Staff photo by Chris Seward
RALEIGH — The Atlanta Thrashers scored four goals in the second period in rolling past the Hurricanes 5-2 Sunday for their fourth straight victory.
After a scoreless first period, the Thrashers grabbed a 4-2 lead after two periods in the Southeast Division game at the RBC Center. Marty Reasoner added a third-period goal, for Atlanta.
Jason Williams' power-play goal at 13:48 of the second gave Atlanta its first lead of the game, 3-2. Rod Brind'Amour and Ray Whitney scored for the Canes, who led 1-0 and 2-1 in the period before the Thrashers took charge.
"We talked about energy and it wasn't where it needed to be," Canes coach Peter Laviolette said after his team's third game in four days.
Reasoner, Ron Hainsey and Ilya Kovalchuk also scored in the second for the Thrashers, who scored the four goals on nine shots. Hainsey's goal tied the score 2-2.
Kovalchuk scored with 1:47 left in the second on a crisp crossing pass from Williams to make it 4-2. With Kovalchuk on the doorstep, Canes goalie Cam Ward had no chance.
"I don't think they had a whole lot of chances," Laviolette said. "The ones they had they put in the net."
Reasoner added his second goal of the game early in the third and the Thrashers had a second straight road win after beating Buffalo 5-4 in overtime on Friday.
Atlanta had been outscored 25-9 in the second period before Sunday's game. The Thrashers also were 1-5-1 this season when opponents scored first.
"I think playing strong in our own zone (was the key)," Atlanta coach John Anderson said. "We're not a big team, but Carolina's the kind of team that likes to cycle. I think what we tried to do was contain them, keep them to the outside and protect the middle of the ice.
"It's hard to do because it seems like you're going around and around in your zone. But as long as you're not giving up quality shots, that's a pretty good thing."
Atlanta goalie Johan Hedberg had 35 saves as the Canes outshot the Thrashers 37-22.
"I think our goaltender played really well. He was really sharp," Anderson said.
Brind'Amour scored at 1:32 of the second for a 1-0 lead. Brind'Amour took a pass from Sergei Samsonov in front and flipped a backhand under the pads of Atlanta goalie Johan Edberg for his fifth goal of the season.
Reasoner tied it 1-1 with his second goal of the season. Reason first fumbled the puck to the right of Ward, then got off the shot. The puck appeared to tumble over Ward's right shoulder and over the goal line.
Whitney answered at 5:50, taking a Tuomo Ruomo pass and skating in unchecked to fire a shot past Hedberg fo a 2-1 lead.
But Hainsey struck on a shot from the left point at 10:04 for a 2-2 tie.
The fans got excited late in the first when the Canes' Wade Brookbank and Thrashers' Eric Boulton dropped the gloves and went at it, both landing a few punches.
Canes center Matt Cullen and forward Patrick Eaves were scratches.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
A Picture Worth 1000 Words...
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 11:50 — penaltykiller74That picture is how I would sum up our team. Willing to fight, but can't get the job done because we're not tough enough.
I personally think that if we had SOME intimidation factor, Brookbank doesn't cut it, it would allow our stars to play their game.
Staal, Whitney, and Brindamour have been shells of their former selves, and it is due to the fact that they are being defended HARD, and no one is coming to their defense and putting that "fear of the fist" into their defenders.
Walker showed that during the pre-season, but messed up his hand, so no one is going to be intimidated by a player that most likely won't fight with a bum hand, and Brookbank just takes shots to the back of his head, until it is over.
We need to start playing hard. I'm not saying do what Philly did last year, but they went from last place in the NHL to the Eastern Conference Finals, and they started out VERY tough, and I'm sure that set the stage for letting their stars play their game.
