Staff photo by Robert Willett
• Photo gallery: Bruins 4, Canes 2
• First Look: See 378 raw images from Game 6
RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes are at the brink — again.
The Hurricanes face another Game 7 in the playoffs, another trip to a hostile arena, another situation where so much will be against them and few believing they can win.
The Boston Bruins forced a seventh and deciding game in the Eastern Conference semifinal series Tuesday, whipping the Canes 4-2 at the RBC Center.
Once trailing 3-1 in the series, the top-seeded Bruins are headed back to the TD Banknorth Garden for Thursday's game riding a pair of impressive victories, riding a high.
But all is not lost, the Hurricanes insisted.
"I believe in this hockey team, I really do," Carolina coach Paul Maurice said. "I just want us to believe. I just want us to play the game we're capable of playing.
"Go in there and do that. If we do that, then you don't worry about the outcome. You've played your best, you've given your best."
The Canes believed they could win their first-round playoff series against the third-seeded New Jersey Devils. They went into Game 7, on the road at the Prudential Center, and stunned the Devils 4-3.
Now, the Hurricanes must do it again. And the Bruins, despite the back-to-back victories, must win one more.
"From the time we fell behind 3-1 in the series, our goal was to create a Game 7," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "We're there now. Now we need to decide what to do about it.
"Once you get to Game 7, winner takes all. We dug ourselves a hole and we worked our way out of it. Carolina is going to play with some desperation, which they haven't had to do until this point.
"There's no doubt it will be an exciting game."
Few knew what to expect in Game 6 after the fisticuffs and bad feelings created in Game 5 in Boston. With the Bruins on their way to a 4-0 victory, the Canes' Scott Walker punched defenseman Aaron Ward in the face, earning a $2,500 fine from the league but no suspension.
But the Bruins came out Tuesday to take control, not for retribution. Mark Recchi scored on a two-on-one rush and then defenseman Steve Montador on a long blast from the left circle, giving Boston a quick 2-0 lead in the first 5:04 of the game.
"They came in and blew us out of the water," Canes defenseman Tim Gleason said.
Why?
"I think it was flatness," Gleason said. "I think we were a bit nervous.
"I think if you compare it to the last home game we had here there was a total difference. We came more physical then. We didn't come out as physical."
The Canes did begin forcing turnovers in the last 10 minutes of the first period, forcing Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas to make some quality saves. But Thomas was unyielding in net then and most of the game, making 31 saves, keeping the Canes from charging back into the game.
The Canes' Matt Cullen scored in the second period to make it 2-1 — on an assist from Walker, who came to Cullen's defense in Game 5 and ended up punching Ward.
"I really thought we were there," Maurice said. "We got ourselves back into the game."
But the Bruins, consistently giving their forwards open ice for playmaking with good puck movement, responded with goals from Marc Savard and Chuck Kobasew to push the lead to 4-1.
Patrice Bergeron's line, with Recchi and Kobasew on the wings, produced two goals and was active all three periods.
####
Sergei Samsonov gave the Hurricanes a little hope at 7:20 in the third period, cutting the Bruins lead to 4-2 on a rebound in front of the crease after Joe Corvo fired.
Patrice Bergeron passed from the left side to Chuck Kobasew, who met the puck in the top of the slot to bang it past Cam Ward at 18:03 in the second period and give the Bruins a 4-1 lead. ...
Boston’s Marc Savard put the Bruins back up two goals, 3-1, putting Milan Lucic’s pass across the slot past Cam Ward at 8:53 in the second period. ...
Carolina's Matt Cullen has cut the Bruins' lead in half with a back-hander.
After throwing a hip into Bruins defender Shane Hnidy, Cullen cut across the crease and scored his second goal of the playoffs at 2:49 in the second period. ...
The Bruins scored twice early in the span of 3:03 to take a 2-0 lead over the Carolina Hurricanes early in the first period.
The first was a second controversial goal and it was reviewed for a few minutes before the officials awarded the goal to Boston.
Boston forward Mark Recchi scored the goal, but the frame of the goal appeared to be coming off its moorings before the puck crossed the line.
From the NHL's Situation Room:
Video Review - Boston at Carolina, 2:01 of first period
05.12.2009 / 7:30 PM ET
"NHL Hockey Operations reviewed the play to determine if there was a distinct kicking motion by Boston forward Mark Recchi.
