GarageGabs

Ok, this road trip is starting to get away from Carolina.  Tonight, they lost to the Islanders 4-2, despite 44 freakin stops from the backup goalie! The Canes were outshot 48-15 which is pretty scary.  You’re not gonna win many games with that ratio.  So, just when it looked like the Canes had taken a couple steps foward…….they take two steps back.  Funny, how sport sometimes imitates life.
Recap 

Canes start the road trip off on a down note.

Recap 

J.C. and I had the privilege of seeing a fantastic hockey game last night. Eric Staal recorded a hat trick and the Canes picked up a couple late 3rd period goals to defeat the Dallas Stars 5-4.

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Carolina seems to be picking up some steam in November.  Tonight the Canes traveled to Washington and beat the Capitals 4-1.  It was the Canes 4th win in the last 5 games.  (The loss of course was to Buffalo)  Backup goalie John Grahame posted 21 saves to earn his 1st win as a Cane tonight.
A couple things I have been noticing.  Erik Cole and Rod Brind’Amour have really stepped up their games lately.  Cole was involved in every goal tonight (including one of his own) and has  13 points in the last 7 games.  Brindy has been playing well of late also, and has a point in 7 straight games.   Cam Ward has played well (with the Buffalo game being the exception) and was due for the rest he got tonight. Eric Staal seems to be in a bit of a mini-slump.

Injuries: The Canes are super banged up right now, especially on defense.  Anton Babchuck has been starting, and Andrew Hutchinson and David Tanabe have been getting more minutes than I’d like.  (Especially Tanabe).  IF the Canes can keep playing well, they could be in position to make a major move after the return of Cory Stillman, Niclas Wallin and Tim Gleason.  I’m not sure when or if Frank Kaberle is going to return, but it’d be a lift if he were to make it back.

The Canes host the Dallas Stars tomorrow night.  I have tickets, but I’m not 100% sure if I’m going to be able to make it.

Game Recap

The Canes pulled out an ugly win last night with a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers. It was sort of a bittersweet game as several former Canes started for the Rangers. Kevin Weekes started in goal, and Aaron Ward and Matt Cullen both logged decent minutes as defensemen.

It was a very ugly game, the Canes didn’t seem to skate well, and the powerplay seemed terribly unorganized. No matter, it was still a win, and 2 points for the Canes. It is best to take the 2 points and move on.

Goals of the Game (video) via Carolina Hurricanes.com

Recap

Hurricanes 3 Stars of the Game (Video I shot via YouTube)

Well, after the loss to Buffalo last night I started cruising around YouTube, checking out all the Buffalo Sabre fan videos. Seriously, read some of the comments. So much complaining, calling themselves “the real champions” (because of their injuries) and making derogatory comments towards Carolina fans. Then of course, they are relishing their regular season success this year.

Just made me want to go back, and look at this:

I also have a couple of videos from the finals:

Game 7 Highlights 

Justin Williams Clincher

As a Carolina Hurricanes fan, I’m starting to develop an inferiority complex in regard to the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo, the hottest team in the NHL, beat the Canes 7-4 last night. That makes Buffalo 3 for 3(twice on our own ice) against the Canes this season. This, after a grueling 7 game series in the Eastern Conference Finals last year where the Canes were able to knock off an injury riddled Buffalo squad.

I was able to attend the game last night, and things were not all that much different from last years playoffs…..what I mean by that is, there was a large contingent of Sabre fans in the stands. As usual, this contingent was very vocal. I’m not sure if they just travel well, (which I believe was the case in the playoffs last year) or we just have a lot of relocated Buffalo natives living in the Raleigh area. I applaude Sabre fans for traveling so well, they are a pretty irritating bunch so kudos to them.

I also have to admit that Buffalo is a better team than Carolina right now. In building a 3-0 first period lead last night they just seemed to be the more aggressive team. They skated faster, hit harder, and just always seemed to have an uncovered man in front of the net (or in the net). Maybe a small part of this could be attributed to some rather ticky tack calls in the 1st period, but fact of the matter is Buffalo only got one power play goal in the 1st period. (Despite 3 chances)

Carolina was able to skate hard in the 2nd (scoring 2 goals) and then tie things up in the 3rd. Didn’t matter, they gave up an easy Buffalo goal less than a minute later, off of a face off. Buffalo then went on a scoring spree, before finally winning 7-4.

So, like I mentioned…..they are the better team now. I honestly believe they are going to be the team to beat in the East. Carolina is getting better. Stillman will be back soon. The new guys are fitting in well. We have played with a lot of injuries, especially to our defensemen (sound like a Buffalo excuse?). Come playoff time, I see another 7 game series from these two teams.

Recap

 

The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 tonight. I couldn’t make the game, but I’ll be there Monday for hated Buffalo. Carolina is playing some really good hockey lately, can’t wait for Monday night.

Recap via CarolinaHurricanes.com

Video- Goals of the Game

 

Carolina will host Pittsburgh, tonight at 7 pm.  Unfortunately, I will not be attending this game, I sold my tickets to a friend.  I’ve had enough games the past couple of days anyway. 

Instead, I will be attending a local play that my girlfriend is participating in (true story)

Despite my absence, I’ll still include a preview.

 On a side, more personal note, I’m not a big fan of the Penguins.  They busted up Eric Cole last year (broke his back on an illegal hit) and SERIOUSLY concussed Letowski earlier this year.  So, here’s to hoping we give em some red ice (video warning) tonight.  Go Canes!

The Hurricanes were on their game last night as they shutout the Washington Capitals 5-0. Cam Ward posted his first career regular season shutout, and Eric Cole tallied a hat trick. I was able to attend last nights game along with my good friend Jonathan.

Recap

Goals of the game video

Video from my section (328). A Family Affair. Gives you an idea of the closeness you get from sitting with the same people game in and game out.