“Tell her it’s not bad like last time.”

The entire Caniac nation collectively held its breathe last night during the game vs. the Panthers. It had nothing to do with a goal. Nothing to do with a diving penalty. I don't think anyone remembered there was a game to be played. Most people are familiar with Erik Cole's injury that took place in March of '06. Brooks Orpik hit Cole from behind into the boards, and hard too. Even though Cole skated off the ice that day, he suffered a fractured vertebra. Most people remember holding their breathe during game 6 of the 2006 Stanley Cup finals when Cole first came back from that injury. Most Caniacs still fall silent any time Cole takes a hit.

Last night was a real test for our breath-holding skills. Cole was trying to outskate one of the Panthers to get a breakaway on Vokoun with the game tied at 3-3. Cole was held up and I watched as #26's feet came out from under him and he went headfirst into Vokoun and laid face-first on the ice.
It is a really helpless feeling when you have to sit there and all you can do is plead with Erik Cole through the TV to get up, unsuccessfully I might add.
Apparently he first told Vokoun that his neck was hurting him and just kept repeating that to him as Vokoun called the trainers over to the ice.
After 10 minutes or so, he was wheeled off on a stretcher to the standing ovation of 12,000 or so Panthers fans and the tapping of both teams' sticks. When asked if he wanted someone to call his wife he told them, “Tell her it’s not bad like last time.” He later said that as he was rolled under the scoreboard his only thought was "No Penalty?! Get serious."

The 'Canes played 8 minutes of grit hockey and Cory Stillman scored his second of the night to make the final score 4-3.

At about 12am it was released that Cole's CAT scan had come out negative for any injury to his neck and he was clear to fly to Tampa Bay with the team, who had postponed their flight until their teammate could rejoin them.
Cole is getting other tests done today and he will have to have them cleared by the medical staff here in NC before he is allowed to play again.
My guess is that as long as he is cleared by the medical staff here, we will see him back on the ice for Friday night's home game against the Thrashers.

*I want to post a special thanks to the fans from many of our rivalry teams for extending their wishes for Cole and his family. All of the thoughts and prayers were greatly appreciated!

Let's go Canes!

Our team. Our Tradition.

The Canes (finally) unveiled our new RBK jerseys for the 2007-2008 season. They also showed off the 10th anniversary patches that the players will be wearing this season. As is obvious in the photos, the only real change to our sweater is that there is white piping along the shoulders on the jersey. On the away sweaters the piping will be red. Also, "Our team. Our tradition." is the new marketing slogan we will be using this year.

Cullen to Canes Challenge - Prove That I Didn’t Nail It First!

Maybe it’s a case of petty-pomposity, or maybe I just have nothing better to do with my time. But my July 9 blog (at another site) was the first written occurrence in the hockey world to speculate on the Rangers trading Cullen back to Carolina.

Click Here to See the First Written Mention of This Trade:

It wasn’t a case of sudden, brilliant prognosticating. Instead it was a simple case of putting 2 and 2 together (No I’m not cloning Brian Leetch, bringing them out of retirement and pairing them with each other). It was reported that Carolina was looking for a third line center, and with the Rangers tight to the cap and having recently acquired Gomez and Drury, Cullen’s expendability and recent history with the Canes seemed to make this one obvious. Within a couple of days of July 9, this trade was being speculated everywhere. But on July 9, it was only “moi”.

The Challenge: If anyone can produce concrete evidence that this trade was publicly mentioned in writing before my post on July 9 at 4:06 PM Eastern Time, then I will owe you a bag of pucks. Not much I admit, but I’m just an unpaid, volunteer blog writer. If by some miracle you do win this challenge, hit up Matt Cullen and his $2.8 million a year contract for a grander prize. Besides, humiliating a Rangers fan in public should be reward enough for any of you.

The Secrets Revealed: While we’re at it, here is another chance for you to learn about why the Rangers seem to be able to maintain a mysterious defiance of the salary cap, while also holding an iron grip on Russian Hockey fans. This tale of intrigue includes a mystical Russian man and suggests an underground pipeline of dubious double dealing that flows from Russia to the Rangers Management - and all the way to the National Hockey League Headquarters.

Click Here to Uncover The Truth About All the Above-Mentioned Secrets:

I'm sorry but 3 comments just were not enough.

Cullen Back to Canes

According to TSN.

