Thrashers 3, Canes 2
AP photo
ATLANTA — What now for the Carolina Hurricanes?
After a 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday at Philips Arena, the Canes have dropped three in a row and four of the last five. While this loss wasn't nearly as ugly and lackluster as the last two -- to Atlanta and Washington -- it still was a loss.
"I think the guys played hard in spurts," Canes coach Peter Laviolette said. "I think the guys showed up."
A power-play goal by Tuomo Ruutu late in the second period gave the Canes some life. With Carolina trailing 2-0, Ruutu drew an interference penalty from Atlanta's Bryan Little at 17:27 of the second.
Twenty seconds later, Ruutu fired a high wrister from the left circle past goalie Johan Hedberg for his sixth goal of the season. Eric Staal had an assist on Ruutu's goal, Staal's first point in six games.
But penalties on Sergei Samsonov (slashing) and Niclas Wallin (unsportsmanlike conduct) at 2:14 of the third gave the Thrashers a full two minutes of 5-on-3. The Canes nearly killed it off, only to have Slava Kozlov score with three seconds left in the two-man advantage for a 3-1 lead.
"We almost did a good job on the 5-on-3," defenseman Dennis Seidenberg said. "We blocked a couple of shots and Wardo (Cam Ward) made a couple of awesome saves. And then (the puck) almost gets out of the zone and we get stretched out too much and they made two passes and the puck's in the net,
"We've got to be more patient in that situation. I mean, we almost did it but almost is not good enough."
Rod Brind'Amour's power-play goal with 5:59 left in the game made it 3-2, and the Canes soon went on the power play again after a holding penalty on Boris Valabik with 5:15 left. But the Thrashers killed it off.
Marty Reasoner's goal at 9:41 of the first period gave the Thrashers a 1-0 lead. Reasoner scored on a perfectly executed two-on-one rush, taking a pass from Colby Armstrong and beating Ward.
Reasoner scored twice Sunday in Atlanta's 5-2 win at the RBC Center.
The Thrashers did it again in the second -- another two-on-one, with Eric Perrin scoring on a pass from Eric Boulton.
"We made mistakes. We were pressing, pressing, and when you do that in the offensive zone, you're vulnerable against the rush," Laviolette said.
The Canes' frustration grew in the second. Brandon Sutter picked up his first NHL penalty for a delay of game after some hard work defensively in the Carolina zone. Matt Cullen then had a breakaway for a short-handed attempt, only to have the Thrashers' Tobias Enstrom come up from behind to put stick on stick and deny Cullen the shot.
"We need to bear down and turn it around," Seidenberg said.
"We've got to be better," added Staal. "Everybody is frustrated."
Chip Alexander
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is in his second season as the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at chip.alexander@newsobserver.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ice_chip.
Comments
Random observation
Mon, 11/17/2008 - 09:59 — s2lrbarnBeyond game play, I have to say that I love the Thrashers' third jersey. It's completely different from their other two, and it's a little conceptual with the wings on the shoulders (and the eyes on the helmet). Very distinctive. Pretty cool.
GM Must Go!
Sun, 11/16/2008 - 11:17 — DelvinFinally somebody is starting to listen to me. We need a different direction with new management. Not another coach. A new vision.
JR's fault?
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 21:51 — CassiusKingYes, he has made some putrid moves, but the team is BOOOOOORING! Cycle, Cycle, Cycle. Nobody out in front. Nobody responds to cheap shots. No plan at all. There will be boo birds tomorrow if this continues. Our arena has been fairly immune to that, but in this economy, how much should we be required to endure?
Well now
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 11:02 — esteban1949we have lots of suggestions and ideas(?) for what the canes need to do...but funny...i haven't seen one that would really get EVERYONE"S attention...Each time the team loses...everyone on the bench (as in plays & coaches) all lose 1/4 of their pay for that game...especially if it was by the lack of quality playing ...as when #4 ( gawd a senior moment!) was hung out to dry on a 2 on 1 and they got past him,they scored type of stupidity of cullen getting tangled up and then even later a 5-3...should never have happened...as you can't win from the BOX...Again for the kind of monies these ' professionals' are getting...what better way to get their attention..and the Coach get's the same treatment too...you can't get the team to do what you need them to do..fine...kaching...you lost 1/4 of your paycheck for that game...after taxes that is...maybe they'll wake up and those players who are busting their chops and butts wil keep on " motivating" the rest of the players...and all the monies will go ( every month) to charity to be determined by the Front office...
Go canes !!! Or go broke !! the choice is yours team...
TV ads
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 10:15 — rmmeliOh and can someone can those TV ad's on FSN. They are really stupid and that one with Cam Ward is truly embarrassing.
tv ads....
