GarageGabs

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

After falling behind 14-0 the Pack rallied for 14 points in the 3rd quarter, only to fall to Clemson, 20-14. All I gotta say is you heard it here first. There was a late turnover involved, as Daniel Evans threw an interception with the Pack trailing 17-14. Clemson turned that into a field goal, leaving the Pack with less than a minute to score a go ahead TD. State came within inches of winning as Chris Dunlap hauled in a 38 yard would be TD pass, but missed getting a foot in bounds by inches.

Pack Pride is teasing this story as “Pack’s Bowl Hopes Dashed By Tigers”.

Please stop saying State had bowl hopes.

 

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!

NC State travels to Clemson today, to take on the Tigers at Noon. PackPride is calling this a “huge conference game for both teams”. YEAH RIGHT! It may be huge for Clemson, but how huge can it be for the 3-6 Wolfpack? Sorry, I’m gonna file this one under the “who cares” category, because I don’t care until Chuck Amato is gone.

Here is a preview for those that do care.

Oh, I guess I can still give a prediction:

NCSU 20

Clemson 31

I predict the Wolfpack will get down early, then battle back to make it an interesting game in the 3rd quarter. Then they will do one or all of the following, which will turn the game over to Clemson.

1. Turn the ball over at least twice

2. Have several false start/offside calls

3. Commit a personal foul

I made it out to the RBC tonight to check out NC State’s 1st official basketball game under new coach Sidney Lowe. Turned out to be quite a game as the Pack had to come back to beat Wofford 92-88.

I took some video with my digital camera and compiled a quick game montage from it. Sorry about the quality, camcorders are not allowed. I got a good bit of game action, including back to back buckets by Gavin Grant to give the Pack a late lead and a critical block by Courtney Fells that helped seal the victory. I also tried to get a lot of the “college atmosphere”, as there is no experience like attending a college game. The bands, chants, cheerleaders, fans, all make for a unique experience.

Game Recap from PackPride

Boxscore

If you want my own analysis of the Wolfpack, click read more- Read more

The NC State mens basketball team opens their regular season tonight against Wofford. I’m going to head out to the RBC and snag a ticket in the parking lot so I can get an idea of how good (or bad) this years team is going to be.

Gameday Preview

I’m gonna go totally out on a limb and pick the score of this game. I believe it will be much closer than most would expect.
Wolfpack 84

Wofford 79

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.