In a move that surprised absolutely nobody, the Carolina Hurricanes have re-acquired Matt Cullen from the New York Rangers for two stiffs and a 3rd round pick. Maybe the Rangers intend to get under the cap after all!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Cullen profess that he'd prefer to stay in NY?

Lies, damn lies!!! So, is this just a classic case of the hot girl dumping the nice guy after he dumped his original girlfriend? Or could it be that Cullen has been so thoroughly programmed with cliches like everybody else in the NHL that he honestly didn't believe he could be traded to a team that might actually want him?

I'm the new girl

Hello to everyone out there!
Katy here and I am a student in Raleigh studying music, so that takes up my time when I am not at a game. I will be keeping up with the news coming out of the Caniac Nation. Yes, redneck hockey news for all! I attend many practices during the season, attend as many games as I can, and watch the rest of them on TV, so I stay up to date with all of the happenings with the Hurricanes.
I was very impressed with BBeR during the Free Agent "frenzy." I was very excited when I was asked to join on as a blogger for the Canes and I think I have a lot to offer.
You probably won't see me discuss the financial side of hockey too much, because it is quite confusing to me but I am pretty well rounded in all other areas of hockey.
Feel free to email me at kyanacek@peace.edu if you want to share some news or want to talk hockey. I am always up for hearing from hockey fans, no matter what team you cheer for!

-Katy

Walker, Rivet and Horton off the market, Emery to have surgery...

The Florida Panthers have re-signed restricted free-agent forward Nathan Horton.

The deal will pay out a total of $24 million to the 22-year old over 6 seasons.

The signing, per TSN, officially ends all speculation that Horton will be dealt at tomorrow's NHL Entry Draft in Columbus.

Horton had a spectacular season at such a young age, ammasing 31 goals and putting up 31 assists while appearing in all 82 games.

A star on the rise, Horton's season was awesome on the scoresheet, but some off-ice rumours a few months before the deadline, which consisted of Horton's unhappiness in the Sunshine State and his desire to be dealt to a contender, prompted speculation he would be dealt at the trade deadline (didn't happen) or at the draft.

-Craig Rivet really like the weather in Western California, and he's going to be there for another 4 seasons.

The Sharks officially signed their hard-hitting defenceman to a 4-year $14 million contract, a potential UFA, Rivet fit in well with the Sharks and broke out in the playoffs as the team's leading defenceman.

Rivet was traded to San Jose on the eve of the trade deadline, in exchange for Josh Gorges and the Shark's 1st round draft choice (23rd overall)

-The Hurricanes also re-signed forward Scott Walker to a 3-year $7.5 million contract, yesterday.

That comes out to about $2.5 million per season.

The 33-year old was eligible for UFA status on July 1st; he had a decent season in Carolina, but nothing compared to his old Nashville days, scoring 21 goals and adding 31 helpers in 81 games.

"Keeping Scott in Carolina was one of our top priorities this off-season," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement. "He brings skill and grit to our forward lines and he has become one of our team's leaders on and off the ice."

"It was one of the best experiences that I had in renegotiating. I felt really wanted," Walker said. "I like my role, but I also like the way the team is set up for the future, and I think we have a chance to win."

-And to top this transaction segment off, goaltender Ray Emery will undergo surgery for his wrist, which he hurt in November and re-aggravated in the playoffs.

He is not expected to miss the beginning of the regular-season, TSN says he will be out 2-3 months.

Emery, a restricted free-agent, made 925K last year and will likely seek a substantial raise from new Sens GM Bryan Murray, Emery's agent was quoted on TSN's Off the Record with Michael Landsberg that his client might receive an offer sheet soon, and that many teams would be interested in doing so, especially 2-3 teams that he obviously didn't name.

--BBR

Just a few quick notes...

Before I watch the Preds and Sharks on TSN, here's a few headlines that made way in the last few hours:

-Ray Whitney has signed a 3-year $10.5 million contract extension with the Hurricanes.
Whitney's having a good season and he was set to be a UFA this summer.
-Johan Hedberg will start for the Thrashers in Game Two of the Thrash-Rangers series tomorrow, he will replace Kari Lehtonen who allowed 4 goals on 38 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Rangers in Game 1 and the 4th goal the Rangers scored won't be forgotten, and it wasn't by his coach, Bob Hartley.
Hedberg has playoff experiece and he is apparently very respected in the dressing room.

