Bruins 5, Hurricanes 1
BOSTON — Every team is going to have days like this, games like this, losses like this. For the Carolina Hurricanes, the game Saturday against the Boston Bruins was that kind of day.
The Canes, in one of the most frustrating, futile games of the season, were pounded 5-1 by the Bruins at the TD Banknorth Garden.
Michael Ryder had a pair of goals and David Krejci a goal and two assists for the Bruins, the Eastern Conference leaders. The Bruins, with a pair of minor-league callups in the lineup, chased goalie Cam Ward in the second period and continued the scoring assault on backup Michael Leighton.
With Boston leading 5-0, Justin Williams got the Canes on the board at 6:07 of the third to end the shutout bid by goalie Tim Thomas (17-4-3).
"We won't be bragging about that game," Canes coach Paul Maurice sarcastically said.
It was the first time since Maurice was named coach Dec. 3 that the Hurricanes lost back-to-back games in regulation. Saturday's loss came against a Boston team that has won 12 of the last 14.
Williams, who has two goals and two assists in his last four games, redirected a shot by defenseman Frantisek Kaberle, who was back in the lineup -- and playing his 200th game as a Hurricane -- with Tim Gleason sidelined with an injury suffered Thursday against Florida.
Gleason, whose physical play was missed, reaggravated an ankle injury that kept him out eight games in late-November and early December. It is not another high ankle sprain and he could return soon.
The Bruins, 16-3-1 at home this season, had dropped two in a row at the Garden before beating Ottawa 6-4 on Thursday. But they topped the Hurricanes for the third time this season after taking 4-2 victories in the first two games.
The Canes trailed 2-0 after the first, giving up the first goal in the final seconds of a power play and then having the puck bounce off a skate and past Ward for the second goal.
"When they scored the power-play goal, for whatever reason, it seemed to deflate us," Maurice said. "We were excited about coming and and playing them and I liked the chances we had in the first.
"I'm not sure they had better chances than we did. The second goal went off two people. But after that we got outplayed badly."
Asked how disappointed he was, Maurice replied, "What scale do you want to use? We're disappointed."
Mark Stuart added an early second-period goal, giving the puck a quick fling from the left circle at 3:27. Forward Byron Bitz, called up today from Providence (AHL) and making his NHL debut, had the primary assist.
Leighton then took over for Ward, who gave up three goals on 12 shots. It was Leighton's first work since Dec. 23 at Minnesota, and Ryder soon popped a shot past him to make it 4-0.
Krejci's power-play goal gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead. Krejci's goal at 7:55 came with seven seconds left on the power play after the Canes' Scott Walker was penalized for interference.
Stephane Yelle was credited with the second goal, even though he never saw the puck. It nicked his skate and ricocheted past Ward. Another Saturday callup, Martins Karsums, had the primary assist.
The Canes' Eric Staal mixed it up with towering defenseman Zdeno Chara in front of the Boston goal. Chara received a roughing penalty to give the Canes their first power-play chance.
The Canes did not have a power play Thursday at Florida. Make it 88 1-2 minutes between power plays — the last late in the second period against New Jersey. The finished 0-3 against the Bruins.
Matt Cullen's new line with Williams and Ray Whitney has been active. The line had five shots on goal in the first and later the Williams goal. Ray Whitney also assisted on the goal. ...
Bitz, who is listed at 6-3 and 200 pounds but looks bigger, was throwing his body around for the Bruins and crunched Kaberle along the boards on one bruising check. ...
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
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CanesRBoring
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 23:47 — Puckin_awesomeRob Bell once said "Some people are looking for a fight because they aren't in one." My guess is you live a hollow life. It is incredible to see the amount of hostility and antagonism you spew onto this board. My suggestion? Find something in life that you really care about, something that may actually make the world a better place, and embrace it. Direct your passion into something that will make a difference. You can't be a "happily married man" with all the anger you display here.
So, what's your goal here? Do you want Canes Now to become a ghost town? Do you want the Canes to leave town? Then what? We can look forward to a sub-par NC State football season each year. You say you love the sport of hockey. Then love the sport. Let us love the sport as well. It's clear that you don't share the views of the vast majority on this board. You pick fights and then accuse the first person that bites of being a childish crybaby. We're adults. Join us or find others that feel the same as you and join their blog. Or better yet, just enjoy the sport. No blogging. Your anger is about something else. It's not about hockey, and it's not about the Canes.
