AP photo
WASHINGTON -- It was a game that won't soon be forgotten, by either team. It also is a game that likely will be repeated every time the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals play this season -- brutally intense and physical.
The Caps won the Southeast Division battle 3-2 and did it in dramatic fashion. Alexander Semin first tied the score 2-2 with 2:43 left, then won it on a blast from the slot with 10.9 seconds remaining.
"He's one skill guy who can move both ways with the puck and be able to get a shot away pretty much every time he comes inside the blue line," Canes defenseman Niclas Wallin said of Semin. "It's something we'll have to go back and look at to shut him down."
Semin has 15 goals in 20 career games against the Canes. And Alexander Ovechkin had a big hand in the win, assisting on all three goals. On the winner, Ovechkin set up Semin in the slot for a blast past Canes goalie Cam Ward.
"I think everybody knows I'm going to shoot," Ovechkin said. "But I just made one step in the middle, the goalie stops and the guy (with) Semin came to me. So I just made an easy pass to (Semin)."
Semin's first goal came when the puck caromed off a skate and bounced past Ward, who had been sound and solid during the game.
"It's late in the game, they throw it at the net, it hits a skate, ricochets up and in the back of the net and it's 2-2," Canes coach Peter Laviolette said. "Then they catch a break on the last rush down the ice.
"It's a tough way to lose a hockey game."
The Caps, 4-0-1 at home this season, cut the Canes' lead in the division to two points. Washington has won three straight in the series, including the last two last season, its longest winning streak over the Canes since 2006.
Tuomo Ruutu's fifth goal of the season gave the Canes a 2-1 lead after the second period. Ruutu scored soon after Wade Brookbank was denied on a breakaway after he bolted out of the penalty box.
Brookbank couldn't convert, but moments later Ruutu fired in a wrister from the left wing at 12:13 of the second.
Sergei Fedorov had given the Caps a 1-1 tie in the second. Fedorov, streaking up the slot, took a pass from Ovechkin and was unchecked in firing a high shot past Ward.
Scott Walker scored his first goal of the season as Carolina led 1-0 after the first period. Walker scored off a Josef Melichar shot, redirecting the puck past Caps goalie Brent Johnson at 2:59 of the first.
The Canes had a two-man advantage for 1:03 early in the third but couldn't score, with Rod Brind'Amour getting the puck in front but then hitting the side of the net on a backhand.
"To go up two at that point might have made it a lot more difficult (for the Caps)," Laviolette said. "Even still, we lost the game in 2 1-2 minutes time. It's a tough way to lose."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Staal and Ward
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:56 — Anonymous (not verified)First off, please spell Eric's last name correctly. Spelling it "Stall" makes me think you only watch the news and not the game. Now I agree that Staal has not been as dynamic as he has been, but the team has no other options right now.
I do agree that Ward can not play 60 minutes on a regular basis. He can put together a full game here and there but his consistency is lacking. Bring on Leighton! While he can let in the occasional soft goal, he seems to know when to make the important save. The team does share in this as well. Loose play at the end of this one cost 2 points.
Some blog. Just posting your
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:27 — Anonymous (not verified)Some blog. Just posting your article?
How about an update on the status of Brind'Amour?? His face looked like it was sheathed off.
Seriously
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:48 — The Original Caniac (not verified)I don't know why he (Chip) does this. I assume you were there - did you get any stories from the locker room after the game? Put those in the blog. Brindy gets drilled with a stick and you don't even mention it? Maybe you weren't there. You are not getting it Chip.
Best Reporter's Blog
Sat, 11/08/2008 - 00:21 — Anonymous (not verified)I see may comments RE: the blog. For those (mainly sports) reporters posting blog entries on their papers' website:
There is no one better than Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (and NO, I'm NOT related to him).
http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/wildblog/
Best of luck from the Canes (the Stanley Cup Canes org, that is!) to Mr. Russo :-)
Numbers and Names
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:03 — Anonymous (not verified)I believe our guys simply cannot read. There are only two players on Washington you have to consistently watch. Learn their numbers and names on the back of their jerseys. It's easy. THEN HIT THEM. Let the rest of the team beat you. THAT IS WHAT THE OTHER TEAMS ARE DOING TO US!!!! Staal and Whitney are taken out of their games - the rest of the Canes have to win. Fortunately, we have been able to win a few that way.
Why we never learn.
Staal getting the Crosby treatment of a few years ago...
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 08:58 — MR (not verified)Staal is getting hammered by the other teams, much like Sidney was a few years ago. The Pens wised up and became a tougher team to protect their scoring stars. Too bad the Canes seem intent on being the softest team in the NHL.