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 12:22 — ward30Is it just the fact you don't like Ward? I personally think the adds with Staal, Cam and the other players are good. It lets us know a little bit more of what they are thinking.
constant shuffle
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 10:13 — rmmeliThe way the lines are constantly being shuffled is really stupid. It is obvious to everyone that the players have no idea how or who they are playing with. Putting Cullen on the wing is really daft. They might as well not play him.
Barry Melrose....
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 09:13 — canescupI think you need to check your answering machine JR is calling......just kidding, we all know Rowe will move up to that spot soon...We need CHANGE NOW!!!!!
Dear Mr. Rutherford
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 00:30 — LainiencPerhaps it's still "too early for you to state how you feel". Here's how one household of your customer base feels. 1) Fans haven't seen seen 'whatever it takes' in two seasons. This team seems to have enough talent to be competetive yet their play is sliding downhill on a frictionless surface. November is starting to feel like the movie "Groundhog Day" as are the player interviews regarding what is missing in performance. Talk is cheap. 2) Clearly it's not cost effective to replace multiple players. It seems the cost of eating salary for one staff no longer with the organization is less than the cost of revenues lost from a third year of missing the playoffs. 3) A losing team will not be able to draw/maintain fans in a tanking economy. While the earnings of players and management in professional sports may be recession proof, that is not likely the reality for the average fan. Personally, I will use the investment in 2 full season center ice tickets on a myriad of other necessities if the Canes don't make the playoffs this season. NHL Center Ice will satiate the household Hockey OCD at a fraction of the cost. 4) Discussion of not renewing tickets for next season has already started among other folks that sit in our area. 5) If the season ended today, we're tied for 7th place in the Eastern Conference Standings with Toronto. Three of the teams ahead of us have 5W streaks as does Atlanta who is 2 points behind us. Hopefully this is not the writing on the wall. 6) One would hope there is a sense of urgency from the management, if not the team, to salvage the season before its too late. The Lightning have taken a step to address their issues. Respectfully, A disappointed fan
time to blow this thing up
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 22:23 — johnnymcqwe can't win with this team and none of these guys save Staal and Ward hold any value with the rest of the league. Time for some trades for potential and draft picks. Start building again.
JR and Lavi, time to go.
Cullen, Samsonov, Staal, Bayda, LaRose...can we get a goal please!
Lavi
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 22:17 — tmluciaBye Pete. You had a great run...
did anyone else notice he looked like he was going to cry at the end of the game?
He always looks like that
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 22:23 — dr_avalancheHe always looks like that when we lose
Three losses in a row
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 22:17 — abramsdougTime for JR to take over before the season goes down the tubes.
take over?
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 02:03 — JohnBurnsWho do you think assembled this team?
This is JR's team. NOw Lavi's going to get the blame.
How he's supposed to win with limited size and speed and one goal scorer (who can;t find the goal) is a mystery to me.
How's that Cole trade looking now, folks?
No skill
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 06:38 — CanarseYou can argue the Cole trade, but the bottom line is this team has a serious lack of skilled forwards. Cole, Williams and Stillman are gone and replaced by???? Ruutu? Bayda? Samsonov? We shouldn't be all that surprised.
Rutuu? Bayda?
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 10:20 — canescupI'm not really sure if your watching the games or not but without Rutuu (who I believe has 6g) most of these games would be worse. And for Bayda he's been hitting guys like he's 250 lbs. At least some are trying to win a game. As for Cole, please we got his best years.
I'm still not convinced
Sun, 11/16/2008 - 19:41 — CanarseI'm still not convinced Ruutu is all that. He is hot right now. I he stays healthy (something he has a problem with) and scores 25 to 30 goals I'll be convinced.
Yes, Bayda will hit, but that's about all he's got. Perfect 3rd or 4th liner. It's a problem if he's on your top 6 or PP.
I'm not saying Cole or Stillman shouldn't have been traded. I am saying their replacements are lacking.
Erik Cole 2008 Stats 3
Sat, 11/15/2008 - 03:01 — IggyReillyErik Cole 2008 Stats
3 goals, 2 assists, -3 in 16 games
yeah id say that production wouldn't solve all the canes issues. quit whining about the cole trade and move on. JR has made some mistakes. I think he waits to long to make a move, and then over compensates when he does make a move.
The ship is sinking....
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 22:11 — rmmeliThis team is sinking fast. Rutherford, do something.
The Canes suck..
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 22:08 — TarHeelFan05The Canes suck..
time to wake up!
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 21:29 — esteban1949we need a win...as the Rats lost tonite 6-3...hope it aint contagious...
Go Canes !!!