The video review determined that the puck was not kicked therefore the call on the ice for good Boston goal stands. The displacement of the net was not subject to review because the officials call on the ice was that if the net had been displaced prior to the puck crossing the goal line, the net was displaced by a Carolina player and therefore the goal would have been awarded (Rule 63.6)."
The second goal came from Steve Montador, who fired from the left circle past the right shoulder of Carolina goalie Cam Ward at 5:04.
The Carolina Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins tonight in Game 6 of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals match.
The Canes have a 3-2 lead in the series, but no doubt want to wrap this series up tonight rather than face a seventh game in Boston.
Here are the Canes’ lines:
Whitney-Staal-Cole
LaRose-Cullen-Walker
Samsonov-Jokinen-Ruutu
Bayda-Brind-Amour-Eaves
Here are the defensive pairings:
Gleason-Corvo
Seidenberg-Pitkanen
Wallin-Babchuk
Cullen’s line will start the game tonight, but the Bruins are starting their Bergeron line, with Mark Recchi, Chuck Kobasew and defensemen Dennis Wideman and Zdeno Chara (so no Aaron Ward/Walker matchup, at least to start the game.
Javier Serna has covered sports for The News & Observer since 2007. He previously covered growth for the North Raleigh News, and sports at The Truth in Elkhart, Ind. E-mail 
Comments
sour I am not
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 10:22 — ladywufjust blowing off some steam...can you appreciate the difference? No, I knew this team would make the playoffs and had the potential to go far, and do you know why???? Because I was THERE every home game watching them metamorphasize in to what they have become and finally finding the missing pieces to maximize the potential of what they have. I told people who were NOT there at the games, that this was a different team the last two months of the season. If I remember your posts from the beginning of this series, you chided posters who expressed their beliefs that this Canes team was different from the one that was swept by the Bruins in the regular season. It is and they are which is what makes last night's performance especially disappointing. By the way I was in a hotel room on a business trip in Washington DC during game 7 of the NJ series and all that was on the hotel TV was the Caps /Rangers series so I had to surf the web on my cell phone to watch/listen to Game 7. You can call me a lot of things but fairweather I am not, just frustrated.
LIving in your own Private Idaho
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 08:11 — ladywufI am a loud mouth???? Are you kidding me...I have followed your postings since the beginning of this series and watched you tangle with hockeyhick. PLease lets not have the pot call the kettle black. If you go back and read my post I gave credit to the Bruins for taking the Canes out of their game plan. Your superstars...Thomas,Savard, Chara, Lucic,have all stepped up and played the way they have all season long. Is that props enough for you. I think at $200 per home game I am entitled to blow off a little steam. I have scoured the Boston blogs after game 5 and saw B fans equally as fair weather slamming your team for their piss poor effort up to that point. Just like physical play during the playoffs is part of hockey, so is fan frustration. You probably are one of these guys that prescribe to the theory "women should be seen and not heard". So please go back to your fantasy land where you are a perfectly well behaved blogger that is ALWAYS respectful of others opinions, and cultures. I have read your posts and know better.
Bad Investment...
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 10:08 — JumptheSharkWow, you sure are sour about this. Maybe stay the whole game next time (if in fact there is a next game). At least you can say you stood by your team through thick and thin. You can say that you appreciated their strong effort down the stretch to even make the playoffs. That you hung in there when they were down to NJ in game 7, for that huge last minute comeback and win. But i bet you didn't even see that. Probably turned your TV off in the 2nd period.
Way to hang in there.
Wow!!!
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 09:29 — FigNewtonImpressive ticket prices. Although $200 per game seems a bit steep to see the Whalers.
1972
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 10:03 — Canes73Were you even alive the last time the Bruins won the cup? I know I wasn't.
FigNewton....
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 09:40 — gocanes2Are you in a time warp? Last time I checked WE ARE THE CAROLINA HURRICANES! make a note of it....
Still the same
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 09:42 — FigNewtonOnce the Whalers, ALWAYS the Whalers
NO.
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 09:48 — gocanes2NO.
Yes
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 10:22 — FigNewtonI'm afraid so...
