And so it ends
For Craig Adams, of all people, who never scored a playoff goal in 29 appearances with the Hurricanes, to put the final stamp on the sweep with his second of the series — that only made it sting all the more.
But the sting of this sweep will fade with time, and what the Hurricanes will remember is not the 4-1 loss that ended the series Tuesday but the remarkable run down the stretch that got them into the playoffs, and what they did once they got there.
“That’s going to take some time,” said Eric Staal, who answered the call Tuesday and played his best game of the series. “This hurts. It doesn’t feel good, especially being swept in the third round. That’s never nice. It just doesn’t feel nice right now.”
Against the New Jersey Devils, they bounced back from a Game 5 shutout to post a resounding Game 6 win before producing an improbable, final-minutes comeback in Game 7 to win a series decided on luck, breaks, courage and guile.
Against the Boston Bruins, they outdueled a good team that played its best hockey when it mattered most, then left it to be decided in Game 7, in overtime no less, on a goal by Scott Walker, whose burdens went far beyond what anyone outside the team knew at the time.
It took an enormous amount of emotion and energy to get this far. Against the Penguins, the Hurricanes were tapped out. The Hurricanes lost control in Game 1 and never regained their edge. The sweep was ignoble, but not undeserved the way the Penguins played.
“I don’t think we had a lot left in the tank, to be honest with you,” Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said. “We had gone to the well a lot of times. We’d spent a lot to get here and earned the right to be here.”
We’ll hear now about the injuries that were kept quiet, from Ray Whitney’s broken finger to Cam Ward’s back to whatever was slowing Erik Cole, not to mention the ones that were even deeper secrets.
We’ll wonder now about the offseason, and what the Hurricanes will do about Cole and Chad LaRose and Tuomo Ruutu and Jussi Jokinen and Ryan Bayda and Dennis Seidenberg and Anton Babchuk (guessing: gone, back, back, back, back, gone, gone).
(We’ll further wonder whether they can find a playmaking left wing for Staal, and whether anyone will take Patrick Eaves and his $1.4 million for two more years off their hands, and whether Maurice or Ron Francis will be coaching the team next season.)
We’ll marvel at how rebuilding the defense is once again the top item on the offseason agenda after the Penguins made just about everyone on the Carolina blue line look foolish — and while some of that can be attributed to Pittsburgh’s talent, not all of it can.
We’ll rest secure in the knowledge that Staal and Cam Ward are the franchise players the Hurricanes hoped they would be — gambled they would be, really — and wait to see if Zach Boychuk, Drayson Bowman, Brandon Sutter and Jamie McBain are the complimentary parts they need.
We’ll bet, right now, that with a full offseason to prepare (instead of one spent recovering from knee surgery), Rod Brind’Amour will be a Selke Trophy candidate again next season.
And we’ll see if the Hurricanes can dodge the post-postseason curse that has afflicted them and make it back to the playoffs next season.
Either way, we know this: What the Hurricanes accomplished this season does them credit, and when the hurt and frustration and anger subside, they'll be left with one overriding emotion: pride.
About the blogger
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or luke.decock@newsobserver.com.
Comments
Stay Classy
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 11:23 — HarpoonTheWhaleHe was PUKIN'.....and it was GREEN!!!
Hey Mr Engineer77, maybe you
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 12:35 — mokimanoHey Mr Engineer77, maybe you should stick to watching basketball...Brookbank was traded months ago and is not even on the team...lucky to get by the Devils??? Injury riddled Bruins...LOL, they had the full complement of their roster in place for the entire series...9 unrestricted free agents on the Canes??? You must have failed counting class or did not take off your shoes and socks to finish your counting...your post is so full of inaccuracies that your either a lingering, angry Devil fan or Bruin fan still out on the ledge...one thing is certain, your not a Canes fan...just another angry, unhappy nobody that likes to rant and rave on a message board. Next time you decide to comment on something, at least get your facts right!!!!
Enough with the "class" comments
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 12:01 — SillyRabbitIf I have to hear one more lame Canes or Pens fan talk about "class" or staying "classy", I'm going to throw up.
PENGUINS AND CANES
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 11:05 — abramsdougCongratulations to the Penguins. They showed they deserved to be in the Stanley Cup Finals. Even as I watched them make the Hurricanes look foolish at times trying to defend them, I had to admire their talent and drive. The Hurricanes team has much to be proud of and as long as the core of the team remains intact, there is no reason why the Hurricanes can't compete with teams like the Penguins. I hope Malkin, Crosby, and the Penguins win the Stanley Cup this Year; and I'll look forward to next year and the chance to see if the Hurricanes can be more competitive against the Penguins.
Congrats to the classy Pens fans here.
