Rich Peverley's goal with 6:03 left gave the Atlanta Thrashers the lead in a 6-4 comeback victory over the Hurricanes fueled by five third-period goals.
Trailing 4-1 entering the third period, the Thrashers tied it with three goals in the first nine minutes of the period.
Slava Kozlov and Ilya Kovalchuk scored in a 48-second span to make it 4-3, and Maxim Afinogenov tied it at nine minutes of the third. Peverley scored from the slot, with Marty Reasoner adding an empty netter.
"We definitely thought we had the game in control and weren't able to put it away," Canes forward Matt Cullen said. "Again, we gave them life when we didn't need to and couldn't afford to and they jumped on it."
The Canes, who lost their third in a row, played the third without defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who left with an upper-body injury. And again, the Canes had problems handling the puck in their zone.
Cullen had a short-handed goal and Stephane Yelle and Sergei Samsonov also scored in the second period as the Canes lead 4-1 after two.
"Thank God the rule requires three periods," Atlanta coach John Anderson said. "It's a 60-minute hockey game and we just don't play well in the first two period."
But the Thrashers now have a 37-13 scoring edge in third-period play this season.
Yelle gave the Canes a 2-0 lead early in the second period. When Thrashers goalie Ondrej Pavelec tried to play the puck behind the net, Yelle beat him to it and scored on a wraparound at 2:18.
After Evander Kane scored for the Thrashers at 10:31 of the second, Samsonov picked up his first goal in 10 games and third of the season. Erik Cole carried the puck into the zone with speed and centered a pass to Samsonov for the easy score.
Cullen's shorthanded score -- the Canes' second of the season -- came after Manny Legace made a pair of saves on Ilya Kovalchuk shots on the power play. Tom Kostopoulos led the rush into the Thrashers' zone and fed Cullen at 18:25.
Cole's goal at 8:11 of the first pushed the Canes ahead 1-0. Cole scored with a quick backhander after a faceoff in the Thrashers zone.
Rod Brind'Amour assisted on the Yelle goal. It was his 295th career assist as a Hurricane, moving him into sole second place in franchise history.
The Canes had another potential goal disallowed when Tuomo Ruutu was ruled to have kicked the puck in the net with 7:04 left in first. Initial ruling was no-goal, upheld on review.
The Thrashers' Ilya Kovalchuk was injured at 7:52 of the first but quickly returned to the game.
Scott Walker and Pat Dwyer are the Canes' scratches. It's possible Walker could play tomorrow night in Buffalo. ...
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Fugly 3rd period
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:18 — HockeydogI thught the Tampa game was maybe a turning point, and a solid game to build on, but I guess the Lightning were just having a bad night.
Pay us back
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 10:01 — rmmeliI think the Canes players should step up and give us all our money back for the way they lost that game. That was probably the worst game I can remember seeing either home or away since I have been watching the Canes from 2001 onwards. Stunning in its complete lack of professionalism. The players can step up, admit their total incompetence and pay us our ticket money back. A team in the English Premier League did it earlier this month when they were walloped 9-1 and were similarly embarrassed.
If you haven't read about it, it is here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/8374893.stm
Next Year
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:49 — NetMinderThe minute the Canes hit the ice for the third period, it was obvious this wasn't the same Canes team that played the first two. They looked dead legged and timid, uncertain, just waiting for the proverbial ____ to hit the fan — and, as we all know, it did. Where was the team that actually looked like an Eastern Conference finalist the first 40 minutes? Did they forget to take their meds? Where's the coaching? Where's the passion? Where's the identity? Where's the D? Speaking of which, Seidenberg (28) has 10 pts. and a +4 plus/minus for FLA — and Babchuk (25) is humming along at a point a game clip for Avangard Omsk in the KHL. Ruutu, Jokinen, Sutter, Staal, Cole, Kostopoulus, Ward, Gleason, Pitkanen and Alberts — 26, 26, 20, 25, 31, 30, 25, 26, 26 and 28. Average age: 26.3. We have seen the future — and it is young(er). Next year is here.
Collapse
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 07:46 — lewpulsWhen I saw (didn't listen to the game) that they were up 4-1, I thought something like "at last a comfortable lead" and "hope they don't find a way to blow it". This officially ends the season, doesn't it?
