RALEIGH — The Hurricanes didn't make it easy on themselves in a 3-1 loss to the Red Wings, committing six penalties — four of which came in the second period.
The Red Wings' first two goals both came during power plays.
"We came out with a better stride in the second period and started to generate a little more chances, but then you have guys sitting for six minutes," said Carolina coach Peter Laviolette. "You're out of the role of the bench and out of the synch of the bench.
"It just took away from it. We've been taking lazy penalties for the first three games. These hooking and holding penalties have to stop because they're going to kill us."
The Red Wings went ahead 2-1 during Sergie Samsonov's slashing penalty early in the second period.
And seconds after the Canes killed Ray Whitney's two-minute slashing penalty, Tim Gleason was put in the box for four minutes on cross checking and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
Still, Canes goalie Cam Ward came up with some big saves during that stretch.
"The penalty kill needs to be better," said Laviolette. "You're picking a bright spot. We didn't execute very well in the first couple, and they end up scoring. That one went well. Again, too many penalties, too many times in the box.
"We should've taken another step or had a bit more discipline or gone quietly to the box. These things wear down on your team a bit."
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
Brandon Sutter has a 26.5
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 18:25 — A.H (not verified)Brandon Sutter has a 26.5 face-off % thus far. I know Brind'amour isn't able to play big minutes due to coming off his surgery (Sutter and Staal are both averaging more PK time than him), but he should at least be out there to take some of the defensive zone face-offs when Sutter is on the ice. Sutter is a good PKer, but young players are usually garbage at face-offs and it is showing right now.
Yep,Yep,Yep...
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 17:32 — esteban1949Can't win games or protect your goalie from the BOX !! Where is that push up squad at anyway ? In The hall of shame maybe ?.....But if we are going to win...more than we lose...then we need to focus...stay focused...and remember when all else fails...Get down and give me 20 !!
Go Canes !!
I agree with Laviolette
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 14:50 — Anonymous (not verified)The PK numbers have to rise to playoff contender teams. Even with increased discipline in 05-06 the goals against numbers were very high even for their run and gun playing style. Wallin -out, Babchuk in...Kaberle out, an AHL call up in.
It's only the 3rd game.......
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 12:02 — Ken (not verified)yes, Gleason's double minor wasn't smart, but they held the Wings off for almost 6 straight minutes of PP. The thing I noticed last night was the passing, it just seemed like the team wasn't communicating or in synch with each other. Seeing them struggle to get the puck out of the neutral zone during the short 5 on 3 was frustrating to watch too. But, I'm an optimist (I have to be, I'm a Cubs fan), and I think this team has what it takes to win a lot of games. The Canes had plenty of jump, but just couldn't beat Detriots defense or Conklin last night. On another topic, I was sorry to hear Jack Johnson was out with a bad shoulder, I was looking forward to the Canes making him regret not wanting to come to the team that drafted him.
Bread and Butter
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 11:28 — macsmomOur bread and butter in 05-06 was being disciplined and making other teams pay. The last 2 years and so far this year, we have gotten away from our discipline. I heard Lavi instilled a push up rule in practice if the guys took stupid penelties back in 05-06, maybe he needs to bring that back. And what's sad, its not our rookie (Sutter) taking the penelties, its our veteran guys.