Two games in, an old atmosphere
Too soon? Too early? Not at all.
After watching the first two games of the Hurricanes' season, it can be said that this team is showing the same kind of character it did to open the 2005-06 season.
The defense has been shaky at times, the goaltending has let in a questionable goal or three and Rod Brind'Amour continues to contribute at something considerably less than full strength.
But the comeback from two goals down on Friday (and subsequent fight after the Canes gave up that hard-fought 3-2 lead) and the overtime win Saturday after they fell down 3-0 were both the kind of rallies characteristic of the Stanley Cup team, which produced 10 wins when the Hurricanes were down two goals.
After the way this team has played the past two seasons, it may be a sign that the fire is back. And with a good start absolutely paramount for this team, it's the right way to begin what figures to be a long, tiring October full of road games.
It's too soon and too early to say that this team can be as good as that team, or make any other comparisons. But it's not too soon or too early to say this team is playing with the same mentality and demonstrating the same heart as that team.
Now, the challenge is making it last -- or not getting down two goals in the first place.
Luke DeCock
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
After two games, the
Mon, 10/13/2008 - 13:29 — caneshockeyfanAfter two games, the optimist in me is reminded of the Stanley Cup year. The pessimist in me sees competitive wins over what may turn out to be the two worst teams in the NHL.
So, I'm with JRs_Fault and esteban1949 - two games doesn't tell us much. Yes, they were fun to watch, but let's not get caught up in it. We need to wrap this post up in pretty paper and open it at Xmas.
Too early & Too Soon
Mon, 10/13/2008 - 11:15 — esteban1949While the charactor of this team has displayed the never say die attitude that the 05-06 cup team had, but as it has been pointed out...this is a different team and year...so all of us micro wave instant this or that popcorn lovers will just have to wait...be patient...and like a drunk trying to stay clean and sober...takes it one day...as in this case..one game at a time...but we ficle fans do expect alot these days...don't we ?
Go Canes !
Too soon
Mon, 10/13/2008 - 10:42 — JRs_FaultI had these same feelings last year during October about the team looking like '05-06 again (probably even more so, and Cam was playing well, too). But the skid leading up to the all-star break put a damper on that... here's hoping this year is different... these have been fun games to watch!
The key will be if they can sustain it through the dark days of winter... the '05-06 team lost what, 1 game in January?? And the more balanced schedule may play against them this year too... it certainly looks like TB is going to be cannon fodder this year based on their displays against the Rangers & Canes thus far.