Canes
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 05:03 — umakatrickCanes Now to become a ghost town? Do you want the Canes to leave town? Then what? We can look forward to a sub-par NC State football season each year. You say you love the sport of hockey. Then love the sport. Coursework Let us love the sport as well. It's clear that you don't share the views of the vast majority on this board. You pick fights and then accuse the first person that bites of being a childish crybaby. We're adults. Join us or find others that feel the same as you and join their blog. Or better yet, just enjoy the sport. No blogging. Your anger is about something else. It's not about hockey, and it's not about the Canes. Assignment
Blogging and Anger
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 10:37 — abramsdougThanks for your post. It is well-stated. People can disagree without being disrespectful. Anger in a Canes Blog is misplaced.
Thank you
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 09:25 — Richie7Puckin_awesome thanks for this post! I agree I am tired of the same old boring posts from that angry guy. So Sad you almost feel sorry for the guy then he posts again and well......
Whatever...
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 21:14 — penaltykiller74You win.
Complain all you want about our small mediocre hockey team on this board all you want.
Complain about the management.
Complain about Tripp and John.
As with most blogs, the only people who really blog are the ones who think what they have to say matters, or they just like to complain and stir the pot. I've done it to. But, no more.
I'm off this blog. I'm wasting my time bickering back and forth with probably the same fan I'm high fiving at the game when the Canes score. Its a joke.
As for researching your blogging record, whatever. If you think you deserve that much attention, get it from someone else.
But, as I part this blog, you should really get some help for your pessemistic attitude. It really does bring down the whole tone of this blog.
This isn't a hockey blog. Its a Canes blog. So to come on here and be as down as you are about the Canes game, is disrespectful to the true Caniacs. Take that 'tude to a "hockey" blog and leave it off here.
GO CANES!!! Boring or Exciting - Caniac Til The End!!!
The pen is mightier than the sword...
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 22:15 — CanesRBoringI live in the south and subsribe to the N&O, so what makes this place off limits for me?
This is a forum sponsored by a newspaper where people can meet and discuss differing points of view. I repeat, a newspaper forum! Newspaper=points of view?
I am not on the Canes forums out of respect for those who want to cheer their team.
Canarse had it right when he said there is a bunch of cry babies here. And you quitting just reinforces that attitude. Wow what a Caniac you are...QQ and quit when you can't effectively reply to a post. You would be a poor hockey player!
I get flak all the time from you Cryniacs, but I am not a quitter nor a crybaby. Man grow up!
If you like your team, great! There are plenty of reasons why one would love this team. I just don't like this team, so I have every right to post my opinions just as much as you do.
I bring more than just the Canes lack of size to these forums, but you kids just read the name and react childishly when someone does not like the Canes. It happens all the time: I get sweared at and childishly get challenged to meet in person. However, the pen is mightier than the sword!
I am on other blogs as well (NHL, TSN, HB boards to name a few), and the Caniacs have a undeniable reputation of being crybabies and you just did all of the other sensible and reasonable Caniacs a disservice.
Any one with an inkling of rationality would see right through your childish rantings. "Mommy he doesn't like me or my team..boohoo.
.
What is the average age on this blog?
Well, hurry along, I am sure mommy is waiting for you with milk and cookies.
NEXT!
P.S. even if you quit your log on name, we all know your reading this as an unregistered visitor...Busted!
Jerk.
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 22:42 — richardfocJerk.
Well, Lets see
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 07:20 — esteban1949My what a mix we have to chose from. The Albany River Rats caged Hershey, The Panthers imploded, and the Canes, did not come out like the NJ Devils did the other night,and played as if lives and paychecks depended on it. As the devils hit the canes just as hard as the Bruins did. Yet asside from a few mild out bursts from Staal, and getting knocked on their butts for trying,as did Sutter, LaRose, and Williams...gee the canes must have sent replacement players as it seems the same team we know, must still be hiding out in Florida, too ashamed to show up maybe...or was that too sore and hurt to show up ? esteban backs up and goes to look up and see if the canes has any real scum bag, low life rough and tough dirty players out there they can call up...maybe that type of goon and head hunter type of "intensity" might get the staph infection" out of the canes and get them moving,hitting harder and crashing the net more...naw..that aint JR & Mo's way is it ? Let's go Rats !!
Size does matter
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 18:37 — SillyRabbityes, size and grittiness is one of the biggest reasons the Canes are a 2nd tier team at best. If you watch Hockey Night in Canada, that exact point has been raised a number of times. In fact, its a well-known fact that teams love to hit the Canes because they generally do not respond.
Ironically, the team that came out of the lockout with the best team effort is now woefully behind the curve when it comes to today's winning clubs. The SE division is a joke except for the Caps.
