For NHL rookies, memories are made of this ...
For the Canes' Dwight Helminen, it was scoring his first NHL goal and notching his first assist in Carolina's 6-4 victory Sunday over the Maple Leafs. For Patrick Dwyer, it was getting more than 14 minutes of ice time in his NHL debut and being a part of the comeback win.
On the goal, which tied the score 3-3, Helminen said: "We had a good shift going and just were getting pucks to the net. They almost got it out of the zone. We got it back in. We got a shot from the point and the puck came back out.
"It was kind of to my left. It was kind of a bouncing puck and I just tried to get my stick on it and chip it towards the net."
What he did was chip it past Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph.
The Canes saved the puck for Helminen, who was playing his fourth game since being called up from Albany (AHL).
"I don't know where it is right now but they've got it," a smiling Helminen said.
Canes coach Peter Laviolette noted that Helminen started on the fourth line, moved up to the third line and kept on moving.
"He ended on (Eric) Staal's line," Laviolette said. "That's pretty good progress in one night."
Then there was Dwyer. With forward Matt Cullen sidelined with an injury, Dwyer was called up from Albany on Sunday.
Dwyer played games for the Rivers Rats both Friday and Saturday. He got the news from River Rats coach Jeff Daniels after Saturday's game that he was needed in Raleigh.
"It's amazing," Dwyer said. "It's something you dream about as a kid, and then to get out there and actually do it is an amazing feeling.
"I was excited. After playing the two nights with Albany and then flying all day, I think I was running truly off adrenaline. But I felt good. I just wanted to relish it and enjoy the experience."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Good for them!!!
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 14:05 — Anonymous (not verified)Good for them!!!
It's been quite a month for
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 11:28 — PJ (not verified)It's been quite a month for the Dwyer family. His NHL debut on Sunday and the birth of his first child, a son, on Sept. 30 in Wisconsin. Mother, child -- and Dad -- are all doing quite well.
Dwyer Was
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 09:38 — esteban1949he was really pushing it...but alot of the Rats like him,Gillies to name a few are really working hard to be able to step it up to make it to the canes.Sadly the Rats over all record doesn't reflect that...but they like the kids in Lethbridge or in Spokane do play their hearts out. And isn't that what the AHL,WHL is all about? Go Canes !!
Got the details wrong Chip
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 09:30 — Justin Walther (not verified)As far as I remember, in the post-game presser, Laviolette said DWYER, not Helminen, started on the 4th line, moved up, and ended up on Staal's line by the end of the game. 14 mins and crucial penalty killing? Get this guy an apartment!
good for the guys
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 09:14 — Anonymous (not verified)You can see so clearly why the Rats had such a good effect on the NHLers last year. The closeup of Ray when Dwight was pitching the puck over CuJo was perfect. I think he may have rivaled Helminen for most excitement about that goal. That is real passion and real delight and it is just what this team needs. I certainly don't want our top players falling like flies anymore, but it is nice to have the Rats and their terrific attitudes in the back pocket, as they say!
River Rats
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 09:10 — blueliner (not verified)As bad as I hate to seen our boys go down with injuries, it is great to know that we have such an incredible group of players that we can rely on to step up and play at the NHL level like they have been doing it all along. Way to go Helminen on that goal, definately one to remember.
Dwyer's story - three games
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 09:00 — FuquayCaniacDwyer's story - three games in three days, plus traveling from NY to NC - that is good stuff. Amazing he played as well as he did.