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Canes 2, Blues 1

Submitted by jpg on 01/02/2009 - 20:26

Staff photo by Chris Seward

RALEIGH — Anton Babchuk's power-play goal gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 home win over the St. Louis Blues on Friday.

Babchuk beat St. Louis goalie Chris Mason at 11:05 in the third period to give the Canes a 2-0 lead.

St. Louis cut the lead in half 51 seconds later with David Backes' goal.

The Canes led 1-0 for the first two and half periods thanks to a power-play goal by Eric Staal.

Staal finished a power-play opportunity that bounced off of St. Louis defenseman Tyson Strachan's skate and Tuomo Ruutu's midsection to Staal's stick. He roofed it at 5:26 for the early lead.

Shortly after, Staal took a check from David Backes and had to leave the ice. He returned to the bench with 5 minutes left in the first.

The second period turned contentious when Strachan, a former Canes draft pick (fifth round, 2003), checked Ray Whitney from behind into the boards. Strachan got a five-minute major penalty and an automatic game misconduct for the hit.

But 58 seconds into the power-play, Rod Brind'Amour got penalized for holding a St. Louis player's stick.

Whitney left the ice with an injured left shoulder but returned shortly after.

The Canes missed a chance to build on their lead. They had 1:40 of a two-man advantage but could not beat Mason.

Comments

Winning Hockey

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 23:37 — abramsdoug

I was at both the 12/31 and the 1/2 games. Both games were exciting and the crowd was definitely into both games. It is true that that the 2005-2006 crowds were insanely loud and proud -- and that level of crowd excitement on a consistent basis would be a definite asset to this year's team. We brought guests to both games and they loved the game and the team. Neither games were perfect in their execution; but they were both exciting and hard-fought. I think changing the lines tonight to LaRose/Cullen/Walker is a step in the right direction. Brind'Amour had a better overall game and his minutes were about equal with the Cullen line. I'd still like to see a Whitney/Cullen/Williams line because I am convinced that line would add some more consistent scoring. I find the Maurice/Francis Hurricane team to be a much more sound team than under Laviolette. I hope we will continue to see large and enthusiastic crowds at the RBC Center.

Say it isn't so...

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 09:40 — esteban1949

Eric Staal trying to do Gene Simmons ( Kiss Rock and roll fame) impersonations by trying ( key word there) to get his tounge down past his chin ? Hmmmm...i had to laugh as as soon as that replay was shown, it shot for a qiuck nano second shot of one of the Storm squad and she had a funny look on her face...naw...Staal had better stick with hockey...No ?

There are no published

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 09:35 — ctill

There are no published numbers on how many fans attend a Canes game. The Canes know, but they're not telling. They publish the number of tickets that were sold, including the number of season tickets. Let's assume that most people who buy single-game tickets actually use them, although there are exceptions like group buys and the make-up games for season ticket holders (these are often games against unexciting opponents). The real question is, how many season ticket holders show up on a given night. Some nights, nearly all of them do; other nights, not so many. I imagine that for some season ticket holders, there is a correlation between physical attendance one season and renewal for the next season.

To gauge actual attendance, look at the 100s. If you see lots of empty seats, it's generally because season ticket holders didn't show up.

I couldn't go last night, but I was there for Dec 31. My guess is that about 16,000 actually attended -- relative to 18,137 ticket sales.

I have no doubt you are

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 01:26 — robotron2084

I have no doubt you are bored by the Canes, seemingly regardless of the style they are playing, but 17,000+ in attendance tonight is hardly a vacant RBC Center.

Don't underestimate the "shallowness" of the typical sports fan. They are rarely bored so long as their team is winning.

a Win

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 00:29 — esteban1949

grant you things could have been better in the 2nd & 3rd periods, but what got me was that shot Whitney took and from the way his left (?) arm looked to be hanging I figured it was a seperated shoulder or a busted wrist. And that player from St.Louis got his marbles rattled where he ended up getting escorted off the ice, he looked like his"bell' was totally rung!! My neighbor invited me over as and while we has a TV, but no cable,sat or "normal" tv viewing...too much junk,violence...and sex !!! Man you don't want even to get me started...:-O I think the Rats won tonight as well. Will go check out the AHL site,and see.. Play Nice, Pray Harder !! Go Canes !!!!!

BTW, anyone else notice the

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 00:21 — robotron2084

BTW, anyone else notice the Canes just passed the "high flying" Pittsburgh Penguins in the standings? I'd have to imagine their fans are really stressed over their status. They've got two of the top 3 scorers in the league yet there they sit in 9th place in the East right now (albeit with a game in hand).