Canes v. Bruins
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 18:09 — abramsdougIt is not the last game the Hurricanes will lose this year, unfortunately. The question is how the Hurricanes respond. Will they fade as they did under Laviolette or will they return to intense, intelligent, winning hockey? The Bruins are such an excellent team that they can quickly humiliate a team that doesn't come out ready to battle. This game is conclusive proof that the Hurricanes are not such a powerful team that they can compete with the Bruins unless they are totally committed to a 60 minute, high energy performance. It's a legitimate concern that other teams are starting to use physical play to get the Hurricanes off their game. I'd be vastly happier if Jim Rutherford would obtain a young, intense, big-bodied wing to bring the Ruutu-like physical play to another line. On the other hand, Whitney/Cullen/Williams showed speed and potential. It's just one game in a long season. If the Hurricanes had taken care of business against Florida, the Bruins game would be much less of a concern. Now we get to see how Maurice/Francis work to bring back intensity after two losses.
The Canes will win...
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 18:28 — CanesRBoringYou make a good point, how will they respond. This team should use their speed not their bodies.
I have no doubt the Canes will win again and will go so far as to say they could surely make the playoffs if, like you said, they play their style.
See I can agree
Never Bring a knife to a Gun Fight...
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 16:42 — CanesRBoringI was concerned that the Bruins would try to match the Canes boring puck pursuit style (i.e. no hits, just play the puck) or come out with a lack of interest in playing this mediocre team. When an opposing team falls into that slumber trap, they have a tough time against these midgets, but this game the Bruins displayed what a top tier team looks like in todays NHL: well balanced with SIZE, physical grit and speed.
The Bruins also displayed what happens to a small non physical dump and chase team that tries to play at that level: total domination.
The Canes mistake in this game was trying to be physical. Former Cane coach Laviolette and JR spent yrs building midgets who excel at avoiding physicality and drawing penalties by diving. Kinda like soccer and ACC basketball
players...hmmm.
For you novices about Mo, the formula he was trying in today's game was his usual slow grinding style that he has used so many times in the past. However, with a roster full of speedy midgets whom duck when they hear the word "HIT!", it was doomed to fail.
The last time Mo was here, he had some physical players, one was Aaron Ward who ironically is now paired with Chara on Boston [JR thought the Canes didn't need grit or size so he let him go].
If the Canes are going to make the playoffs, they need to get back to their excruciating non exciting style of hockey.
Play the puck, play the puck; not the body. In other words, bore the opposing team and their fans to death.
Never bring a knife to a gun fight.
Never bring 5 fingers, 4 toes and 1 nose to a math fight
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 00:51 — beer210The Canes are not small, just perceived as such. Part of that perception is based on a lack of physical play over the course of the last 4 seasons, part is perpetuated by people who don't check their facts. Fact (I can use bold too)- of the 22 players that Boston lists on their roster, their average weight is 198.9 lbs and avg height is 73.5" (these are of course skewed by the head hunting mass of Chara's 255lbs and 81" ). The 20 midgets (and italics!) listed on the Hurricanes roster are, by comparison, a heavier 199.3 lbs and are giving up less than an inch of height at 72.7".
The Hurricanes failed to win tonight because of reasons other than size. Goaltending, leadership, and goal scoring talents are just some of the things that come to mind. Boring C-R-B is evidently a side effect of that. I'd suggest he grab a Red Bull and watch the winter x-games - plenty of non boring action and limited math.
Reading Comprehension...
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 19:50 — CanesRBoring...FAILED!
As I stated two times before, I mentioned more than just size...geez people... come on, can't you do better than this?
Boy, I feel like I am babysiting here!
The BOLD was an attempt to help you in your reading comprehension, which I see has utterly and completely failed.
I can picture you pulling out that calculator at 1 am going over the roster stats...LOL and thats what you call math?
Stop wasting our time and yours...
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 17:18 — penaltykiller74They lost because they played a hot team in a building that the hardly ever lose in. Not size.
All you do is come on this blog and bitch and moan. Specifically that the Canes are too small. I've been reading that on your posts all season long.
You're constant complaining about player size caused me to compare the average size of the Bruins vs the Canes. Even though the have Chara at 6'9" and 251, they are only 0.8 inches taller and 2.9 lbs heavier. 73.5 inches to 72.7 and 202.7lbs to 199.8lbs.
PLEASE give the size issue a rest. You are wrong.
And with a name like CanesRBoring, why do you even read or post on this blog.