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly -- Game 7
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 08:07 — abramsdougAs I watched Game 6, I felt the return of the Hurricanes from the last game, last season -- logic dictated that the Hurricanes should come out on fire in both games, but the will to compete to the highest level was not there either time. Carolina has two teams -- the best Carolina team skates like the team is possessed of an unparalleled will; the worst Carolina team stakes with lead boots and follows behind the play deflated and defeated. Boston is an excellent team and is quite well-coached; and the will of the Boston team through six games can't be disputed or minimized. On the other hand, a season is a journey and a body of work. I can't imagine anybody whether owner, coach, player, or fan, would have declined the offer at the start of this season to be playing game 7 at Boston for the right to go to the Eastern Conference Finals. It's now a one game playoff. Both Boston and Carolina have shown that they can make the other team look totally inept and foolish on any given night. So the good is that Boston doesn't really know which Carolina team it will face on Thursday -- the "candy canes" or the team that cannot be denied; and in the end, the Hurricanes have shown they are an organization on the rise with talented players and coaches and a strong-willed, avid fan base. The bad is that the Hurricanes still lack at least two key players to be in the consistent caliber of the top four teams -- one more big-bodied forward to battle in front of the net, and one more big-bodied, agile, and highly aggressive defense man. The ugly is that the team on the final home game of last season, and potentially the final home game of this season, held their destiny in their own hands, and threw away their opportunity to prove themselves. This season, the team has one final opportunity to defy the odds. Whatever happens, I am proud of this team's body of work this year and look forward to next season.
As much as I hate to agree with a Boston Fan
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 07:52 — Canes73I can't figure out why some fans are giving up so easily. Am I the only one that didn't think the Canes played all that badly? Both teams made mistakes and turned the puck over last night. The only difference is that our mistakes ended up in the back of our net. The B's deserve full credit for capializing on their chances. The Canes were obviosly a little nervous last night. If they can sure up their defensive responsibilities and make better passes, I like our chances in game 7. It's Game 7...anything can happen!!!
Go Canes!!!!
Why are Canes fans so quick to jump off the bandwagon?
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 11:33 — kevinelenaLook, except for the first five minutes, the Canes played a good playoff game. In my opinion, the only guy I really thought played nervous last night was Babchuk. I thought last night that Corvo was the best Canes player on the ice. Staal played well, and had some real good chances on the power play. The first two goals were not Ward's fault. I would like to have seen more out of Bayda and Eaves, because I think that in other games their line has been excellent. I still think Thomas is vulnerable. He doesn't control his rebounds as well as Ward does. I really hope that both Cole and BridAmour can come through for the Canes on Thursday.
I still think the Canes can do it tomorrow night, but they are going to need everybody to show up!
Thomas Vs Ward
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 11:56 — JumptheSharkWard doesn't give up as many rebounds because they all find their way to the back of the net!
Nice try. Ward isn't so far the goalie you all made him out to be.
Thomas: 1.80 GAA & .937 Pct.
Ward: 2.29 GAA & .926 Pct.
The Last Two Games: Ward = 4.0 GAA; Thomas = 1.0 GAA
You can say it all you want. But those right there are cold, hard, irrefutable facts.
Have a nice day.
Thomas vs Ward
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 17:13 — kevinelenaHey, if Ward had a guy like Chara playing in front of him, no telling how low his numbers would go. Thomas is definitely quick to recover and acrobatic in goal, but just watch the two of them, and its clear to see who's better.
Stats Don't Lie...
Thu, 05/14/2009 - 09:21 — JumptheSharkStatistics bring none of the emotion or opinion that you do. They are bereft of all of our human frailties. They care not who wins or loses, of whose feelings are hurt, of who is expose as a fraud, or who has his jersey raised to the rafters.
You can't argue with them. They don't hear you. They care not what you think. And in twenty years, when historians look back at the raw data, their conclusion will be that Thomas was the better goalie (so far) in this post season.
And still your flimsy opinion will not matter. It cannot stand up against the M1A1 Abrams Tank of Truth that is the Cold, Hard Facts.
(PS, I stole some of these lines from the very excellent football site, thecoldhardfootballfacts.com)
Thank you Canes 73! If it
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 08:29 — gocanes2Thank you Canes 73! If it hadn't been for those 1st 5 minutes (we came out sluggish and nervous), it would have been an overtime game. And we all know what happens in overtime games for the CANES! We outshot them....I think the shots were 34 for us and 19 for them(or something close to that). Thomas and their D played very well and our defense struggled badly at the beginning of the game which was the difference. Cam Ward wasn't getting much help there for awhile. I believe in this team and I WON'T give up on them! LET'S GO HURRICANES!!!!