Looks like another year of watching our best players get hammered and pushed around. The result: tons of injuries reduced effectiveness of our best players.
Agree
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 10:52 — Anonymous (not verified)I agree with this comment. It's so frustrating to see this happen time & time again, with nothing ever done to address it.
And the Canes look like midgets next to the Caps. (Well, next to pretty much every team actually, but especially the Caps.)
But I was told we're bigger & harder to play against this year! Remember, JR???...
I guess he's busy trying to change the rules of the game so no big, bad hockey players will be able to hurt his boys anymore...*cry*
Blame everyone..
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 08:44 — TarHeelFan05After the Canes went up 1-0 it seemed that the Caps took over the game..Even after the Canes went up 2-1 i believe that the Caps still had the momentum. The Hurricanes cannot continue to play loose on defense after taking or having late leads. You cant do that when your playing agianst "Ovie" and Semin. Cam Ward should have stopped that final shot, but there were alot of things that led up to the shot that should have never happen in the final seconds of a game. If it wasnt for Ward in the 1st & 2nd periods the Caps should have had at least 3,4 goals. I really dont see how some people can blame this loss completely on Wardo. Looks as if the team as a whole doesnt know how to finish a game. Games like these are the ones that come back to haunt you when playoff time rolls around.
Staal
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 08:24 — mumsyb13Staal is obviously feeling the effects of a shoulder injury from several weeks ago and got hit pretty hard last night. Teams target a player like Staal-to shut him down, otherwise he'd be on the score sheet more often. Brind'Amour isn't ready to play-but our players started dropping like flies before the season began and we don't have extras. Ward has to come up big every time-not just every few games. We need to dump Brookbank or send him to the minors (if possible)-that was a pathetic show of toughness last night. No one on any team is going to back off of our players when they know he will be their opponent in a fight.
Last Night
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 07:46 — Ken (not verified)Yea, that was an ugly way to lose. Again you can't put the all the blame on Cam. On a 2 on 1 his job is to follow the player with the puck, which he did. No one expected AO would pass, and where was the defense to cover Semin? From what I saw, that goal shouldn't have counted anway since Rod got high sticked before the puck went in, I could be wrong though. The problem with the Canes this season is that they are allowing WAY to many shots on goal, the highest in the league, is that Cams fault too???? C'mon folks, it's ok to be frustrated, but really, everything is not the goalies fault. Staal....I saw him get hit last night right in front of the Canes bench, it wasn't a big hit, but he still stayed on his knees a lil longer than you'd expect from a hit like that. I think he still has a shoulder problem that's not bad enough to pull him out, but, enough to effect his game. We're not gonna find out from the team directly, maybe a lil investigative reporting can determine that...Chip????
High Stick
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 13:03 — JRs_FaultYou are wrong about the high stick... there's no call on the follow through from a shot...
Chip... what's the story on Brind'Amour??
How not to finish a game
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 07:40 — rmmeliMy son and I were stunned at the way the Canes seemed to be playing with reckless abandon when they were 2-1 ahead. Any other team would close up and make sure they were tight defensively. Not the Canes. They seemed to forget that is was the Capitals chasing the game and played as if they needed another goal. Where was the coaching to tell them to tighten up? Unbelievable.
however
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:48 — aprince27If they sat on the lead...and ended up losing...you'd be saying they should have pressed more.
I agree that there is a fine
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 11:29 — rmmeliI agree that there is a fine line but they are professional hockey players with coaches there supposedly keeping them on track.
You cannot pin that loss on
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 07:17 — Jenniwa30 (not verified)You cannot pin that loss on Cam. He played an awesome game. Our top goal scorers are not performing, and our offense and defense was flat in the end. If our boys could have kept the puck on the other end it would not have been up to Cam to save us once again. If the team as a whole was playing like the LaRose, Rutuu line the game would not have been decided in the last 30 seconds. Staal, Brindy where are you?
Canes Lose ?
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 07:11 — esteban1949While the Canes came out fast, but petered out at the end. Where was the "Odd Line" at ?
Heck the OHL Game between Windsor & Ottawa's ending was more exciting Windsor won in a shoot out, Windsor must be suffering from the same thing the Canes are...Can't finish as well as they start out ! But at least they won. Now lets see if the Rats can do better tonite.
Go Canes !!
OHL - Seriously?
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 12:31 — The Original Caniac (not verified)While I'm sure it's fun to check out now and then, who outside of you watches this? And where do you get the feed for this?
poor estaban
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:54 — aprince27Already giving up on the LaRose-Heliminen-Ruutu line.
