Staff photo by Chris Seward
For so many reasons, the Hurricanes and coach Paul Maurice needed a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Canes climbed out of a 4-0 deficit, and Maurice nearly beat his former team.
But Toronto denied Carolina and hung on for a 6-4 win at the RBC Center Thursday.
In ending their four-game losing streak, the Leafs handed the Hurricanes their fourth straight loss.
The Canes erased a four-goal deficit for the first time since Jan. 7, 2000, but fell anyways when Toronto defenseman Tomas Kaberle fired off of Pavel Kubina’s pass on the power play with less than six minutes left in the game.
It was the Canes’ first four-game losing streak since last season, when they lost four games in a row in January.
The Leafs entered the game having lost eight of their last 10 games.
And there was banter between Maurice and the Toronto media, who fired several questions at him after the morning skate. Maurice had said he wished the Leafs would lose for 10 years. Maurice was fired by the Leafs at the end of last season after two losing seasons at the helm.
The Canes, reeling from their longest losing streak of the season, now have four games on the road beginning Saturday against the Buffaloe Sabres, who the Canes have been sparring with for one of the last playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Then the Canes have games against Toronto, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers.
And to make matter worse, Tim Gleason, one of the team’s top defenders, left the game with another ankle injury in the final two minutes. He had just returned after missing a few games, and Thursday was his bobblehead night.
The Leafs entered the game last in the NHL in penalty killing, but they killed the Hurricanes’ only power play in the first period.
And then Toronto capitalized on their only power play of the first period when defenseman Ian White fired a slapshot from the left circle. The Canes appeared to be on the way to killing the penalty, with Carolina goalie Cam Ward getting a couple of saves with a crowd bunched up in front of the net.
But the puck was poked out of the crowd to White who fired with 31 seconds left on the power play.
Then the Canes gave up three goals in the second period before they even got on the board.
Winger Jason Blake scored first, less than two minutes into the period.
Then forward Niklas Hagman made the score 3-0 five seconds past the half-way mark of the game on an assist from Nik Antropov.
Blake scored again about five minutes later, taking over Dominic Moore’s shot, who had been fed by Jiri Tlusty.
The Canes still tried to make a game of it, with forward Matt Cullen scoring with less than two minutes left in the period on assists from Anton Babchuk and Scott Walker.
Canes winger Tuomo Ruutu cut the lead to 4-2, firing from the right circle on the pass from Eric Staal.
The Canes had a 55-second two-man advantage at the 4:10 mark, and Eric Staal scored on the right wing. He was the recipient of a good pass from Joe Corvo and Ray Whitney also earned an assist.
After Kaberle’s go-ahead power play goal, the Leafs scored an empty-netter in the closing seconds.
Tomas Kaberle put the Leafs ahead and then Jason Blake added the empty netter to seal Toronto's 6-4 victory over the Hurricanes.
Maple Leafs 4, Hurricanes 4 (third period):
After falling behind 4-0, the Canes get four goals of their own from Matt Cullen, Tuomo Ruutu, Eric Staal and Scott Walker. Staal's goal was the only power play goal, with a two-man advantage.
And Walker's goal came at the 8:40 mark of the third period. ...
Just past the halfway point of the game, forward Niklas Hagman puts Toronto up 3-0, cleaning up Nik Antropov's work in front of the net. ...
Left wing Jason Blake made it 2-0 less than two minutes in. He scored an unassisted goal, wrapping around the net from the left, stunning the Canes.
Maple Leafs 1, Hurricanes 0 (first intermission):
The Canes out-shot the Leafs 12-4, but Toronto's Ian White scored the only goal of the first period. Both teams had a single power play each, but it was White who capitalized, despite the Leafs being last in the NHL on the penalty kill.
Maple Leafs 1, Hurricanes 0 (first period):
The Leafs score first when Ian White fires a slapshot from the left circle on the power play from Scott Walker's roughing penalty. The Canes looked like they were on their way to killing the penalty, and Cam Ward had a couple of saves with a crowd bunched up in front of the net.
But Matt Stajan got the puck got out to White, who fired and scored with 31 seconds left on the power play. It was White's sixth goal this season and second against the Canes. Note: the assist was changed to Blake early in the second period. ...
Here's the Canes' starting line: Sergei Samsonov, Rod Brind'Amour, Justin Williams, Tim Gleason, Joe Corvo. Cam Ward in the crease.
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
As a protest
Sat, 01/17/2009 - 12:28 — esteban1949how about all the STH walk int to the cane's office's and demand a refund...JR would be out looking at everyone..as that would get His attention, and he'd be on the phone with PK...
as silly and dumb as that sounds...unless something that drastic takes place...the ownwership of the canes...will, just like our congressional reps and state legislative chumps keep on doing NOTHING for We The People...The fans...why ? cause we have no real clout expect at the ticket window...protest there...by NOT Showing up...