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 08:42 — HockeydogAnd to the rest;
http://www.pittsburghsource.net/articles/pittsburgh-slang/
The Pens have a killer offense, solid steady blueliners who play smart hockey and a tremendous goalie. Both teams were in a similar position after the all star break and both teams had to play "playoff" hockey long before the season ended to get to where they both ended up. One just had more punch when it mattered. The Pens played a smart game, didn't panic with the puck and made the Canes pay dearly when they turned the puck over. They got great goaltending.
Thank you Hurricanes for a great season. You turned it around when it looked like another April without playoff hockey and pulled off two very exciting playoff round victories. In September I might have predicted the Canes make the playoffs, maybe win a round and lose in the 2nd round. That would have been a good season IMO.
Carolina = Class
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 08:04 — SteeleagleNo matter what it is, sports, or just a lifestyle, North Carolina sets the example on what class is all about. Congratulations to the Canes for a great season after being on the outside looking in the last few years. The Canes never quit in this series and the games were all closer than the final score mostly showed. You fans should all hold your heads up for being their until the end and even at the end show how class you were by cheering the pens for their play. Some of the posters on this site, that I have read from my native Pittsburgh over the last week or so can take a lesson from you people.
I'm baffled at the excuses...
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 06:01 — dan_canesI read the interviews and I am left shaking my head at some of what comes out of the mouths of our supposed leaders. Maurice says, "“I don’t think we had a lot left in the tank, to be honest with you. We had gone to the well a lot of times. We’d spent a lot to get here and earned the right to be here.”
Really? I'm not buying it. Yes, the Canes had an emotional season and two emotional series. Last I checked, though, so did the Pens. They had to battle to get into the playoffs just as hard as the Canes did, if not more so because they started further down. Then, they started out with an extremely physical series against their most hated rivals, the Flyers, followed up by a 7 game series against the Capitals and Ovechkin. Those weren't emotionally taxing series for them? And yet they came in and played with enthusiasm from the first shift of every game.
The only differences between the process to get here was that the Pens played ONE fewer game. One. That's it. Oh, yeah, and the Canes didn't play a hated rival in either of the first two series. So the Pens had more of an excuse to be "tapped out" as Luke gives the Canes a pass for being. And ONE game? If playing 14 instead of 13 cost the Canes the series...well, that's just pathetic.
Let's drop the excuses and maybe we'll get better. Otherwise, we're just fooling ourselves.
4 Down - 0 to Go
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 05:45 — Engineer77The series that was a waste of air time is finally over. As was said from game 1, the Canes didn’t even deserve to be in this series. They were lucky to get by the Devils and then had to take a half-hearted, injury decimated Bruins to 7 games.
The luck and cheap shot artistry (note Walker in the previous series and the 2nd embarrassing attempt by LaRose that resulted in a justified 5 on 3 last game) have run out.
The only bright spots: Ward and Gleason…not perfect, but significantly above average. Eric Staal…too little, too late, and too easy to shut down.
Next is the dreaded “R” word…Rebuild. 9 urestricted free agents under an as of yet unannounced salary cap will mean unloading one or more of: LaRose, Seidenberg, Cole, Brookbank, plus other less noteables. A fight for a playoff spot will be the best hope next season.
At least there's college basketball.
Nice research
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 15:46 — biggssalvatore1st, Brookbank doesn't play for the Canes, he was traded.
2nd, of those "9 UFAs" you are also including Dan LaCouture (defected from the AHL to the KHL last fall), David Tanabe (retired-injured and bought out), and Josef Melichar (also traded). The only UFAs of concern are LaRose, Cole and Seidenberg.
When it comes to Pittsburgh, there were 9 UFAs dressed last night. And they have 47M committed against the cap for next year, which is gonna be lower than this year. Good luck in the finals. This team as you know it will not be together again next year.
Thank you Canes
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:21 — LainiencLuke, nicely written. Thought I was at peace with the season being over but then read this and the tears came. I'm so thankful and proud of this team; their stalwart, palpable effort this season, and what they've accomplished against the odds. I wish there was a way for the Canes to know how much fun and happiness they bring to the lives of their fans. For me they are a joy, a social opportunity, a coping mechanism, and a salve for life's tests. I've met so many wonderful friends because of Hurricanes hockey. This run was nothing short of spectacular and I'll cherish the memories of this season for a very long time.
Thank you Luke for your wonderful coverage of this team from articles, to live blogs. It's greatly enhanced the fun. Still hoping you write a book some day. ;-)
Go Canes !
Tripp Tracy and 850 "The Buzz" and 620
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:12 — brockmarionTwo stations, no CUP. Well, maybe a Dixie Cup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGEnKh0ocb0
You stay classy,
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 05:27 — acidqueenYou stay classy, Pittsburgh.
Go back to the Pensblog with your fellow toolbags.
..
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:18 — irbefanDumb
RBC Center
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:11 — brockmarionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGEnKh0ocb0
..