Just about to go...check out the Sharks and Predators on TSN, should be a good game and if you can, Anaheim vs. Minny much later on TSN (10:30 PM).
Vancouver's playing at 9:00 PM instead of 10:00 tonight against the Dallas Stars at General Motors Place.
Brent Sopel, after hurting his back while trying to pick up a cracker, will play; Matt Cooke won't.
Jeff Cowan will play with Markus Naslund and Yannick Hansen will make his NHL debut.
These guys have already played 7 periods in total, man they must be tired, it's like as if they played 2 games in one day.

7 teams fighting for 3 spots...

The Hurricanes and Islanders have fallen (make that) 4 points out of the final spot...7 teams are fighting for a playoff spot.

With the Canadiens, Islanders, Maple Leafs, Rangers and Lightning in action tonight, the playoff barely got clearer and it looks like we're gonna see it all go down to the wire folks!
The Canes are failing and their schedule isn't very easy till the end of the season...the Islanders won't go anywhere without Rick DiPietro...

• The Canadiens held on to beat the East-leading Buffalo Sabres, 4-3.

Michael Ryder, Radek Bonk, Maxim Lapierre and Saku Koivu all scored for the Canadiens and Jaroslav Halak, winning his 6th of his last 7 starts, made 22 saves.
The Sabres got to the Habs first, Daniel Briere became the first player since Pat LaFontaine to surpass the 90-point mark for the Sabres, scoring 9:20 into the first frame.

Michael Ryder responded with a trickle through-the-legs goal on backup goalie Ty Conklin, who got the start over the tired Ryan Miller and did not impress me at all as he allowed 4 goals on 19 shots.

Dainius Zubrus, who indicated he might be interested in coming back to Montreal as a free-agent this summer provided the Sabres with their 3rd goal and that was where the line was drawn for Lindy Ruff's club.

The game was nearly penalty free, with both teams getting only 2 powerplay opportunities and both going 0-fer with the extra man tonight...4 of the Canadiens 5 goals were assisted by defenceman (the lone attacker to get a helper tonight was Alex Kovalev, who was blanked for the second straight game after scoring two 2-goal games in a row against the Rangers and Capitals) namely Janne Niinimaa, only his 3rd point of the season, Andrei Markov, Francis Bouillon, who shot the puck that was tipped in by Michael Ryder in the first period, and Mark Streit (well, he is a d-man playing forward...)

The Canadiens have won 5 of their last 6 games and things are looking mighty good after tonight's win over the Sabres, the chemistry is very good, the team is focused, they know what's at stake...Jaroslav Halak made a few very good saves, but...Cristobal Huet is coming back in a few days and is the dream over for the young Slovakian netminder?

He's played great and all, but his last 3 starts (he's allowed 11 goals) are a worrisome indication...and you know what else? Everyone's making a HUGE deal out of Halak winning 5 in a row and not how the Canadiens have won 5 in a row.
You know? Hockey c'est un team sport.

He had a 1.33 GAA last week and was named the NHL's third star, he deserved it, he played awesome...and I shudder to think how it'd ruin his confidence if he was sent down.

Or maybe I'm exaggerating at the 11 goal stat and just sore that Cristobal Huet still isn't cleared to play...I really don't know how Gainey will go along with this.
Aebischer you ask? Screw 'im...

• Wow! The Leafs beat the Penguins

It's desperation time for Paul Maurice's squad now, the Leafs know that margin for error in their upcoming stretch is little to none.
After a sad 3-2 overtime loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, Paul Maurice promised his team would be ready for tonight's game.

They sure were: my NHL.com scoreboard read 4-1 Leafs at some point in the second period, and I was like: "Wow!".
Another "wow" goes to Tomas Kaberle, who scored his team's 3rd goal in the second period and flashed "clutch" by potting the game-winner in extra innings just as Bob Cole exploded.

A "wow" to the Penguins also, who rallied from a 3 goal deficit to tie the game and send it to overtime. Sidney Crosby gets a goal to further add to his scoring lead over the Sharks' Joe Thornton...just as all was said and done and Harry Neale put away his broadcasting equipment, Ryan Whitney ties the game with 4 seconds to go!

I think that deserves a "wow" too.

Andrew Raycroft made 32 saves and Leafs TV made a horrible choice for the 3 stars, putting in Pavel Kubina as the 3rd (he had only one assist on the Kaberle goal in overtime), simply ignoring Kyle Wellwood's 3 helpers.

