Along for the ride
Scott Walker put it best. It was a heck of a ride.
From the opening night win over Florida to the 4-1 loss to Pittsburgh in the fourth and final game of the Eastern Conference finals, it was a long and often tiring and mostly rewarding ride for the Carolina Hurricanes. And, for an N&O rookie who was along for a lot of the ride.
What to the remember? Games are games and there were a lot of them. But it's all about the guys in the room and the men who coached them.
Let's go around the room:
Eric Staal: always a standup guy, even after the toughest defeats.
Ray Whitney: quietly intense, intensely proud of his season, his team.
Cam Ward: Mr. March, no one in the league was better in the stretch run.
Rod Brind'Amour: rough season, played with pain, gave all he had.
Tim Gleason: he's tough, he's strong, he's a leader.
Scott Walker: he's got your back, always.
Chad LaRose: the hustler, always.
Matt Cullen: so steady, so productive, so competitive.
Sergei Samsonov: thoughtful, streaky good on the ice.
Joni Pitkanen: the smile, the skating, the dependability.
Tuomo Ruutu: one of his favorite sayings is "carpe diem." He often did.
Jussi Jokinen: all trades should work out so well.
Ryan Bayda: soft-spoken off the ice, a hard driver on it.
Joe Corvo: introspective, proud, talented.
Dennis Seidenberg: the ultimate nice guy, underrated player.
Niclas Wallin: a solid season for the veteran defenseman.
Erik Cole: came back, gave Canes a needed lift.
Patrick Eaves: nasty wrister, maybe next year is his year.
Michael Leighton: wanted to play more, great teammate.
Anton Babchuk: the big shot, a silent man who often went his own way.
Frantisek Kaberle: tough injury early, he seemed to never fully recover.
The coaches
Paul Maurice: the humor, the patience, the determination.
Ron Francis: has he found a home behind the bench?
Tom Rowe: always a friendly word, an offer to help.
Tom Barrasso: did so much to help Cam Ward improve.
Kevin McCarthy: disappointed to leave bench but a team guy.
And lest we forget, Peter Laviolette: direct, disciplined, organized.
Yes, a lot to remember. The look on Eric Staal's face after that Game 7 winner in New Jersey. Scott Walker's mad dash at Boston after his Game 7 overtime winner -- score one for me and everything will be all right, his wife had said that day.
In December or January, who would have ever thought the Hurricanes' season would end in late May, in the Eastern Conference finals?
Some ride.
About the blogger
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is in his second season as the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at chip.alexander@newsobserver.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ice_chip.
Comments
Hooray!!
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 11:12 — HarpoonTheWhaleThank God the Penguins put an end to this nonsense and swept your Whalers from the playoffs. If you don't win the Cup, it makes no difference whether you lose in Round 1, 2, 3 or the finals. Might as well be happy that you lost now instead of to the unbeatable Big Red Machine. Although I didn't see any of this series, a s a Bruins fan, it was nice to see the Whalers get swept.
Let's see....
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 18:49 — moecap24Hmmmmm.......
I guess if my team's season ended in round 2 instead of round 3, I wouldn't want to keep track either.
It was a great run. And no, we didn't win the Cup. And yes, we got swept in Round 3. But I'm sure the Bruins would rather have played another round, even if they lost in the end. Instead, they were golfing.
This was Carolina's 3rd trip to the conference finals since 2002........ I'm not sure how that qualifies as "nonsense".
Great Run - good comments Chip
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 11:58 — Caniac324I really enjoyed the run! The Team and the Fans should be very proud of the Season!! I have to give credit to JR for doing what was needed even when it was not very popular with the Fans (myself included). I am very pleased that it turned out so well for the Organization, I was a concerned to say the least but the Proof is in and no one can argue with the results!!!
Go Canes!
Great Ride and Building for Next Year
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 08:55 — abramsdougIt was truly a great ride this season. Nobody wanted it to end, but it was an inspirational season with far more highs than lows. Jim Rutherford was again a magician as he rebuilt the team with key trades and acquisitions over the past three years. I kept thinking all year that if the Hurricanes could only refine their powerplay, we'd have a strong shot at the finals. In the end, the lack of scoring on powerplays was the Achilles heel for the team. The great news is that Boychuk is waiting in the wings for his chance; and he'll bring dangerous speed to the team. I see the team as two players away from being a powerhouse team -- one wing/center with size, speed, and a physical edge; and one defender in the Aaron Ward mold -- large, intense, who can provide a needed physical presence to the defense. The Hurricanes have some excellent prospects for defense for scoring and skating. I am confident Jim Rutherford recognizes what it will take to bring the Hurricanes into the next level. I wish training camp began next month. I already miss the Hurricanes not playing.
Personal Touch
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 08:45 — greensborogeezerChip, you might be a rookie hockey reporter but you brought a personal touch to the team and the team members. Hope to hear the same approach when you report on the key player signings etc,
Thanks
Yes sadly
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 08:20 — esteban1949The ride for this trip to the cup is over...but wait, what do see in the horizon ? Seems some of us forget about a possible greater tomorrow, when we are so focused on today. Not a bad thing...but with what the Canes have coming up from the Juniors as well as battle tested players from the AHL...there is cause for hope for tomorrow...is there not ? Or are we fininding solace in our dispair that we rather NOT think of or about Tomorrow ?? Thanks Chip for all the encouragemnt...
Go Canes !!