Go read your own teams board, because its obviously not the Canes.
On that note, GO CANES!!!
Informing the Novices like yourself...
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 18:18 — CanesRBoringHa I knew it, the age ole Cryniac excuse: we lost because we played a better team.
Well I ask you, why are the Bruins a better team? At least I bring reasons, all you and your Cryniacs bring is fan support rhetoric.
Go Team!...woohoo!..pomm pomm shakes!...Enter Piggy mascot doing the "Flash Dance" routine!
I mentioned more than just size, I was illustrating team balance [reading comprehension=failed].
However a quick lesson for you novices about size and grit:
1. Force=Mass X Acceleration.
The bigger mass combined with accleration equates to more force. The more force a team brings in a contact sport, the more control the team can bring [ which the Bruins illustrated] along with excitement for the fans which afterall we true blood hockey fans want.
2. Comparing the whole team size does nothing, you must look at the players on the ice and who they are paired up against. Their size as well as each players type of playstyle too.
3. Listen to others outside your closed bubble Cane world and you will see that size is one aspect albeit an integral part of hockey and any full contact sport.
Asking why I read this post or watch the Canes, only illustrates your ignorance to the game itself and opposing views.
I am saving my best post as to why this team (and other southern teams), this management, the south and their fans are destroying hockey for later!
Bet ya can't wait for that huh sport?
Class dissmissed.
Go Midgets!
He's Right
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 10:53 — CanarseThere are a bunch of crybabies on this board that can't take the truth. This is as soft a team as there is in the NHL. Justin Williams as much as agreed in the paper this morning. Size is a portion of the issue, but toughness isn't all about size. Unfortunately, the Canes are neither big or tough.
Rutherford is a poor GM. He caught lightining in a bottle by adjusting the team to the new rules in '05. The rules drifted and now the Canes are back to what they always have been, a team that might make the playoffs. Now we get to watch Paul Maurice do what he does. Take marginal teams and get them to play tight defense so they can compete. Zzzzzzzzzz....
Poor Teaching...
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 23:30 — penaltykiller74First of all, I can read and comprehend. You're comprehension on the other hand is in question. I was only stating that you almost always mention the Canes size, which you can't deny that you do.
Thanks for the elementary Physics lesson. I aced that class over 20 years ago, and I think the same laws apply today.
I agree that they need to use their speed to their advantage.
I also understand the whole matchup vs size issue. They also have somewhat failed to gel as a team and get some chemistry
going. That can over come simple physical matchups, because its more
like trying to defend a player with foresight. Gretzky was only 6'0"
and 185lbs., but he knew where his outlet passes were. That is not
affected by a size matchup. He had chemistry, and he was awesome to
boot.
All the belly-aching you do on this board about it, doesn't do $h!T. Just makes you looklike you either hate the Canes or you're a Buffalo fan.
Look... I love hockey and I am a CANIAC. I don't agree with all the JR - Headshot "boo-hoo"ing. Its part of the game. Do I think he dropped the ball at some trade deadlines, you bet I do. Do I think we need a true enforcer, you bet.
But, I don't sit on here and bitch about it, nor am I a fan following the herd.
We do not have a traditional hockey team, but we have a hockey team. And that alone will make me a fan.
So, answer the main question CanesRBoring - who is your team?
GO CANES!!!
Belly Aching...
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 19:43 — CanesRBoringYou should re read your reply and objectively ask yourself if it doesn't sound like you are belly aching as you accuse me of.
As for the team I support, you should do some blog archiving. Afterall, research is a big part of learning. A HINT: 1. I cheer for the game; not the team. 2. O.K. I see it could be difficult for ya so...Archive 12/4/08. [now don't you feel I cheated for ya?]
And why all the swearing and adolescent challenges when you Caniacs reply? Are you all under 21yo?
Bet He's from Hartford
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 20:12 — kimbus"CanesRBoring"
The arrogance shines through but there's something missing. Bet you played 3rd line defense on a 2 line rotation.
Bet your home town hasn't hoisted the Stanley Cup in ..... well... forever!
I'm guesing you are either a hurting Whaler fan or worse yet... A Hab, leaf, Senator or whoever else is the "Great White Hope".
"If you'd like to have a Go" in the South. Please contact me:)
"Bet you played 3rd line
Sun, 01/11/2009 - 19:57 — CanesRBoring"Bet you played 3rd line defense on a 2 line rotation." What excatly does that mean?
"If you'd like to have a Go" in the South. Please contact me:) " Uhmmm...no thanks I am a happily married man!