Jocelyn Thibault was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 20 shots and that likely spells the end of the veteran goalie's attempt to win over Michel Therrien's heart and be the Pens' number one guy come playoff time. Marc-Andre Fleury relieved the latter about half-way through the game and made 16 saves.

• 
  
  THANK YOU OTTAWA!

And I'm saying those words after the Scotia bankers beat the Habs last night...and they repaid me nicely, but not entirely, by knocking the Islanders even further on their rear end.
Victor Kozlov and the revived Marc-Andre Bergeron scored the only 2 goals for the Isle, who lost for the second time in as many nights and in that span being outscored 11-6.
Mike Dunham simply isn't getting it done for the Islanders, so Ted Nolan goes to minor-league goalie Wade Dubielewicz and the result was astonishing.

I don't think the likes of Tom Poti, Brendan Witt, Chris Campoli, Bruno Gervais, Sean Hill and Marc-Andre Bergeron were there tonight.

They allowed 46 shots on goal and Dubielewicz did the best he could, pushing away 42 of those shots and keeping his team in the game as long as he could...you don't win games by allowing the double of your shots on goal and scoring only twice.

Mike Comrie scored twice, Christoph Schubert, the defenceman/forward put in his 8th and Dany Heatley is 2 goals away from yet another 50-goal season after scoring late in the 3rd to put the game entirely out of reach.

Dean McCammond scored his 14th and Martin Gerber got the start in goal.

• The Flyers can't upset this time..

The Flyers closed some mouths a few days ago by beating Peter Laviolette's awe-strucken Hurricanes team 5-1.
Tonight was a different story, well, it was the same story entering the game: A nothing to lose team trying to ruin a team's chances of making a run at Lord Stanley's Cup.
Final score: 6-4, not bad, the Rangers didn't exactly coast through this one.

Jaromir Jagr, the shadow of last season's version of himself, scored twice for Big Apple, Martin Straka, Tomas Pock, Ryan Callahan and Peter Prucha scored the others.
Jagr also added an assit, as well as Martin Straka (he had 2).

Michael Nylander added 2 assists and Sean Avery stayed out of the penalty box.
For the Flyers now...the 23rd overall pick by the 'Yotes back in '02, Ben Eager, scored his 5th and 6th goals of the season and Braydon Coburn, the young defenceman acquired from Atlanta for Alexei Zhitnik, scored only his 3rd and Ryan Potulny potted his 6th of the season. Simon Gagne was also on the scoresheet with 2 assists...
Martin Biron was pulled from the Flyers' goal after giving in to 5 Rangers' goal on 22 shots, Antero Niittymaki made 11 saves out of a possible 12.

The Ligtning still alive...

After beating out on the Canes 4-2 last night, the Lightning had an easy opponent in the Washington Capitals and the score proved it once again: 5-2 Lightning.

The league-leader in goals, Vincent Lecavalier, scored his 51st of the season while quebecois Martin St. Louis added his 43rd.

Lecavalier also added his 54th and 55th assists as he continues his career season...
Jason Ward, Dan Boyle and Ryan Craig scored the other 3 Tampa goals...Cory Sarich got his 14th and 15th assists.

The Lightning still hold a 2-point lead over the 8th place Canadiens and a one point lead over the Rangers...

Yawn...good night!

Oh, and on a side note, the Panthers are still winning and they have not lost hope yet...but, with barely 5 games to go for the season and a 4 point deficit, barring any *ouches wood* Habs losing streak, the Cats are probably out.

Kronwall's injury is more serious than expected, he'll miss 6-8 weeks of action and that possibly means the entire playoffs. HUGE blow for this Wings team, Kronwall is a fine puck-moving defenceman but I think Andreas Lilja can compensate for this loss.
This is the third major injury of Kronwall's 3 season career (knee surgery, broken leg...)
And he didn't strain his hip, he BROKE his sacrum, which is a "large triangular bone at the base of the back" (Hat tip to Wikipedia).
Yow! That's gotta hurt.

And here's something for you to sleep...or wake up on:

Why Grahame is no longer on my Christmas List

The Carolina Hurricanes are still in the hunt to extend their season thanks to the 3rd period save by Cam Ward.

That's right, Johnny Grahame maybe a great guy in the locker room but letting in 3 goals on 6 shots is not going to win games.