On the other hand, they sucked going into Buffalo last year and got a win and turned it around. But it doesn't seem as though individual wins can help turn it around this year.
Didn't we blow a 5 goal lead last year in the third... with Leighton in goal and three minor league defensemen...
If you can't give guys away (Yelle, Conboy), you usually can't trade them (though JR managed to do that last year with one or two).
I can't see him firing Mo... Maybe swap and let Francis be the head coach and Mo an assistant?
Let Francis run the bench
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:28 — CanenutEveyone believes that Francis is being groom to be a head coach some day, so, let him be the head coach tonight and for the next 10 games and see what he can do. Put Maurice in the press box as a healthy scratch. What can it hurt?
i would
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 07:27 — esteban1949If i was the coach...fine each player that was on the ice that allowed the other team to score an empty netter...each time Mo has pulled the goalie for a 6th attacker...we get atacked...but hey guess what...Mo is batting 1000%...gee that's the only perfect stat the Canes don't need huh ? I am NOT sure if i want to watch tonight...as i am NOT sure what team the Canes will put on the ice tonight...57 more games to go...sigh...gee even the thought of firing Mo or JR doesn't even cheer me up anymore...sigh..somebody pass the malox please...
The Great Collapse -- Atlanta game
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 23:41 — abramsdougThe result, unfortunately, was predictable for this team. In fact, at the end of the second period the friend I was with at the game asked if I thought the Hurricanes could possibly blow a three goal lead at home in one period. I told him, absolutely, this team has the most amazing will to lose of any NHL team I have ever seen.
The third period was purely and simply the worst display of NHL hockey I have ever seen. Even Manascalco was calling for the team to make drastic changes; and he is usually an apologist for the Hurricanes team no matter how poorly the team plays.
In my view, the time has long passed for Aaron Ward to be traded or waived. It is time to rebuild; and that means that players such as Corvo and LaRose need to be traded either for prospects or draft choices. Walker should not be re-signed. Yelle should not be re-signed. Ward, if not traded, should not be re-signed. Samsonov needs to be traded. Brind'Amour really needs to be bought out next year, and hopefully he will retire so that step will be graceful for all involved. There is no reason to wait to make drastic changes. There is no excuse for any NHL team coming apart at the seams this way. The players ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Even Manascalco was calling
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:01 — wxray1Even Manascalco was calling for the team to make drastic changes; and
he is usually an apologist for the Hurricanes team no matter how poorly
the team plays.
Really? I turned on the radio at 11PM, and he was still going. A caller called in and basically said, "These are pros, they simply need to play through this." At this, Manascalco gave the caller the "Best Caller of the Night" award (I'm serious), and then went on a rant how the team shouldn't make changes, and all the other callers are crazy asking for changes. Oh, and BTW, it is nearly impossible to make changes right now (Nov) in the new NHL, blah, blah, blah. And he reiterated that this team will have to work through it.
I turned the radio off in disgust and went to bed.
Well, when I was listening
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:52 — procellaeWell, when I was listening to him on the way home, he was basically saying that this team seriously needs to make changes while awkwarding avoiding all the serious questions (i.e. the question "What should we do with Ward?" had an answer concerning the Washington Capitals game on Monday). He is a huge Maurice homer though. The way that he talks about Maurice being a savior and our players being the problem is just digusting.
I too made the mistake of
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 09:52 — rmmeliI too made the mistake of listening to 99.9 after the game. The only words worth listening to come from Forslund and unfortunately he had to leave for the flight to Buffalo. Following one of the worst games I have ever seen, Manascalco was talking complete purile nonsense. One minute he was saying that this is the same team that went to the Conference Finals and then he was agreeing with another caller who said this was not the same team that went to the Conference Finals. Even my 15 year old son decided that his incessant babble was not worth listening to...we turned off for some relief.