JUmp the shark kiss my $#&%
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 07:48 — ladywufNow you are back after a predictable absence during games 4 and 5 and as usual sticking your nose in where it does not belong. I AM the fan who left after the end of the second period and how dare you tell me I am fair weather. I am a Canes season ticket holder center ice 6 rows from the ice between the benches. My 12 yr old daughter and I have attended EVERY frigging home game this season even on school nights. If I were a fair weather fan I would have sold my season tickets after the first half....no the first third of the season, but we slogged through every game always hoping the pieces would gel. Always believing in this team. Never left a game early even during some ugly losses an poor effort. I would never take away that the Bruins have been the better team the last two games and took the Canes out of their game plan. I am making no officiating excuses, or defending Scott Walker and the frustration and thuggish behavior the Canes exhibited in Game 5 (as a response to the Bruins thuggish behavior). But last night I saw a tentative, nervous team come out with absolutely NO heart,passion or will to win, with an arena full of fans that have supported them all season long and I snapped. So don't judge me and go back in to hibernation please.
It's simple
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 08:56 — FigNewtonWhat you saw the last two games was an over-rated, sixth place Hartford Whalers team playing like the sixth place team that they are. And the first place, best in the East Boston Bruins playing like the first place team that they are.
You guys are finding out that a team can only play over their heads for so long. When one of your top scorers is Sergei Samsonov, you know you have problems. The guy never played like that when he was with the Bruins, or with the half-dozen other teams he was with in the past 4 years. Over-achieving for 16 wins doesn't happen. The bottom falls out eventually
You had a great team to win the Cup 3 years ago. That was then. This is now. And we'd like to thank you for providing us with a couple of those players for our run this year.
We also owe you for letting us experience our slump against you. Luckily we got it out of our system before the Pens or Caps roll into town.
Bruins and the Stanley Cup
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 10:56 — abramsdougThe Bruins have a long and storied franchise. The Bruins are also an excellent team with an excellent coach; however, is there anybody playing on the present Bruins team who is wearing a Stanley Cup ring while playing for the Bruins? If the measure of success is winning the Stanley Cup, then the Bruins have some games left to prove themselves. Indeed, as I recall, the Bruins have not won the Stanley Cup this Century. As I read the standings, the Bruins have won three games in this round and the Hurricanes have won three games in this round. I suggest that the way to tell which team is better will be on Thursday because Game 7 won't end in a tie.
Get over the Whalers thing
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 09:27 — gocanes2Get over the Whalers thing already!! The CAROLINA HURRICANES have been here for 11 years. They are OUR TEAM now. Hockey is a big thing down here in Raleigh now! I think you got it wrong when you say we are over-rated....I think we've been under-rated. Even if we can't pull this series off, we sure gave the #1 REGULAR season team a scare! Let's go CANES!!!!
Don't Get Your Panties in a Bunch
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 07:54 — JumptheSharkI've been here all along. Gave the Canes props all over this place. Stuck by the Bs all the while. Questioned Chara's playoff manhood. He's responded.
Too bad you're just a loud mouth know-nothing who can not find it within yourself to give a little credit back.
You're so angry that your team folded last night. Not good to carry that anger. Especially, when at the end of the day, it's vapor. You have nothing to gain one way or the other.
Sore sport. Give credit when credit is due. In short, be more like me.
What a bloodbath.....
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 07:35 — JumptheSharkCanes fans are fighting each other to be the first off the bandwagon. Some fan farther down this post said she left after the 2nd period. What? The canes showed in the Devils series that they had what it took to come back. They are never out of it. I sat nervously through the entire third period, waiting for the Bs to shrink and fold. But, it didn't happen. When the going is easy, canes fans shoot off their mouths. When the going gets tough, they jump ship faster than a Somali pirate being chased by a US Navy fast frigate. At first, it was everyone else's fault for the Canes woes: the refs, the Bs cheap shots, blah blah. Now, apparently, it's Staal's fault. Team sport, people. Time for your other lines to step up and give Staal some help. See you tomorrow.