Overshadowing the great defensive play of the Hurricanes who out shot the Caps 39 to 10 last night was the not so great defensive play of Grahame. Now I understand he is a backup goaltender and I understand that he has had some pretty good games for us but letting in 3 goals on 6 shots is bad. Really, really bad. He did have one amazing save, which miraculously enough was the only decent shot the Caps had on net. It was the "he should have stopped those" that went in.

Eric Staal ended a scoring drought with a goal, Mike Commodore had a beauty of a SHG and Ladd continued his dominance of the Caps with a goal. Not only was the defense clicking last night - the power play finally produced with Erik Cole scoring at the end of the 2nd period.

Having won 4 of the last 6 games, the Canes are clearing in the hunt to keep playing come mid April. I've already started cleaning the dust off the grill and stocking up on beer, BBQ and chips for some good ole' Canes Tailgating in light of the Canes recent play. They are really starting to look like the players we grew to love last season. Now we just need the beards to start coming in.

Thursday NHL Morning Roundup...

NHL Scores Wrapup for Wednesday March 21st, 2007
Washington 2 at Buffalo 5
Philadelphia 0 at NY Rangers 5
San Jose 4 at Chicago 1
Colorado 5 at Edmonton 1
Nashville 0 at Vancouver 2
Dallas 4 at Los Angeles 2

Eastern Conference Standings

-Wow, this looks like it'll go down to the wire! A week ago, I thought the Islanders were all but out, but lookie now, they're sitting in 11th place! Ryan Smyth isn't the force he was in Edmonton and Alexei Yashin's now the line 4 centre...Ted Nolan better get his team's act together, this is not time for a team to go into a slump.

-There are some easy matchups for some East teams tonight...the Habs are in Boston to play the sulking Bruins, the 'Canes are playing the Caps, who lost to the Sabres on TSN yesterday and the Sens are facing the Panthers, although Jacques Martin's squad just refuses to lose!

-Some not in favour are the Isles-Penguins matchup, hopefully the Pens will beat them so the Habs can move up...the Penguins are really a true comeback story, I could only laugh when I heard their name be mentioned a few months ago, but not anymore, they are now legitimate contenders, and in the same position my Habs were 2 and a half months ago...the Thrashers are on the verge of clinching their first ever playoff berth and they have a tough task in front of them as they face the always tough Sharks...

-The Leafs are idle tonight and they still have a game in hand over the Habs, but all I can say is "good luck" as they face the East-leading Sabres tomorrow...

-The Avalanche are red-hot right now, but that doesn't come into account for this game as they still beat the now turned pityful Oilers 5-1...the Oilers have dropped 12 in a row and it looks like Ryan Smyth really had a huge impact on this club, more than I thought...Edmonton sets a franchise record for consecutive losses, beating out the 1993 Oilers who lost 11 in a row...the Avs still sit 4 points behind the Flames, who beat the always powerful Red Wings 2-1 a few days ago...

-Denis Savard is a good coach, but he can't stop the Blackhawks from floundering...this teams needs a major shake-up and a wake up call: "Hello! You are an NHL TEAM! Get into the playoffs already!

Four teams vying for final playoff spot in East...

Here's a table showing you the teams in the race for the final playoff spot of the Eastern Conference with the games remaining and their last game result. Below, you can see abbreviated summaries of the games mentioned above.

• The Canadiens beat the Bruins 1-0 yesterday with the help of rookies: getting 30 saves from rookie Jaroslav Halak and a goal from rookie Guillaume Latendresse, his 16th of the campaign to help top the Bruins, who now seem like they've completely given up on making the playoffs, having not scored a goal in a little more than 138 minutes...Tim Thomas was sensational, making 31 saves in another losing Bruins cause, but not a losing cause for him as he kept the Bruins in the game till the very end, but, when a team doesn't score a goal, it's kinda hard to win a game...


• The Leafs held off the Devils 2-1, the Devils attempted to pry their way back with a goal from rookie sensation Travis Zajac late in the 3rd period, but it was in vain as the Leafs win a crucial matchup against a powerhouse with help from Kyle Wellwood, and his 11th goal of the season, and Nik Antropov with his 16th to seal the deal. Andrew Raycroft was just a little better than the Devils' star netminder Martin Brodeur, making 24 saves with his counterpart making one less for 23...The Leafs are tied with the Canadiens and Hurricanes for the final playoff spot and the Eastern Conference, and along with Carolina, -have 1 game in hand over Montreal...