Go Rats !!
Scratch the bums
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 18:03 — CassiusKingThere are so many comments below that I agree with. Especially the DREADFUL wrap around goal that cost us the point, and Kaberle and Wallin and Brindy need to be scratched. Let's get the kids some playing time and much needed development. Mo cannot do much with this rabble. Another banger besides Ruutu and Walker is a must in this league. As much as I love the grit of LaRose and Bayda, there is NO gas in those tanks. Ruutu is a treasure and if he goes, I will go. I cannot see buying STH again to promote this nonsense. Brindy doesn't owe us anything, but this misplaced loyalty with big contracts to cup veterans is killing us.
Well, it isn't the injuries
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 13:27 — wxray1For over 2 years, we complained that it might be the injuries. This span of 4 games had a pretty healthy team. (Yes, not 100%, but as good as it gets in pro sports.)
That's an indictment of the true talent and drive of this team, and it is scary.
Regarding Cam: I was at last night's game where it might have looked different. Although Cam wasn't his best, you also have to look at the bigger picture. On the wrap-around goal, the D did nothing to slow down the movement. It was a skilled play at the right time. Cam had to respect the possibility of a shot. I thought the last goal (glanced out of his glove) was a worst play by Cam.
Interesting...
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 12:36 — jgrant641Everyone railing PK for throwing PL under the bus... now every fan seems to be throwing the team under the bus after a few losses. A week or more ago we were talking playoffs, now people are ready to ship the team out of town.
Someones posts mentioned this team being afraid to hit. The real issue is no real bonafide physical threat to bare that job, instead we have a few rough players (Walker, Gleason, Wallin) Stepping up into that role despite their roles less defined. Its true we are getting pushed around a lot, and oddly enough we all are question why we are so injured all the time.
The faul last night was soley on the players shoulders and no one elses, terrible passes, half a step behind the puck, and defense caught on their heels.
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I am Johnnyg and I approved this message.
Huge difference between
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 13:54 — TheReaper49Huge difference between fans sounding on ... gasp ... a message board. And an owner blasting a coach he fired...
PK comment were truely classless
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 13:49 — Caniac324He not only made a classless attack on Laviolette who still lives here with his family, he through the organization under the bus by saying HE believes the 05-06 Cup season was a fluke.
I do not want to see the team leave Town, I just wonder if PK feels the same way?
Please...
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 14:33 — jgrant641Please provide a link or quote where he called the cup run a "fluke."
He spoke the truth, we came out of the lock-out with our foot on the gas and it then took the rest of the league 3/4s of the season to catch on... when they did we had won more than enough games to lock up the playoffs early. We won in the playoffs due to heart and will to win, credit lavi for that. After that season lavi never adjusted the teams game at all. he would often go for the win late in the 3rd tied rather than get the point by going into ot/so plus the win.
I liked coach lavi and wish him the best, but things had to change and we are past the point of reverting back to what work in the cup year... 3 YEARS AGO!!!
no We are going to revert back to what failed 5 years ago!
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 15:42 — Caniac324PK stated that "we caught lightning in a bottle, it was a perfect storm and we had a goal tender that stood on his head to keep us in games (Gerber) The short version of that is FLUKE, LUCKY what ever you want to call it. How ever you say it, it is not an accurate account PERIOD, I was there and those so called Defensive teams that figured us out 3/4's of the way through the season had nothing to answer that team over a 7 game series!
We won because the players bought in to Laviolette's plan and they played hard everygame, the only difference in that year and the last 2 were missing players, injuries to too many remaining and a lack of consistent effort.
Maurice's defense first system will fail again as it did in the past. That is why he has a losing carreer record while Laviolette has won everywhere he has been.
As I said PK should know better, but his venum for Laviolette will not even let him enjoy the memory of the greatest season this franchise has ever had! I just hope he does not continue to fragment the fanbase with ill advised comments.
What a joke...
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 10:57 — TheReaper49This team is a total embarrassment right now. It’s almost like they are afraid of body contact. There are only one or two guys who are willing to hit, or be hit, on the entire team. You cannot win hockey games without contact. It is a physical game.
And there is no heart, intensity, or passion whatsoever. This team is rapidly becoming unwatchable. I have suffered through the highest highs and lowest lows with this team over the last 11 years, but nothing has ever made me not want to go, or watch, a game. Yet, that is how I feel at times this year. It is the same lackluster, gutless, soft effort night after night.
Rutherford needs to do something, because this team is broken. And despite what Karmanos says, it clearly was not all Laviolette’s fault. Although, I do believe he bears a lot of the blame.