The fan that left after the
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 08:22 — gocanes2The fan that left after the 2nd period was alone. That RBC center was rockin'! It looked full to me until about 10 seconds left to play. What an atmosphere! My first playoff game! I have to say, even though the result was not what I'd hoped for (and screamed my head off for), it sure was fun! 99% of our fans will support this team through thick and thin!
LET'S GO HURRICANES!!! I have faith in our team!
they choked...
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 07:03 — rmmeliJust like the last game of the season last season, they choked when they should have been hyped up for the game. Inexplicable....the defense collectively seem unable to handle the pressure when it matters.
Game 7 results
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 23:27 — Martman44As a Bruins fan I am just as much on the edge of my seat for game 7 as 'Canes fans are.
Playoff hockey is all about whichever team figures out the opposing team's weakness first...not who finishes ahead of whom in the regular season.
Results of game 7 are 50/50 for my B's....I think you'll agree that this series has been a real drama with a lot of sub plots that no one predicted would occur.
I hope we have enough in the tank to finish off this series but i won't bet on it!
Let's hope the best team wins in game 7!!
The Best Team
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 07:41 — FigNewtonNo, let's hope the BRUINS win game 7. Oh, wait, the B's win either way. Never mind.
Game 6-Bruins 4 Candycanes 2
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 23:15 — mwenglert919Review of game 6 from the Old Scout-take it-leave -love or forget it---This like game 5 was not a game as both were totally dominated by the Bruins-great coaching adjustments by the Bruins coaching staff-and great poise and skill by the Bruins players-let`s face the facts the Bruins are winning the battles and exposing the candy canes weaknesses in the D zone (passive d in games 5 & 6) as well as the neutral zone-the Bruins are poised and in position-the passes are crisp and on the tape-the Bruins are even carefully selecting their shots and are not wasting energy. The Canes are miss hitting more pucks than when I hit a large bucket of golf balls-and folks that ain`t good !
Meanwhile the Canes look desperate-wasting precious fuel-not good since they have played three more games-this eventually becomes a war of attrition-and the Canes are possibly spent both physically and mentally-we shall see-it was quite embarrassing to see the Canes "Ice" the puck on a power play late in the game-perhaps a rule change will do such as a decline of the penalty-hence avoiding embarrassment !
The Bruins have dominated the face offs and that will not change in game 7-the Bruins have done what great teams do-they have not panicked or deviated from their game plan and now they are successfully implementing it-plus Tim Thomas was simply great tonight.
Should he play like this in game 7 and he well can- then it is over and the greatest comeback in a 7 game series will be on the books for this storied original 6 team.
The only thing left in doubt is Game 7`s in general-truely anything can happen-just ask the New Jersey Devils-this has been a great series of hockey between both clubs-let`s forget about the Walker/Ward fiasco as these things happen in life and in the great game on the hard water- the winner of game 7 could be simply a "bounce of the puck".
Obviously-the smart money is on the Bruins but the Canes are a strange bunch-kinda like Twilight Zone Hockey-sans Rod Serling-so Hockey fans both Boston and Carolina enjoy the ride as only one team will advance on Thursday night !
Here`s to the winners !-There is nothing like a game 7 in the quest for Lord Stanley`s Cup and/or a Grateful Dead concert-So
as in Drop Kick Murphy-"It`s off to Boston"-Cheers !- And here`s to swimmin` with bowlegged women ! I hope their is some virginity in your vicinity !-THE OLD SCOUT
Note: Remember for game 7 take the phone off the hook-no talking-especially women during play-save the blab sessions for between periods-and stock up on many "Frozen Rockets" and "Wobbly Pop" and remember to repeat this successful formula for each and every playoff game because the winner on thursday night is only half way to Lord Stanley`s Cup !
16 WINS
Staal
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:50 — Steveg2564I'm a Bruins Fan, and I'd like to comment on the Staal criticism. To the person who is complaining that Staal isn't back checking: Check his time on ice. You'll see that it's up there with most of the defensmen in the games. One of the best things about this series is the Staal/Chara battle. It's a lot of fun to watch. All in all, hockey is a team game. The Bruins have been the better team the past two games and if they play this same way could end up winning the series on Thursday.
Bruin Fans
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:26 — odictamisWOO!!