I won't complain about the

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 00:08 — robotron2084

I won't complain about the win. The mark of a good team is being able to beat teams you're supposed to even when you're not playing your best. But that said, that's about as disappointing a win as I've seen in a while.
What bothers me about this game is it's a return to what got them in trouble the past couple of seasons, including the beginning of this one. A solid first period, followed by a disinterested 2nd period and a playing on their heels 3rd period. They also noticeably stopped hitting people by the 3rd period. Had it not been for Cam Ward, we'd be having a much different conversation right now. The 3rd period was filled with what concerned me throughout the start of the season. Lots of passing the puck around the boards with no intent, simply looking/hoping to clear the zone. No effort to move the puck. No looking to make passes. Just get rid of it at all costs. Against a good team, this would have bitten them in the ass. You simply can't allow the opposition that much puck possession and hope to be successful.
Hopefully this was just an aberration and not a "return to (poor) form". They'll need a much more complete effort tomorrow or the Lecavalier/Prospal/St.Louis line will eat them for lunch no matter how good Cam is.
I'll also disagree with the radio post-game host that Brind'Amour had a good game. He may have hit the post, but he had at least two horrible turnovers that fortunately didn't cost them.

Bottom line is I don't care that it was a 2-1 result and that it didn't look like an All-Star game offensively, but I do care when I'm not seeing a 60 minute effort win or lose. Playing solid defensive hockey doesn't mean you can give up on puck possession or making crisp passes.

Welcome to Mo's! Dump and

Fri, 01/02/2009 - 23:35 — vortac

Welcome to Mo's! Dump and chase and sitting on our lead the entire third period. If we were playing a better team, we probably would have lost. I am sure they could play a little more offensively...but I'm happy they won

Ward was great, defense would good, good physical play to answer St. Louis. Hopefully they play the same way (with the exclusion of the third period) tomorrow.

More classic Maurice.

Fri, 01/02/2009 - 22:40 — ctill

More classic Maurice. Caffeine helps.

Classic Maurice

Fri, 01/02/2009 - 23:29 — larikat

If classic Maurice means we won the game, then get over it. Is it really necessary to complain if we are losing and complain if we are winning. WE WON THE GAME. GEEEZ

Amen

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 00:03 — wareagles81

I'll take a caffine-needed 2-1 win over an "exciting" 5-4 loss every time.

Yes, I would like a couple of more goals and the Canes certainly had their chances. But the main thing is the 2 points.

That's part of the problem...

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 01:05 — CanesRBoring

That's part of the problem with the Canes and why VS won't televise any Cane games and why the RBC is vacant, because people would rather see an exciting loss than a boring win.

The Canes squeaked by beating two of the worst teams in the NHL in boring fashion...whoopie.

Enjoy your luke warm coffee.

Vacant?

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 08:11 — JRs_Fault

What do you get out of posting drivel like this?

You clearly didn't attend the last couple of games, both near sellouts.... and to stretch it to the point of using it as a part of VS. scheduling decisions?? Seriously? Look at their schedule, and it's clear they skew to 'tradional' hockey markets (M states and the NYC area). Is Minnesota (w/~7 games?) known for a more exciting brand of hockey than the Canes? Hardly.

Drivel?

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 14:47 — Canarse

CanesRBoring's posts are hardly drivel. He is dead on when he says the Canes play boring hockey. I was at the game on New Year's Eve and their was a good crowd, but it was lulled to sleep by the dull game. Winning is first, so I won't complain, much. Long term the Canes need to make good draft picks so they have the skill to play exciting hockey. At this point they are lacking in that department.

On the other hand nearly every other small budget team plays boring hockey as well..

Wha??

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 16:50 — JRs_Fault

I was at both games (12/31 & 1/2), and they were nearly full houses... What was your point? Mine was calling CRB out on his assertions that RBC has been empty lately and that somehow the Canes style influenced VS programming.... he supported neither point in his post... hence, drivel.

I'm familiar with CRB's posts & style. Yes, he's knowledgable, but too often resorts to inflammatory stuff & abuses statistics to make points that sometimes are on the mark, but other times are not.

?

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 16:38 — AN0NYM0US

And your point, being? I know drivel when I read it. Trust me, it was drivel.

Anonymous

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 16:46 — esteban1949

is that master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications there on your wall in the bathroom from the University of free speech at all costs and the heck with good manners & taste from cell block c in Sing Sing, NY ? or someplace closer to home ? after all if one is an 'expert as you lead people to believe you are...one should as a manner of " principle" do offer proof or one's expertice...true ?

Enjoy the game tonight...but if the canes do win...do you think you could post something that would show the rest of us..out classed, lower cast folks just how Not to make it look or sould like " drivel"...Please ??

OMG he's back. Just when

Sat, 01/03/2009 - 01:39 — AN0NYM0US

OMG he's back. Just when I thought it was safe to go in the water (or on the Canes Now Blog). Canes played a tough but solid game. They got a bit too passive in the third, reminiscent of the (forgettable)Flyers fiasco, but hung on with some outstanding goaltending and hard work in the corners. It was a good crowd tonite--wish some of the 'fans' would show up in person once is a while to support the team. For me, I'd rather see an ugly win than a pretty loss......

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