On ice when Atlanta made it
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 23:01 — ctillOn ice when Atlanta made it 4-2: Sutter, Whitney, LaRose, Alberts, Ward
On ice when Atlanta made it 4-3: Cullen, Ruutu, Jokinen, Corvo, Wallin
On ice when Atlanta made it 4-4: Staal, Samsonov, Cole, Ward, Wallin
On ice when Atlanta made it 5-4: Staal, Samsonov, Cole, Ward, Gleason
NEAR ICE WHEN ATLANTA MADE IT
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 23:06 — WAStoutNear ice when Atlanta made it 4-2: Mo
Near ice when Atlanta made it 4-3: Mo
Near ice when Atlanta made it 4-4: Mo
Near ice when Atlanta made it 5-4: Mo
Yes, Ward sucks but doesn't MO GET THE FINAL CHANGE AT HOME!?!?!?!?!?!?! HE IS THE ONE THAT PUTS HIM OUT THERE!!!!
MO MUST GO!
I won't boo......
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 23:00 — garybdiverI am a full STH for 10 yeras now. I have never boo'd the teams. and I won't start now. But I m mad and very disapointed after tonight. How can any professional team play like they did for 40 minutes and completly stop playing give up. Thank god I can still find free parking, but no more beer or food from the consessions the rest of the year. They already have my 22 dollars a game for the seat.
Again.
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 22:56 — WAStoutFire Mo. FOR THE 16TH GAME IN A ROW I'VE BEGGED FOR IT!!!!
Anyone thinking this team
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 22:53 — wxray1Anyone thinking this team can pull off what Washington did 2 years ago needs to be committed.
It won't be happenin' folks.
JR, you blew it. The old band is tired. Resigning them was a mistake. They can't play more than 1 set without the roof caving in.
Time to blow it up. It is over. Over.
I was there tonight, and I'm numb. At least I was entertained, but having any tie to this set of players is done. I'm cutting the cord.
I usually hate fans who boo
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 22:36 — procellaeI usually hate fans who boo at their team. But today, I joined them. They deserved it. 5 (five) unanswered goals is inexcusable. I also joined in on the numerous "Mo must go!" chants. After this game, I really believe Maurice has to be fired. I wouldn't mind bringig back Lavi at this point.
Ward, Alberts, and Wallin are all detrimental to the team. Pitkanen must not be that important. Brind'amour continues to fail as captain. Maurice continues to get the team to go into a shell. Changes should be made. Now, not later. Tonight even.
I am ready to accept this as a rebuilding year. I do not want them to attempt a run, get 9th place, and lose the a good draft pick. JR needs to evaluate where they are at and decide.
Oh, I almost forgot to say the negatives. They played well the first 40 minutes.
Problem.
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 22:25 — dustinlammersWallin and Ward were awful, I didn't notice Pitkanen at all in the 3rd and with having to watch the Atlanta feed, there was no mention of him being hurt. Wallin just plain sucks, game after game his coverage is attacked and other teams score. I don't understand the loyalty to this guy. It's good he has a no trade b/c no other NHL team would employ him. Ward is too slow and benefited from played with Chara last year, but in my mind his time has come...
The top 3 lines were all good tonight, but it's the same thing that has been the story of the season, our defense is truly a glaring defficieny. Letting Seidenberg and Babchuk go was a big flop and their replacements aren't even close. The sooner we can dump them and bring up Rodney, Carson and McBain the better.
Giving up a 3 goal lead in the 3rd period at home is really inexcusable. As fans we have to keep cheering on the good. Tomorrow is a chance for the big road win.
If Pitkanen is out, it'll be good to have Rodney back.
Again.
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 22:16 — WAStoutFire Mo.
This Season Is Toast
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 21:59 — richardfocI'm not giving up on this team but I'm definitely giving up on this season. I'll be going to a bunch of meaningless games between now and April. Lucky me.
WELL I GIVE UP!!!
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 21:54 — whalecanesThat's the seal on the deal. This team is HORSESHIT! WE SUCK! Fire everyone except Ronnie. And trade EVERYONE!
6-4 Thrashers !!!
Fri, 11/27/2009 - 21:49 — esteban1949i couldn't belive what i heard..It sounded as Chuck K discribed as a complete melt down by the whole team in the 3rd period...5 count them 5 unanswered goals...so much for a complete 60 minute game huh ? And the Canes are off to Buffalo ...man, when it rains it pours !! I'm NOT Giving up...just terribly disappointed...
Go Canes ???