I was at that game, and I
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 06:52 — Section 119 (not verified)I was at that game, and I can tell you that Cam Ward played extremely well, and it would've been tough for any goalie to stop the goals that he let in. One was a deflection; one was a bounce off the pipe. Go look on the NHL for video of the goals and I think you'd have to agree they'd be tough to get. Ovechkin drew your defenders away from Semin and gave him a path to shoot. He did the same for the Federov goal.
Ummmm...No.
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 10:31 — Anonymous (not verified)The Federov goal was a no doubter, but both Semin goals were soft. Neither were deflected. The first Semin goal Ward redirected into the net himself. On the final goal Ward was square to Semin and appeared to let the shot go between his arm and body. Not good. When the worlds biggest homer, Tripp Tracy, says you would like to have them back...they're soft.
Ward was good until the last 2:30. It's called choking and it happens to everyone at some point, but it's happened twice in a week to Ward.
Ward
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 06:25 — dabrams (not verified)A first tier goalie stops at least one of those last two shots 100 out of 100 times. A first tier goalie does not fold in the last three minutes of a game. It's really simple. Ward is not the kind of goalie who a team can ride to the playoffs. If we erase the Stanley Cup Season and look at the last three seasons to date, Ward is a good back-up goalie. He has not improved from season to season; and he continues to suffer from Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. He cannot keep his focus for 60 minutes of hockey on a consistent basis. He is the Steve DeBerg of the NHL. As Bill Walsh said of DeBerg -- he is a coach's nightmare because he plays just well enough for you to lose in a close game. That's Ward.
What's going on with Stall?
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 22:49 — ydb99 (not verified)What happened to Stall? His play is disgusting. Very frustrating to watch him play. If he is injured, let him sit out and heal, if not injured - bench him. Am the only one seeing this?
huh
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:55 — aprince27He's been everywhere on the forecheck and back check this season.
WHat do you want from him?
Oh I see it. I totally think
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:23 — schelle92 (not verified)Oh I see it. I totally think he needs to be benched for a while...either due to injury or lack of production. I'm tired of seeing him half-heartedly play. Maybe if he sits for a while he'll remember why guys who get paid a fraction of his salary are out there playing with intensity and fire and his overpaid butt is on the bench.
Stall
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 07:37 — rmmeliWe can see it but I assume he is playing through an injury.
Wardo
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 22:20 — Anonymous (not verified)Thanks Cam !
57
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 23:42 — Anonymous (not verified)wardo - the 57 minute man. hey cam, the game lasts 60 minutes. how long before the coaches realize this guy is nothing but a backup goalie.
Seriously, Ovechkin & Semin
Fri, 11/07/2008 - 08:00 — Anonymous (not verified)Seriously, Ovechkin & Semin would have eaten Leighton for a midnight snack!
Finishing
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 22:20 — Anonymous (not verified)If the big boys can't finish.. put in the 3rd and 4th line. It is really pathetic. You could just see us just give up with about 4 minutes to go.
cam played great until the
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 22:06 — Anonymous (not verified)cam played great until the last couple of minutes.U have to finish the games, he let in two bad goals tonight and saturday against edmonton with one bad goal.the D played great and our HIGH priced players have GOT TO START PLAYING BETTER.We have to got to finish games please.
Ill tell u why,... Alexander
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 22:04 — Anonymous (not verified)Ill tell u why,... Alexander Semin and Ovechkin acted like they were on steroids and pushed there way into the net... and they were like oh wow.. hey ovechkin lol.. they acted like school kids going to their first dance....
Really Now?
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 21:48 — TarHeelFan05really Canes? why to close out a game... =]
Finish the game
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 21:39 — Anonymous (not verified)cAM PLAYED A great game until the last couple of minutes and let in two bad goals.the D played great Our high priced players need to step it up. Cam has to finish the games like tonight and against edmonton on saturday
That Hurt
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 21:38 — Anonymous (not verified)Crushing loss. With a new season you would hope that the Canes would want to send a message that the Caps don't own them any more. Whoops! The Caps DO still own the Canes. So, how many points do the Canes need to get the 8th spot?
The team is going to have a hard time looking Ward in the eye after that performance.
Speaking of eyes...I hope Semin's stick didn't get Rod's.
The Canes continue to give a
Thu, 11/06/2008 - 21:27 — Anonymous (not verified)The Canes continue to give a 60 minute effort and finish strong, holding off a surging opponent in the 3rd. Oh wait...
The Canes are in the bottom 3rd of the league in win % when leading after 2.....something has to change. These games are 60 long minutes and they cant seem to finish teams off this year.