• The Islanders lost again, this time to the Lightining, in overtime 4-3. The loss puts the Islanders at a mediocre 3-4-3 record in their past ten games. Just as you thought they were a lock, they started losing. Tampa Bay came back in fine fashion after an embarrassing loss to Washington on Sunday (a 7-1 crumbling) despite blowing the lead and going down before tying the game and winning it in overtime. Eric Perrin notched his 12th goal of the season, Vincent Lecavalier scored his league-leading 49th, Jason Ward tied the game with his 5th and Filip Kuba won it in overtime for the Lightning...The Isles got goals from Richard Zednik, his 7th, Richard Park with his 6th and Miro Satan tallied his 25th in a losing cause. With this loss the Islanders fall out of the 8th spot and into the 11 spot in the Eastern Conference, they do hold however, games in hand over the other competing teams...

• The Hurricanes were idle but are coming off a 7-2 thrashing over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday and prepare to play Thursday against the Washington Capitals.

Canes' Cam Ward Out Indefinitely....oh just kidding, really only a week!

That's right folks, so adjust your fantasy teams accordingly.

In yet another blow to the Canes attempt at defending their Stanley Cup Championship, Cam Ward is going to have to take a little break.

In yesterday afternoon's 2-1 shoot out loss to the Rangers, Cam Ward was injured during the 2nd period. Who injured him? None other than Brad 'I wasn't good enough to make the Canes" Isbister. Isbister displayed those same great skating skills that he showed off during the Canes training camp, sliding feet first into the crease, directly hitting Cam Ward's knee. The result was 11 stitches and more despair for the Hurricanes team and the fans.

"It's right on the top of the knee, so if I bend my leg, the stitches would probably come right out," Ward said.

Ouch. Along with the fact that he can't bend the knee - playing with a cut that deep you run the risk of infection. Remember Jay McKee? The latest reports have him as being out "indefinitely", but with a cut like that, right above the knee I can't see him returning anytime soon. Cam Ward said the cut was so deep, he could see the muscle.

So, who is going to be manning the pipes for the Canes now?

John Grahame.

Ok, you can stop laughing. Grahame has been pretty stellar for the Canes this season and I have faith in him that he can continue that play. This is his time to shine. The most likely call up to warm the bench is Justin Peters. The Canes other decent goaltender prospect, Craig Kowalski, is playing in the ECHL and is a huge part of his teams great performance this year. I doubt they will recall him when his team is in first place just to have him ride the pine.

This is just another disappointing blow to the Canes already injury riddled roster.

UPDATE:

Cam Ward is only going to be out "until he can have his stitches removed". Craig Kowalski has in fact been stolen away from his #1 team (a team he has been a huge part of) to sit on the bench until Ward can return in just 5-7 days. I'll believe it when I see it. I can't imagine what a cut like that would do to goaltenders dexterity, especially a butterfly goaltender like Wardo.

CG12

Catchin' up with the Canes....

The Hurricanes are currently on a not so well deserved 2 days of vacation. Practice doesn't pick back up for them until Wednesday, where Laviolette has stated they will be focusing on the PP and the PK mostly. Really Lavs, ya think?

While the Canes PK has been stellar (killing off 25 straight PK's), the PP has really left something to be desired. Scoring one goal out of 35 attempts is really....well, bad.
Unfortunately, its not just scoring on the PP that is really causing the Canes to struggle. It's never good when your top 2 lines are in something of a scoring drought to begin with.

The injury front isn't getting much better either.
Erik Cole was originally expected to be out for only 2-4 weeks after tearing his hip muscle during a pre-game skate. He has already missed 6 games and he isn't expected to be back any time soon.
Ray Whitney is nursing a nagging ankle injury which caused him to miss the game in Atlanta on Sunday. Rod Brind'Amour is also trying to kill the aches and pains (and after the Laraque hit on Friday, most pains) and injuries he has been battling with all season. Bret Hedican is also trying to heal a nagging injury (after an already injury filled season) to his "lower body".

On other Bret Hedican news, the rumour in Raleigh is that Hedican is thinking about hanging them up at the end of the season. He has had an extremely bad year with injuries, surgeries and aches and pains that just won't go away.