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:18 — irbefanDumber
Caniac Nation
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:10 — brockmarionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGEnKh0ocb0
From what I saw the Caniac
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:20 — irbefanFrom what I saw the Caniac nation was loud and proud about what our team had done this season. Which game were you watching? We even clapped for the Penguins. Dumb.
I-40 Raleigh
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:10 — brockmarionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGEnKh0ocb0
..
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:21 — irbefanJust when I thought it couldn't get dumber....
Go watch Andy Griffth,
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 01:27 — brockmarionGo watch Andy Griffth, hillbilly. You and Tripp can talk about the syndicated eps, cause you won't have any hockey to watch, unless it's the Pens in the Cup Finals! Dumb and Dumber, probably your favorite movie.
Ha, I used to love that
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 11:46 — irbefanHa, I used to love that show when I was a kid (insert catchy whistling theme here). As for the hilbilly remark, I don't quite get why you think that everyone in NC has a collective total of 100 teeth and fill up all the NASCAR stadiums. True story time...my fiance is conserned because my family (most of whom were born and raised in NC) has to meet her family (all of whom were born in and around Pittsburgh) because they are complete hicks and one is a 300+ pound guy with no more than 15 teeth named Elmer. If you thought that was bad, he has a slightly thinner son with a bit more hair and teeth named.....wait for it.....Elmer Jr. haha. Now I know not all of Pittsburgh resisdents are hillbillys but it just goes to show you that there are hicks and rednecks everywhere.
Why would Dumb and Dumber being my favorite movie be an insult? It's an ok movie, not my favorite, but I don't see your point. I'm sure Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey are feeling the pain.
classy canes
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 00:10 — brockmarionI love hearing the Caniacs pontificate about how their fans and organization are so classy. Yeah. So classy in fact that they don't even allow comments on the main storyline after their team gets a beatdown. Way to take the loss N & O and Caniac nation. Well, as I thought, here's what we're hearing now from your classy fan base and organization:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGEnKh0ocb0
We are lucky to have such a
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 23:57 — James_We are lucky to have such a great beat writer in Mr. Decock, no offense to the others, but he really understands the game and team better than most.
It was a great run, you could see the frustration from the Canes during the end, but no one expected them to be where they are. After crafting another beautiful class team full of underrated talent and heart, Mr. Rutherford (who should easily win GM of the year, though we know he won't) has to get back at it all over again. The only way Cole stays is a huge hometown discount, and keeping Larose, Jokinen, AND Ruutu should be a tough enough task. We are the luckiest fans in the NHL to have a GM who can find the hidden gems on such a tight budget, and though he is criticized for nearly every move, almost all of them pan out. Who would have thought? -Gleason, Ruutu, Larose, Jokinen, Samsonov, Maurice and Cole, the list is goes on...
Well Said
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 23:05 — uneksijaWell said, Luke. As despondent as the team is tonight, and as much as they feel they fell short in this season's quest, they overreached, overachieved, and exceeded my wildest expectations. I'm sad that this wonderful run is now over, but at the same time I couldn't be prouder of what they have accomplished.
Great Season..No complaints
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 22:57 — gmwannabeeI think the players AND fans were exhausted. Pittsburgh is a great team..good teams force you to make mistakes.
I was glad Maurice came back. I think he along with Francis and Roe did a great job. I still feel even after all the years they have been in NC...they need a reliable back up goalie. Ward was it under gerber. I say bring peters in next season..and give him some work. That is My ONLY complaint over the years as I think we have one of the best GM's in Rutherford. We just need a good young goalie to get minutes to give ward a breather and not casting a back up aside after a loss. I would have pulled ward in this series for a period or two to let him clear his mind..if we had a reliable back up. I say bring in 1 or 2 D-Men from Albany...rodney, mcbain, Borer to fight it out. We need a few bigger forwards maybe thru FA. I enjoy the off season just as much to see what happens to the roster.
Great season...beating NJ and Boston makes me forget what happened in round three.
It will be interesting..
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 22:38 — louis12580To see what the brain trust does. First and foremost will be the coaching situation. Does Mo come back for one more year? Do they see if Ron wants the job? I think that Chad, Tuomo, and Jussi will be here next season. I have my doubts about Bayda. What will they do on the blue line? Does Nic walk away and retire? What about Kaberle? Do they fine a trading partner, or does he walk away as well? Anton's play was much better this year, but he is still a work in progress defensively. As fans, we should all be proud of what this team accomplished, especially after the start they got off to. Beating the Devils and Bruins was a great feat. The players just seemed to have little in the tank. Too many mental lapses in their own zone, some caused my fatigue, some by Pittsburgh not letting up. Thank you 'Canes for all you have done on the ice and especially off the ice. We are all thankful to have you as part of the community