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Season Wrap Up: Thank you Canes(iacs)
Many positives to end the season with much to look forward to in the Fall
Posted by SoCalCaniac on April 9, 2010, 9:58 pm
If there were ever a season that we all just soon forget, it would have to be 2009-2010. Problem is if we "forget" we'd be cutting out of our lives the lowest of lows (14 game losing streak anyone?) and the highest of highs; The league announcing the Canes heading to Helsinki in October and of course yesterday's "Caniac Cookout" and autograph session which was really a ruse to announce the All Star Game being awarded to the Canes.
When a team has experienced the lowest points of a season - 30th place in the league for a long stretch of time will be classified as lowest point; only to lift themselves out and for a period of time looked like they could go on a run and knock a team out of one of the 8 spots for a playoff berth, there really shouldn't be any "bright spots" to note.
But a funny thing happened when the Canes players and it's fan base didn't quit on each other. The diehards kept coming to games, even when things started off so poorly and continued to slide; the players still said all the right things after each loss, that they could turn it around, they have an internal belief that they're a good team and can dig out of it. Well, they darn near did. After a 3-12-5 start of the season; the Canes are 20-8-3 in their last 31 games. What could have been indeed.
The relationship between this fanbase and the Canes players/organization is nothing short of special. This is a team who fans believe could be their family members; brothers, future sons-in-laws or just a next door neighbor. The players are just humble enough, that they ingratiate themselves to this community in no other way. When Chad LaRose scored that "Bobby Orr" like goal, the building erupted. Not just because the play that LaRose made was signature Chad, all hustle and guts but more likely because LaRose represents as an everyman- the little guy who never got drafted, and cherishes his every second in the NHL. He has no airs or anything about him that suggests "star" His partner in crime in last night's game, the Hat Trick Guy, Eric Staal, was born for the big moments, has the cache of the chosen one; has the big shoulders to carry his teammates, but with his boy next door looks, he really could be the guy next door-- who just happens to be a superstar hockey player. This community relates to the entire team as if they were their own. The players feed off that and maybe it's because many of them come from small communities across North America and abroad, that this region, not a large metro area by any stretch, makes sense for them; the players talk about it all the time and you believe their sincerity.
Last night, was not a game of consequence, the Canes are officially eliminated. But you couldn't tell by the full house of 18,560 in the RBC Center, who were in full throttle, cheering and wildly excited about the game, and the earlier announcement of the All Star Game. Montreal had everything to play for, yet it was the Canes who were not going to let this game get away- they felt they owed their fans. Their coach felt they owed their fans, and from start to finish, which concluded with a showering of hats after Staal's hat trick the fans got a treat that will surely have them wanting more.
For old time's sake, the Caniacs will greet the players at RDU after the Saturday afternoon game in Boston. Details in the Hurricanes thread inside. Join us for one last hoorah. The players love it.
The season opens in Helsinki on October 7, 2010. Got your passport? See you there.
Game Preview: Canes vs Devils
The Penultimate Home Game & Fan Appreciation Week Begins
Posted by SoCalCaniac on April 3, 2010, 11:29 am
It's coming to a close. The season that started with such high hopes, with so much expectation, and turned into one of the most horrific situations to start I promised myself I wouldn't bring up the 14 game losing streak, but if we're being fair and want to look at what went wrong, it all points that streak;The climb out of 30th place should be our source of pride, but it also speaks to what could have been,and for most who follow this team, that's a tough pill to swallow.
So, tonight's opponent on this Holiday weekend, is an old foe and last season's first round opponent, the NJ Devils. Canes fans enjoy this matchup because of the always interesting things that seem to happen when the sure Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur is in net. The Devils are a little bit different now that they've added Ilya Kovalchuk, the dynamic, former Atlanta Thrasher who always found ways to score against the Canes, is now in their lineup and in fact scored his 40th goal of the season last night in a 2-1 shootout loss against Chicago. The Devils have secured a playoff spot and just supassed the Penguins with a point to take over the division lead, so the Devils goal is to finish strong and have home ice advantage. The rivalry with NJ and the Canes is a strong one, and after being ousted from the first round by the Canes and the Canes playoff hopes dashed for this season, at least the Devils are assured of not meeting up with the Canes and at least getting past-that first round; something that has been tricky in recent years. All eyes will be on Kovalchuk and Brodeur, but can't forget about US Olympian and the Devils heart and soul, Zach Parise. While Brodeur did play last night, he expects to play every game, so we should expect to see him in net.
For the Canes- it's a sure fire chance to finish the season strong on home ice and in front of the home fans who have remarkably stuck with them when things looked bleak, and when things started to turn the right way. The team is coming off a backbreaking shootout loss in Ottawa, which should have been a regulation win if not for a poor series of circumstances with 11 seconds left in the game.
In the "good news" part of this space, Cam Ward had a strong 2 games after returning from the back injury. The game in Montreal was sparkling. It was vintage Cam Ward. On top of this, the "Kid" line of Bowman/Dwyer/Boychuk hasn't been tearing up the score sheet, however, they have been creating chances as a line, and more importantly, really getting past the "wide eyed rookie" thing (in Bowman & Boychuk's case) and are showing the promise of what is to come.
Today is the kick off of Fan Appreciation Week at the RBC Center; The team will have a door prize; the team portrait for fans coming to the game; at the end of the game, it'll be the annual "Jerseys off the back" presentation to STHers, Corporate Sponsors and fans chosen via drawing.
As is normal in these parts, the Canes will host a lawn party with food and games for the kids, and live entertainment; plenty of tailgaters will be out in force in what has been a great weather week, and a true kick off to spring-- the Arena Complex will have the aroma of charcoal. Good family fun, so get there early to take in the festivities and celebrate the team not playing out the stretch to get it done, but like Cam Ward said in his post game comments in Montreal --- play with pride and for the logo on the jersey.
One game at home after this one, see you all out amongst the tailgating faithful, or in the building to cheer the team on. It's a great day for hockey, as we all know.
For Caniacs around the state and the country/world, tune in on FS Carolinas with John & Tripp, or Chuck K. on the radio side on 99.9 The Fan.
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Offseason
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Tim Gleason
#42
Defenseman
6'0" - 217 Lbs.
Shoots: Left
Born: January 29, 1983
Birthplace: Clawson, MI
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