To help replace Bret Hedican, Anton Babchuk has been recalled from Albany.
After a bit of a temper tantrum when he was sent down and some time to "think it over", he will be back for Friday's game against Washington.
Babs has posted 1 goal and 6 assists in 9 games with Albany.

There won't be any trips to Vegas, quick vacations down to Florida or any of the like for the Canes during these 4 days off.
The guys are just relaxing and resting for two days, focusing on the huge 14 games coming up.

CG12

The Battle of the East tightens

The Leafs edged out the Devils 4-3 in a shootout and got goals from Carlo Colaiccovo, Matt Stajan and Nik Antropov. It was Andrew Raycroft's 26th start in a row.
Martin Brodeur is one win shy of the 40-win plateau for the season...Tomas Kaberle suffered a serious head/neck injury and was taken off in a stretcher.
The Leafs now sit 4 points behind the 8th spot in 10th place with 2 games in hand over the Canadiens and Hurricanes.
Despite earning a point, the Devils still sit 4 points back from the East leading Buffalo Sabres

The Penguins drop a contest to the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-2. Sidney Crosby got his 200th career point with Pittsburgh's first goal and Ryan Malone the other while Carolina got some goals from Scottie Walker, twice, and Frantisek Kaberle.
The Hurricanes now move up to the 8th spot in the East with a one point lead over the 9th place Canadiens.
Pittsburgh remains in the 5th spot, 3 points behind Ottawa for 4th and 5 points ahead from falling out the playoff picture.

The Sens lose to the Thrashers 4-2; Dany Heatly provides the offence for Ottawa, potting his 39th and 40th goals.
Newly acquired Pascal Dupuis scored the insurance goal for Atlanta late in the third, whereas equaly newbie Eric Belanger scores twice to propel the Thrashers to a win over the Senators.
The win moves the Thrashers to only 2 points behind the Southeast leading Lightning, they are now in 6th place with a point deficit behind the Penguins.
Ottawa remains firmly in 4th place.

The Sabres win over the Canadiens, 8-5 in a whacky see-saw type game from both clubs.
Derek Roy had 1 goal and 3 assists, Jochen Hecht added 3 helpers, Tomas Vanek and Michael Ryan each scored twice while Teppo Numminen scored his second of the season and added 2 assists.

Tomas Plekanec continues to be hot, scoring twice and adding one assist while Radek Bonk, Micheal Ryder and Mark Streit provided the other Montreal goals.

With this loss, the Canadiens drop a point behind the Hurricanes for the 8th and final playoff spot and Buffalo adds to their thin lead over the New Jersey Devils.

Can I have some aspirin for this hangover?

As I write this, the defending 2006 Stanley Cup champions are teetering on the playoff fence, dangerously close to falling off onto the wrong side. You know the side I am talking about – the one with the big, vicious mean dog ready to tear the team to shreds (think “The Sandlot”). Unfortunately for the team, its not just one single, angry dog waiting on the other side. It’s the Hurricanes fans that are waiting.

No, I don’t mean the fans that magically showed up during the Eastern Conference Finals, causing fans like myself to contemplate selling a kidney in order to afford tickets. I mean the ones that are sick and tired of the organization over achieving, only to decide that they have earned the right to play uninspired hockey. The same stigma the guys fought so hard to overcome last season is exactly what they are playing into this year.

Because of the “effort” put forth during the season, we now have to hope and pray that the stars align correctly and the Canes manage to make it into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. Once they get there, we have to cross our fingers and toes that they find the spark they had just last season to carry them into at least a decent playoff run.

The Canes are on a sinking ship and there were zero moves before the trade deadline to plug the holes. Oh, sorry…I forgot about Anson Carter. A team that has David Tanabe leading defenseman in TOI is NOT Stanley Cup bound, let alone playoff bound.

I realize I am not giving enough credit to the tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. This year’s race is incredible between Tampa Bay, Montreal, Atlanta, Toronto and the Islanders. There are essentially 4 playoff spots to share between the six teams, all of which don’t want to miss the playoffs. Atlanta is looking for their first ever playoff run, Toronto just CAN’T miss the playoffs again, the Islanders landed Captain Canada, Tampa leads the SE division and Montreal’s fans would riot if the Habs missed the playoffs.

So why does Carolina need to make the playoffs?

Because its 2007. The reign of the 2005-2006 Stanley Cup champions is over. Now we Canes fans just have to wait for Brind’Amour and Staal to realize that.

CG12