Woo is Right
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:42 — teammugsDucks 2 Red Wings NIL at the end of 2...WOOOOO(not my best Rick Flair)
Now that is the Bruins team
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:19 — BostonHeelsFanNow that is the Bruins team that ran through Montreal in the first round. Disciplined. Lets keep it up for game 7.
Canes in 7 at the Gahhden
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:16 — jpatesLooking forward to Canes beating the Bruins at the Garden and moving on to Caps/Pens - not sure who it will be - I think the Pens could beat the Caps at Verizon, but will be rooting for the Caps so that the Canes can beat 1 and 2 to go to cup.
GO CANES!
P.S. Play Kaberle on Thursday please.
Not much to say
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:45 — procellaeI will say the same things you have all been hearing and will be hearing until Thursday night:
1) Tape-to-tape passes, please
2) Capitalize on your chances *cough*Staal's empty net*cough*
3) Take Babchuk out
4) Play 60 minutes. Tonight, we played about 35. Too bad in those other minutes, we played like *^$%.
5) Get to the front of the net and pick up the rebounds Thomas gives up
6) Try to get the referees to watch the Bruins' line changes
That sums it up. Game 7 will probably be a very tight game.
Oh, and while we are talking about sportsmanship of the fans, it was very nice of the Bruins fans in game 6 to give the players in the penalty boxes some towels to help wipe up their sweat.
And I was at the game. I only heard "refs you suck" once. And that was because one of our players got checked way behind the play.
Canes fans
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:47 — FooF_BBFIt amazes me how all i've read is how all you Canes fans defended Scott Walker for the cheap shot. Now I see posts laying blame at the once mighty Walker for tonights loss. Seriously people get a grip!!! The Bruins played the way they have played pretty much the entire season in game 5 and game 6. In other words the B's finally showed up in game 5 long before the infamous punch was thrown.
Come Friday morning the next time you see the Hurricanes will be at a charity event. Tee em up boys!
Seriously...good luck Thursday ;P
http://www.bostonbruinsfan.com
Canes
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:08 — teammugsCome to think of it - the next time I will see the Canes live will be at the Jimmy V Golf Classic - maybe some of your Bruins could come down here and help in the fight against Cancer, it would help especially if you kick our b**ts...the Canes are very supportive...If you B's play their game they will win If the Canes play theirs, they will win - pretty simple...But I do think Cam Ward will have to stand on his head...don't forget that Aaron Ward was a member of the Stanley Cup winning team down here...no defense for Walker, but Ward's rep has preceded him and he was knocking about the head a player with concussion history in the past...but that was game 5 and long over...we'll see who remembers what if game 7 gets out of hand, truth be told, after game 1 I never expected to see game 5...
Great sportsmanship
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:09 — isingAs a Bruins fan I want to congratulate the Carolina fans on their excellent sportsmanship. Realizing that most Bruin fans would also be Red Sox fans and consequently mortal enemies of the New york Yankees, the Cane fans demonstrated their solidarity with Red Sox Nation by frequently chanting "Yankees su*k" just as Red Sox fans love to do at Fenway. When I mentioned this to my buddy he tried to tell me that the Carolina fans were actually referring to some skirmish that took place around 150 years ago but I refused to believe that ANYONE could be that idiotic!
LMAO
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:34 — FooF_BBFBelieve!!! Believe!!
Percentage
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:13 — teammugsOnly SOME of the Yankee jeers are emanating from the crowd who lost in the finals 150 years ago...our uniforms are RED, most of our necks are not...
Who cares about the "cheap shot" already...
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 20:59 — whirligigit doesn't take something like that to get the team with the best record in the East to play up to their potential. It takes facing elimination. No one here ever said Boston wasn't a good team. But, really, what sickens me is that (almost) every time I shell out the cash to see the Canes it's one of those games where Staal just mopes slowly around the ice pouting like he just dropped his ice cream. Maybe it was the 2-0 deficit that kicked it off. But that's no excuse. The guy needs a sports psychologist or something. Anyone?
Staal
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:14 — teammugsStaal is a marked man every time he steps on the ice...and if he isn't that's Boston's fault...he was not the problem this game...it was the Bruins...when you get hit every time you touch the puck it's easy to look like you are 'moping' around...we have one more game - try and enjoy the series, it hasn't been easy for either side, or is it not 3-3 and going to game 7...1 man doesn't make or break the game unless the goalie fails to show...I haven't seen that so far and if you think the Canes are done ask New Jersey and Martin Brodeur...and if you had a 6'9" behemoth riding you for 6 games don't you think you'd need a shrink? the 1st period told the story on the scoreline the last 2 periods were fairly even, but you have to play 3...
very good post....
