Cam Ward knows it's a long-shot but hasn't given up hope — on his team's chances of turning the season around and making the playoffs, on his chances of making the Canadian Olympic team.
Team Canada for the Vancouver Games will be announced Wednesday, and Ward long was considered one of the top goaltending candidates. But that was before his leg laceration Nov. 7, before he posted some very average goaltending numbers during the Canes' struggling, disappointing season.
"I'm sure not getting my hopes up," Ward said today of the announcement. "I know it has been a tough year. I obviously will be looking (Wednesday) and keeping my fingers crossed, but by no means am I holding my breath."
Ward is 4-13-5 this season after the Canes' 4-3 shootout loss Saturday to the Philadelphia Flyers. He allowed two first-period goals as the Canes fell behind 2-0, then a power-play goal by Daniel Briere in the third.
But there also were some sparking saves. In overtime, Ward was on his side as the Flyers' Mike Richards made a nifty move across the crease, dragging the puck. But the goaltender popped up his glove to make a vintage Cam Ward stop.
"I felt good," he said. "Obviously it would have been better to get off to a better start in the first 10 minutes of the first period. But I thought we did a good job of getting it back together.
"For myself it would have been easy to let in two goals in the first 10 minutes and then fall apart, but I tried to fight through it and give my team a chance to win."
Ward was coming off one of his worst starts — being pulled against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday after giving up three goals on their first seven shots.
"It's never fun getting pulled in the first place, much less the first 10 minutes of a hockey game," he said. "But it's how you deal and respond from those situations and I wanted to come back and have a strong performance last night, and for the most part I felt really good. It just continues to be frustrating with the results but if I continue to battle and keep working hard eventually those results will turn in our favor."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
ctill
Mon, 12/28/2009 - 08:04 — esteban1949I understand & respect that. my concerns is and has been how in the last 30 years now like a slow dripping faucet pro athletes are becoming more and more prevelent in the olympic games. As it has become for the IOC the money. As the IOC has been a very very poor steward of what funds they do raise. And again I am NOT against any one being good enough to go and be in the olmpics...but do you remember when Pro athletes were not allowed to be in the games as it would sully and take away from the worlds best who train and compete to be just that the best amateur from all over the globe ? Yes, you call me a purest and the last actual olympics i physically did watch was at montreal,as i had to be there in town so i went.to several of the events,and the biggest "scandal' was there was a rumor when the gold medal winner in the High jump was supposedly to have taken free gifts of new skis ( promotion by the manufacturer) which the athlete was wearing when he won the gold...but like i said...it's just me, getting older and fondly remember when ....thanks ctill...have a good week...Happy New Year !!
The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !!
Go Canes !!
The owners and league
Sun, 12/27/2009 - 23:44 — ctillThe owners and league decided a long time ago that participating in the Olympics was good for the NHL and good for the game. Players seem to like it too.
While i respect
Sun, 12/27/2009 - 23:27 — esteban1949Cam's right as well as other players to try out and possibly make their national teams. But I feel personally that no matter where you were born...If you play for a NHL Team, then that means and I would insist as a coach, but if you play for a team...that takes president over your home or nations team ...so no olympic games for you ..but that is just me...what would I know ?
The Canes are Good,My Grandkids are Better, and Life is Great !!
Go Canes !!