Be Accountable! - No Excuses
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 11:17 — Josh (not verified)I'm really tired of the announcers and fans speculating over why a player isn't playing well. Samsonov plays horribly and people say, "He just can't catch a break. He's just on the verge of things beginning to click!" That's crap. He's a senior player. Luck shouldn't exist and you shouldn't have to dial in your game to start scoring. You're either good or you're not. Stall looks lethargic game after game and yet people say "He must be fighting an injury, because he isn't playing like Staal". Again, why speculate. He's lazy. 9 times out of 10, he's the guy committing the stupid penalty at a crucial time. He can't have an injured shoulder and injured legs. Staal coasts until the All-Star game and picks up the MVP. That's who he is. Plus, keep in mind that two of his goals (I believe) were empty netters and another was a lucky goal that was reflected off a player's skate. He’s dynamite when he shooting at an empty net, but shows no effort when ours is empty. Brindi has a -13! He's always on the ice when the other team scores (with his trusty sidekick Samsonov). I usually don’t pay much attention to +/-, but come on. A player's points don't matter when he's giving up an equal number of goals. The people hurting us the most are the ones that occupy the majority of our team budget. The real players are Ruutu, Seidenburg, Corvo (stop pinching), Bayda, Rosie, and Whitney that are showing up to play. They may have bad games, but not bad seasons. Rutherford, please, please, please, stop buying China Doll players or seniors that are stagnant. Stop taking pride on your ability to resurrect a player's career. Never trade for a player that is coming in injured. I don’t know where the lackadaisical mentality is coming from, but fix it. Whatever that entails, do it. The Cane’s are currently valued at 21 of 30. What does that mean? Probably nothing, but combine that w/ the current economic situation. Fewer fans will be willing to pay for games, especially when the team doesn’t appear to be fighting for a win. Another weak, short season, is not going to inspire fan devotion, and won’t translate into $$$. I don't even have time to talk about Ward. Whatever, back to work!
You might recall
Wed, 11/12/2008 - 01:52 — JohnBurnsTHat Brindy is playing his way back from injury, and has two major facial injuries to boot. You ever go to work with 25 stitches in your grill? the last thing to come back after a knee injury is the jump. He'll get it.
And Staal is wearing 4 opponents every time he;'s on the ice. Until Cullen and Whitney and Pitkanen, et al are back and consistent, he's going to be the first, second and third focus of every team we play. Calling him lazy is just, well, lazy.
Go learn some hockey. Then come back and talk.
I believe in accountablility
Wed, 11/12/2008 - 01:50 — JohnBurnsBUt your comment betrays a profound ignorance about the sport.
If you don't want your tickets, give them to an elementary school kid so he can learn to love the sport.
If you're going to complain, try to be (1) accurate and (2) fair.
Need I say more?
Wed, 11/12/2008 - 21:38 — Puckin_awesomeHey John, you didn't happen to chatch the Canes 2nd shot at the Caps did you? Staal choked on at least 6 opportunites. Now, unless I misunderstood what was really happening on the ice, I'm pretty sure it was just him, his stick, and a puck. Maybe he's injured. Maybe I just need to go learn some hockey. Or maybe, just maybe, I was right!
Multiple problems
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 11:03 — HockeydogThis team has multiple issues.
1) Goaltending
True you can't blame Ward as the singular problem to the teams loss yesterday, but he has to be held accountable for his part. His play this year warrants a demotion to 2nd string while Leighton gets a good look as a number one.
2) Injuries
Team doesn't want to use it as an excuse but to some degree
it is. Team needs to get healthy and figure out how to stay healthy. I'm glad Rutherford is finally looking at this long term health issue this team has, but his focus needs to go beyond Friesen's methods and look at what kind of players they bring in.
3) Puck possession
This team has a few rugged players but overall is not big enough to slug it out along the boards all night.
Too much emphasis is placed on getting the puck up the ice quickly which results in a somewhat ineffective forecheck or
too many missed stretch passes. With the skill level and
physical level this team has they need to value the puck a bit more when they ( each player) has it on their blade.
Shorter, safer passing with plenty of motion.
4) Coach lost the room?
I couldn't begin to answer this, nobody beyond the players or coaching staff could answer that one.
We lost!
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 07:53 — esteban1949i was sick and didn't listen to the game...as i said on the who for goal posting...from reading what was posted here thus far...now i am glad i was sick...heck even the Rats in the last few games they have played look more like we do...hmmm...somebody pass the pepto please...
N&O report
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 07:53 — rmmeliGood report Chip. Totally abysmal performance. Bring back Leighton. He may not be a top notch NHL goalie but you know what you are going to get. This lackluster team needs a kick and the way to do that is to start with a new coach.
Oh and if people think Eaves coming back is going to make a difference, then the Canes really are in trouble. If you remember he was touted by the coaching staff during pre-season as a replacement for Williams....I assume that was a joke in hindsight.
A very poor showing by the
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 22:53 — ctillA very poor showing by the Canes... a home game against a weaker divisional opponent. Sheesh!
Ward played poorly but no worse than most of his teammates. Of Atlanta's four goals 5-on-5, the Brind'amour/Samsonov/LaRose line was on the ice for every one.
Brind'amour is now minus 13 for the season, and Staal was a non-factor today. Staal took the penalty that led to Atlanta's PP goal, too.