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:22 — pmarz1if you Canes fans think this all revolves around Staal. you dont know much about hockey. It's up to the other guys to pick it up when the top line meets its match.
Yes and no, IMO...
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:32 — whirligigI take in quite a bit of hockey, and I know the difference between positions. Yes, Staal battles along the walls and takes up residence beside the net during a good rebound scrum...but my point is that I rarely see Staal forecheck, backcheck, or, well, consistently hustle like, say, LaRose or Cullen. There were SO many times tonight when Chara was nowhere near him and he sort of drifted. I'm not pinning it all on him, but take a quick look at the Crosby/Ovechkin battle going on a little north of us and, well, you kind of see what I'm talking about. Staal is sort of barometric for us...he doesn't have to score, but he has to have heart. Tonight, he didn't. That's all I'm saying. But I agree that it never comes down to one player. I think Pittsburgh, for instance, is relying too heavily on Crosby to get it all done whereas Washington is showing a bit more depth, and will probably take it. Who knows.
Adjustments
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:43 — teammugsIn the games each team has won I think the coaches have been brilliant in the in game adjustments they have made...in the Caps/Pens series the proclaimers(announcers) have declared Green MIA...what were they expecting last years' performance? Staal is good but not the quality of those other 2 Crosby/Ovechkin(Who is)...
Chip
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 20:59 — JRI asked Chip today in his on-line discussion about the canes if he thought the Walker punch woke up a Bruins team that had been fading and he poo poo'd my theory with a weak response. what do you think now chip ? Looks like the B's were playing with a renewed passion and purpose to me.
I agree. The Bruins stayed
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:00 — Cosmo14I agree. The Bruins stayed disciplined even with the cheap shot fresh in every ones memory. They will exact revenge in game 7 after it is out of reach.
No they won't...
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:10 — pmarz1Why would they? If this gets dealt with at all, it will be next season some time. No team will take a chance of losing a player in the playoffs. Let's not forget, moving on, the games only get harder.
Discipline
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 22:25 — teammugsExactly - this isn't the finals - but you can get there from here - if you want to shoot yourself in the foot you may progress from this series but not much farther if you lose your better players through suspension or even your enforcers, even though those types will see less ice time anyway...I like to follow the teams that beat the Canes as a hockey fan and to see just how good they are, but we aren't there yet
New Poster
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 20:55 — ladywufI am a new poster on this site because after the debacle tonight I felt compelled. After reading these blogs for the entire season from afar and after attending EVERY single home game this season I must say this. I may not know much about the X's and O's of hockey. But over the course of this season I have watched a team struggle to find it's identity and compete at a tragically inconsistent level for the first two thirds of the season. For the last two months I have been thrilled,captivated with the metamorphosis of the Carolina Hurricanes and have been the most die hard "homer" ever. But I had to leave the RBC after the second period because there was absolutely no heart in this team tonight. How can you not get up for this game. A chance to put it away in front of the fans who have supported you all season. I was embarrassed for them and felt if that's the most they could give (which in my opinion wan't a whole heck of alot}then the most I could give was 2 periods. See you guys next season because it is OVER.
Hi Ladywuf and welcome. For
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 07:35 — SkylinerHi Ladywuf and welcome. For someone who professes to be a first- timer you present your thoughts very well. I especially liked the "tragically inconsistent" observation. But I wouldn't leave the dance too soon. Yep, I know the fat lady hasn't yet sung though it appears she's offstage clearing her throat, but by the time we reach Boston our defense might have decided to stop boring holes in the boat to let the water out. We can play against Boston (have done so)...it seems only a matter of wanting too.
interesting.....
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 21:16 — pmarz1....do both of you think your team played badly or the Boston team made adjustments throughout the game to counteract some of the sustained pressure your team was able to deliver at times? At some point, you should give the opposing team some credit for things like being deep enough to send out a 4th line on a regular basis. Those minutes add up for the other lines to be that much more rested in the latter stages of the game which allows them to execute their game plan much better. I think a lot of credit needs to go to Julien for the way he has been managing the game.