymousJ on Jan 16, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

It’s amazing how few people can get good hits on Ovie…I would say for every 15 hits Ovie lays out, he gets one back…not trying to stir the pot….

by SA-Town on Jan 16, 2012 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

Then stay on your own board. When you come to other other teams board and post a video of the other teams player getting checked hard that is stirring the pot. You know it and we know it too. Don’t pretend. Ovie is a great player that every team would want. Super.

by Hockeydog on Jan 16, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

We do a pretty good job here of welcoming other fans and enjoy their company. Caps fans like ‘red army line’ come by once in a while and he usually has real good stuff to share. Sorry to jump on you, but it seems like stirring the pot is exactly what you’re doing by just joining CC and immediately posting a gif of Ovie running Ruutu over. If I did the same at Japer’s Rink, I’m sure I’d be called out for trolling.

"I'm not going to waste my time with Tuukka Rask" - Cam Ward

by anonymousJ on Jan 16, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

hey, leave this guy alone

caps haven’t had much to cheer for this year. they were hand-picked by many to compete for the cup this year, and obviously they once again have disappointed. if all their fans have left is to spend time putting together animation to spam opponents discussion boards, then leave them to it.

"I need to make sure I don't get too frustrated and stay focused on my game...The points and the offense, you have to believe, are going to come." - Eric Staal, 11/6/2011

by Capt. Stinky on Jan 17, 2012 6:23 AM EST up reply actions