5 disappointments so far this year
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 22:02 — Anonymous (not verified)1 - Eric Stall - he just doesnt bring his A game every night, and certainly not on every shift. He only seems to play up to his potential in spurts. He needs to get his attitude adjusted, someone with his size and talent should be leading the team in points, no excuses.
2 - Samsonov - 15 games only only 3 measley assists, pitiful.
3- Eaves - If your not going to be an asset offensively, at least be physical and tough, he is neither. He needs a bus ticket to Albany.
4 - Cam Ward - Still waiting for this so called super star goalie to carry the team night in night out....
5- Coach - Sorry Peter, but the team still has some bad habits left over from the past two crapy seasons. Defensemen cheating and pinching in and getting burnt too many times. Live by the sword, die by the sword. Even the forwards are getting burnt taking chances with the lead when it's not needed.
STAAL
Wed, 11/12/2008 - 01:49 — JohnBurnsLearn to spell.
Eaves
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 12:53 — CanarseRumor has it that Eaves has some type of intestinal problem. It's not a cold or something simple. He may deserve a pass at this point.
Forget this
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 21:49 — Anonymous (not verified)I think I am going to jump this sinking ship. I don't care what anybody says about how they have 18 pts., this team SUCKS. I'm sick of the lack of play from the "stars" of the team and the apparent lack of offense, leadership, and coaching. It's bad enough to lose at home, but to loose this badly in front of your home crowd to the thrashers: embarrassing. If the front office has problems now, wait until they start having a problem with empty seats.
BTW, if you want to follow a winning team in professional sports in this state, may I suggest the Carolina Panthers? At least they fight to win every game and give a 60 min effort instead of these slacker Canes players.
If you think Ward is the
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 19:55 — Nick (not verified)If you think Ward is the problem you cant tell the difference between laughably bad defense and goalie issues...the way I see it Ward was the only one who showed up to play
The you need to get an eye
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 20:45 — Anonymous (not verified)The you need to get an eye doctors appointment asap because you don't see very well.
Ward let in 5 of 22 shots ... 77% effective !!! With nobody else on the ice, head to head, one on one, a decent NHL level goal tenders should stop at least 80%.
If Ward was in the AHL today, he would not qualify for an NHL call up. He's been TERRIBLE. I'm ready to give Leighton the next 5 starts !
Totally agree. Way too many
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 20:18 — robotron2084Totally agree. Way too many people seem to want to simply blame the goalie whenever the puck is in the net. The first goal to Reasoner where it rolled over his shoulder was a tough one. But when another is scored when the puck bounces right out to Williams to the side of the net, or a pass is allowed to go right in front of the crease to Kovulchuk or he gets screened more by his own team than the opposition on Hainsey's shot from the blue line, that's terrible defensive zone coverage. Then they simply hand over the puck to Reasoner deep in the zone on his second goal. Absolutely brutal. Sure I'd like to see Ward make a 10-bell save on one or two of those, but it's wholly unfair to hang him out to dry when the rest of the team has clearly taken the night off.
Ward got slammed when he let in that bad angle goal (and two total) that allowed Edmonton to tie the game. Leighton allowed virtually the same bad angle goal the following game and there's no comment. Why? Well the offense only managed a goal against Edmonton, so it resulted in a loss, whereas they showed up for 6 goals in front of Leighton, so it was "fine" he let in 4. Bottom line, it's easier to hang the goalie for a loss than understand it's a team game and the other 18 skaters are just as responsible for the result.
sorry but
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 21:14 — wylde4canes (not verified)A true number one comes up with at least one of those as a save. There is plenty of blame for eveyone, but the truth of the matter is 17 saves on 22 shots warrants a good look at the goaltenders play.
Also, consider the team may play better in fornt of Leighton because they trust him more at this point. Also, it owuld be nice if Staal would sit if he is injured. I would rather have a Rat playing his @$$ off than Staal running around tentative of his bum shoulder.
On Ice Presentation
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 19:46 — Rocket (not verified)I know I'm digressing, but after 3 years, isn't it time to change the on ice presentation? Ric Flair is getting old and tired. Stormy's antics are the same. The cheerleaders do the same thing. It's all getting old and stale. And "our team, our tradition" ... wasn't that used last year? The newsletters are the same. It's all starting to look and feel mediocre.
This team needs an exciting new marketing plan that exudes energy ... something that the city can "rally" around.