An Unwatchable Team
Sat, 01/17/2009 - 10:20 — abramsdougI've been a STH for a number of years. I agree with Thereaper49 that the Hurricanes team now for me is unwatchable. Maybe I've just hit the wall with the team. The lack of heart by too many of the players is at an unbearable level for me. Also, at the risk of being totally redundant, the fact the Hurricanes are not putting the best team on the ice is disgraceful. The unwillingness of Karmanos and Rutherford to face facts and to obtain a second line center who fills an inarguable and patently obvious need is absurd. Brind'Amour is hurt and is unable to compete. Get him off the ice now. Wallin is a complete liability. Get him off the ice. If Karmanos and Rutherford won't bring in new talent then at least bring up some River Rats who feel the hunger and want to prove themselves. If the Hurricanes are going to lose, then so be it, but go down fighting. Enough is enough.
I liked Gleasons comments
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 12:51 — Hockeydogafter the first period on TV about how physical the team should be. He needs a letter on his sweater !
Maurices post game press conference was pretty scathing as well. Might not be a good time to be a Carolina Hurricane player, and rightfully so. As far as Maurice himself goes.....
He is a good coach and the style of hockey he plays is not uncommon around the league. The players make it boring.
If we were suddenly to get the Wings first line and top D pairing I'd bet nobody would call it boring.
Ward was not good last night and I am starting to think the poster here who said he was not a NHL starting goalie may be right. At least a consistant starting goalie. He saves the bacon for games at a time then just has mental lapses for games at a time. He was not the single reason they lost last night but every aspect has to be looked at right now.
You guys make me laugh!
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 17:02 — Canes101Now before you guys read further just let me say that I am NOT a wardo groupie by anymeans, just a true hurricanes fan.
You guys are hilarious when it comes to goalies and Ward. Earlier in the year you were calling for Leighton to take over as the number 1 and look how great he is now. Ward has I think the 9th most wins in the NHL, no where near mediocre. Also the guy just won the 3rd star of the NHL for the week, typically doesnt go to goalies.
Now I am not arguing that things are going really well for him right now but at 3/4th of the goals recently I wouldnt put SOLELY on his shoulders. I mean in the game against Ottawa he stopped 2 breakaways ontop of making other great saves. I say before placing the blame on him lets ALSO look at the guys in front of him on D. You have Wallin who hasnt looked good all year and keeps turning pucks over(why Mo only played him 8 minutes last night) Kaberle( who was placed on waivers due to his bad play), Brindi( who no matter what is said is still hurt), etc.
Wraparound Goal
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 09:55 — abramsdougI agree and appreciate your bringing that particular goal up in your comments. If I've ever seen a worse play by a goalie than Ward's wraparound goal last night, I can remember it. It should go on a highlight film for how not to play as an NHL goalie. Watching the Hurricanes play these days could give a person Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
Class - less
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 09:50 — lmit61I for one was ready for Lavi to go, but how classless to say what Karmonos said in the media.I've always said $ can't by class! But Mr. Karmonos put your $ where your big mouth is and spend some on some much needed talented hockey players. I think Cam is probably a wonderful person but he is also a stand on his head or just plain sucks goalie! There is just no middle ground there.The only players I've seen keeping this team together are... Corvo,Cullen,Larose,Ruutu,Walker,& Samsonov.My family has been STH for the past three years. One half of our income comes from the building business, need I say more. I'm really trying to justify being a STH for next season.As much as I love hockey,something has got to give before I spend 10K for my family to watch a train wreck nite after nite!Please MO,JR, anyone involved, have the _alls to sit the players who are not achieveing on a nice warm bench and do whatever needs to be done to once again try & turn this mediocre team around!
GO CANES.......PLEASE!
Abysmal
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 08:40 — rmmeliThat was probably as poor as a performance I have from this team, if you can even give them the courtesy of calling them a team. No heart, no desire. We seem to have developed a set of players who only want to play for 20 minutes. Where was our superstar forward for the first two periods. Where was Cam Ward's brain those first two periods. It certainly wasn't in the RBC Center. That wraparound goal was truly pathetic. The captain...well, the less said the better. People next to me went home during the second period because they said they couldn't stay awake...sums it up.
I blame Peter Laviolette
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 08:35 — rmmeliDon't you guys get it? It is so obvious. It is all Peter Laviolette's fault we lost last night.
