PITTSBURGH — The Hurricanes are being diplomatic in what they say publicly about Erik Cole's injury in Game 1 and the knee-to-knee hit he took from the Penguins' Matt Cooke.
Here's what center Eric Staal had to say today about the hit:
"I think when a guy doesn't see you coming and you're in a vulnerable position, it's one of those plays where you should maybe just get out of the way instead of coming across. But things happen quick. You're coming across the ice, I understand that. But I think when a player doesn't see someone coming and you finish him, it's a difficult play."
Staal noted he also took a hit from Cooke, who caught him in somewhat of a vulnerable position, during the game but avoided an injury.
"I know even on the hit on me there, where I tried the one-timer, I had no idea where he was coming from and there was kind of a blind spot on me," Staal said. "But that's the way he plays. He plays in your face and gets under your skin. We'll have to make sure we're up and we're being physical on him, too."
The Canes also lost forward Tuomo Ruutu in the first period of the game. Ruutu was in front of the Pens net when he was hit from behind by defenseman Mark Eaton and injured his right ankle.
Neither Cooke nor Eaton were penalized.
Canes general manager Jim Rutherford's comment on the plays: "Both the hits on Erik and Tuomo, I thought, should have been two-minute penalties."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Avoidable
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 08:27 — esteban1949Eric Staal, like each of us here, are like baseball umpires...we call em like we seem em...too bad the NHL ref's are blind as bats...but i'm just a fan...hehehe..
Go Canes !!
Don't like the hit(s)
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 17:24 — JadosaI think Cooke should have been suspended, and so do most on the Pens msg board. The league dropped the ball here. I don't care that they didn't punish OV they need to stop careless play. Even if the hit wasn't intentionally dirty it was at best careless.
I have not seen the replay of Eaton's hit but it should have been a penalty, and Larose took a shot at Gonchar's knee as well. This type of play has to stop.
I agree, and like I said before
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 17:28 — hockeyhickif the Canes have to resort to cheap shots to win, I'd rather lose.
Erica?
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 15:40 — loneywatchIt is well known that Eric Staal is a little light in the loafers
Are you saying...
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 23:31 — AllenH...It takes one to know one?
You're waaayyy off on that one, junior.
Run along home to your kennel, yo mama has been woofin' for ya'.
Go away Loneywatch!
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:12 — CanES12TG6You must lead a very lonely, sad, and pathetic life. I feel sorry for you. This is the first and only time I'm going to respond to your pathetic posts. Get a life!
I guess if
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:05 — hockeyhickmy team had a streaky goalie, an immature diver for a Captain, Hal Gill, and a bunch of also-rans I would resort to simple childish name-calling as well.
I can't defend Hal Gil, he's
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:17 — Pensin5I can't defend Hal Gil, he's horrible. The rest of your comment is almost as ridiculous as that tool loney.
I'll give you Malkin, Crosby, Scuderi, and Talbot (sp?)
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 16:40 — hockeyhickEveryone else is average at best. Just to go over a few...
Bill Guerin-won a Cup as a passanger (as did Kunitz), always followed the money, decent veteran experience but fading skills and a lot less physical than he used to be. I'll take Malone over Guerin, and Ryan Whitney over Kunitz (yes, iknow whitney is a defenseman-i'll still take him over Kunitz).
Satan? Nice break-away goal, but he is a streaky scorer with little character. He's no Hossa.
Gonchar-well, he has rounded out his game some since playing in Washington and Boston, but he is still, IMHO, suspect defensively.
Orpik-over rated, and not tough. He thinks he is, Pens fans think he is, but he is a lot like Aaron Ward. Physical, until someone gives it back.
Fleury? Still developing, but he is streaky. Once he learns how to be more consistent and keep his emotions in check he will be a great goalie. Now? Slightly above average, especially when compared to the goalies left in the playoffs. That may be a little harsh, seeing that there is no "d" in "Pittsburgh".
Letang is a decent player, probably a little underrated actually. I like him and Scuderi.
Defense as a whole, and actually the team as a whole, plays much smaller than they are. The Canes play much bigger and stronger than their stats would indicate.
And Hal Gill just plain sucks. You have to question any GM that would even THINK of signing him!
Canes in VI
Orpik and Avery
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 11:19 — abramsdougI put Orpik and Avery in the same category of players who are more jokes than hockey players. Avery is a mental case with talent. Orpik is a cheap shot artist with a big streak of cowardice. I've never seen Orpik man up and hit somebody who saw him coming. For any team that would have either Opik or Avery on their team, I think it speaks volumes about the nature of an organization and a fundamental lack of character of that organization. Intense and fierce hitting is an integral part of NHL hockey. The kind of sleazy play by Avery and Orpik demeans the sport and demeans the teams upon which they play. When Dallas found out the kind of person Avery was, they unloaded him and that impressed me. The Dallas team made it clear that they would not let Avery's talent blind them to his character flaws. The fact that the Pens organization condones the dirty play of Orpik tells me all I need to know about the organization. My test is simple: if Orpik moves on to another team and takes out Malkin, Crosby, or Jordan Staal with a blind side hit, a slew foot, or a knee to knee take down, will the organization shake it off as part of hockey or will it call for Orpik's head on a platter. If that were to occur would the Pens organization argue Orpik is a dirty player or would they say he was just doing his job.
hockeyhick
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 21:16 — kokid87HockeyHICK you really have the Pens roster broken down.From what you write, I dont know how they made it to the conference final. According to you they should have been in the lottery for the next draft. As for the Cooke hit(which did not result in a penalty), you can not suspend him after letting OV run Gonchar knee to knee. You probably did not see that play. As for Orpik, you really have no idea what you are talking about. Cole is still trying to nail him with no success. Bottom line---enjoy the series. GO PENS
Here's what I know about Orpik...
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 10:04 — MichaelProctonAll of his best hits are delivered when the opponent has their back to him.
Orpik
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 11:20 — abramsdougHas Orpik ever made any hit on somebody other than when the player's back was turned to him or where the player didn't see him coming? If so, I've not seen it.
Good on Staal
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 14:35 — HockeydogI like that Eric Staal made this comment. I am on the fence about both hits, but neither was a blatant, pre-meditated attempt to injure. Playoff hockey is rough and injury is possible for anyone out there. Let's get over it and play the cards that are being dealt. A nice, clean, debilitating hit on Cooke would be nice. Eaton's contact with Ruutu was even less of an issue. Still plenty of talent on this Canes team, just two less faces to look at and hope they get it done. Look in the mirror, boys.
High road
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 03:12 — hctimo787Agreed 100% with Hockeydog here. Props to Eric for taking the high road.