Whole-heartedly agree
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 09:13 — ruutufan (not verified)I couldn't have said it better myself! It seems this organization is doing just enough to get by. Ric Flair, the lame Storm Squad, and the redundant music clips need to go. If I have to hear "Everybody, Clap Your Hands", "Cotton-Eyed Joe", or "Thank God, I'm a Country Boy" one more time.../rant/
Someone needs to get creative with the in-game experience, and stop taking the fans for granted! It would really help if the team would play some inspired, consistent hockey as well.
Speakers
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 10:38 — rmmeliAnd can someone fix that speaker system so that when there are commentaries being broadcast those of us in the cheap seats in the 300 sections can actually hear what is being said? I find it incredible that half of the words being said are completely muffled.
And while at it there is the fact that those fancy new speakers are so big they block out the view of the clock where I sit. Did anyone ever think about that....
"Tuomo Ruomo" - nice. I
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 19:02 — robotron2084"Tuomo Ruomo" - nice.
I basically sit behind Ward in the 2nd period and it was disgusting. And no, I don't mean Cam Ward. The defensive zone coverage was atrocious. For a team that wants to play a puck possession game, they sure do a horrible job of it. They spend all their time chasing and if by some stroke of good fortune they get the puck, they turn it right back over again.
Again, I'm talking about defensive zone coverage (total team), not just the defensemen, not just the goalie. Are you listening forwards?? They really do act like, with their skill, they simply need to put on their uniforms (cup first apparently) and they'll win. Well, I saw the uniforms, but nothing even remotely close to a win.
I don't have a problem starting Leighton on Wednesday, but not because Cam Ward has played badly, but because for some reason, the rest of the team at least seems to try a heck of a lot harder when Leighton is in net. If they'd play that way consistently we wouldn't have to be subjected to what we saw tonight.
Goalie
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 18:51 — Anonymous (not verified)I was at the game on the fourth row. Ward was far worse in person that words can describe. Leighton should have started this game; and Ward should have been pulled when the score was 3-2. It's going to be a long, long, long season unless we find a true #1 NHL goalie.
Ward v. Leighton
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 20:24 — dabrams (not verified)Ward: 4 wins, 4 losses in regulation, 2 losses in OT (4wins and 6 losses) in 10 games played -- 9 points earned by team in 10 games
Leighton: 4 wins 1 loss (4 wins in 5 games played) 8 points earned by team in 5 games)
Ward: goals allowed: 2.86
Leighton: goals allowed: 2.37
Ward: .910 save percentage
Leighton: .921 save percentage
From where I sat, it didn't look like a lax defense allowing easy shots. It did look like a lax goalie allowing soft goals and taking the energy out of the RBC and the team as a whole.
Wow we are going on the
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 17:16 — Shane (not verified)Wow we are going on the Power Play woow..
come on guys get yo head in
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 17:12 — Shane (not verified)come on guys get yo head in the game..
5-2 and the game isnt over
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 17:04 — Anonymous (not verified)5-2 and the game isnt over
No wonder why they put the
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 17:01 — Anonymous (not verified)No wonder why they put the parking tickets up and the eye stuff and the tickets.. cause we havent made the damn playoffs in 2 straight years after winning the stanley cup.. being in the playoffs wouldve made millions of dollars. weve lost alot of millions..
If We Dont Do What it Takes
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 16:58 — Anonymous (not verified)If We Dont Do What it Takes to Win.. We are gonna fail big time.. We are becoming a Embarrassment in the League...
Dear Mr. Rutherford.. find
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 16:55 — Anonymous (not verified)Dear Mr. Rutherford.. find us a team that will want to compete night and day and not look lathargic all the time.. We need a team like San Jose or Washington or Detroit,Pittsburgh,or the New York Rangers.. we need scoring players... think its time for Laviolette to go..the canes can score and play.. we need to make it into the playoffs.. and blow them all to bits..weve only been like a Tropical Storm. i dont think we ever made Hurricane Status Yet.. Its time to Play guys..
Canes Game
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 16:42 — Tony (not verified)What are we waiting for make Leighton the number one goalie. How many more times do we have to see Ward lose leads and give up goals on shots that he should have stopped. He has lost his confidence and might do okay for a month or two in Albany.
mr rutherford
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 16:40 — guppyman45dear mr. rutherford,
find us a goalie.
wardo
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 16:30 — guppyman45three already......he will give up five unless he is pulled.
Prophetic!
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 21:56 — A.M. (not verified)Prophetic!
pathetic
Mon, 11/10/2008 - 05:12 — Anonymous (not verified)PATHETIC