Karmanos and Laviolette
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 08:09 — abramsdougLuke DeCock's article was correct in some ways and wrong in others. I agree that Karmanos and only Karmanos has to solve the problem of the Hurricanes shoddy performance this year by adding talent to the team. It is painfully obvious that the Hurricanes need a second line center who can score and who loves to hit. It is equally obvious that Brind'Amour has no business playing this year. It's worse than having a constant penalty kill when he's on the ice because he is just taking up space as he gives away the puck and misses assignments. I disagree with Luke when he slams Karmanos for being frank with the fans. We deserved the truth as seen by Karmanos and not some press relations double talk with regard to Laviolette. It's time as well to sit Kaberle and Wallin in the press box. Just as we don't need Karmanos to try to sugarcoat his views about Laviolette, we don't need to have players like Brind'Amour, Wallin, and Kaberle (who was scratched yesterday of course) on the ice simply because seasons ago they played well or because they are or were loyal to the organization. Finally, in my view it is fine for Karmanos to slam Laviolette as long as Karmanos will man up and take the responsibility himself for the lack of talent and put his own money on the line in bringing more talent in to the team. Without that step, the Hurricanes are going nowhere this season and probably for the foreseeable future.
Classless
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 12:51 — CanarseKarmanos' comments are worthless except to placate overzealous fans who think they should know everything that goes on in an organization. The only thing these comments can do is hurt the team. Many of the players wont appreciate them and many of the fans will spend less money because of them. Future coaches and players will think twice before dealing with PK.
Karmanos' reputation had mellowed over the past few years as he had kept his mouth shut. Now that he has opened it again he has confirmed that he is the arrogant jerk that many of his employees, customers, and competitors say he is.
Whals..... Oppps I mean Cane
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 07:06 — ncharleyhardtailWell if you get real fed up with the loss after loss Mayor Perez and Mr Bettman met this week. Mayor Perez of Hartford ,CT is interested in a NHL team ,even the former Whalers!! How about the NC Lightning? Yes? No? Just my half a cents worth!
hmmm
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 08:28 — esteban1949Hartford wants a team...yes i suppose we could have a while elephant sale..and ship the canes back to hartford...but the NC Lightning...I am not sure the fand in Tamp Bay...would like it very much...do you happen to know something that even the hockey news don't know ?? or was that some logial speculation on the order of...gee wouldn't it be nice if, type of thing ?
Whoops. We did IT Again !!
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 04:01 — esteban19491. The canes played 10 mins out of a 60 min game. 2. those "lines" that were productive, got tweaked, and are now as useful as cadilac bumper bullits on a VW Micro-bus. 3. I liked how Sutter was trying to Mix it up and get there, but one day the kid is going to get his head handed back to him, and it won't be pretty.Hit them where it hurts the most...put the puck in the NET ! 4. The Rats ( with Malichar)played better the other night than our last 2 games put together... Heck even the Lethbridge Hurricanes are playing better than we are...as in heart, intencity and consistancy...And i am a STH..really...with the Spokane Chiefs...as one of my daughter (2nd of 4) and her family enjoy them as i live 2350 miles away
Horrible Game except 10 minutes of 3rd
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 01:22 — Caniac324Well I guess PK may be evaluating the GM soon! if this is a playoff team as he says and the coach that his vaunted GM brought back can not get it done they should both leave town together! I guess Toronto proved they knew what they were doing when they fired their last coach!
Not Horrible maybe but far from good!
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 00:27 — kimbusAfter this latest fiasco you have to wonder if the folks in the front office understand the issues here. There are several. Our "C" just plain looks tired. I don't know of any more "Southern" way to put it. He turns over the puck more often than any top line player and he's the last in the slot on rushes to the opponents net. Given the lack of productivity, it's obvious the value added isn't coming from the locker room speech's. The goaltending is spotty and the "soft" goals deflate this team faster than a runaway balloon. Make no mistake, I think Cam Ward is NHL caliber but maybe not a starting goalie. If Cam could play the 1st and 2nd periods like he does the 3rd, the Canes may have won more games at this point in the season. The Canes need to go out and get a starter, possibly with a bit more experience. Note to Canes Management: SPEND THE FREAKIN MONEY! Imagine if we had Thomas Vokun? He gets shelled every night and his GAA is top shelf. Given his salary wonder how many teams would pick Cam off of waivers? Hmmmm Unless something changes I will not contemplate "giving" Peter Karmonos any more of my dwindling income. "Sorry Pete, $200 for 3 people to experience this mess is not going to happen again for me soon". And to think I was a STH when they were in Greensboro......... at least the tickets were cheap!
Joyless Hockey
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 00:06 — abramsdougCane_Addict is right as far as I am concerned. I am personally finding it joyless to watch the Hurricanes play. It's really a shame.
I think we all know
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 23:54 — Sun...the real reason the Canes lost tonight: no Eric Belanger.
This team is horrible
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 23:15 — Cane_AddictI don't care if they came back from a 10 goal deficit, this team sucks. HOW CAN WE LOSE THESE GAMES AGAINST THE WORST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE!?!?! At this point, our best bet is to play for a top draft pick in the off season. I no longer get ANY joy from watching this team play. Even in the rare circumstance they are actually playing well. What a shame.