Game Thread ..... vs. Montreal, 12/23/09

[Canesluver]

You've been waiting for it.... yep.... it's Alfred E. Newman --oops!-- I mean, Erik Cole bobblehead night! Woooo!

If you don't have a ticket, you can still take advantage of the BOGO for the game, by bringing in a canned food item to the Box Office. Also -- note this: Fans who bring two Harris-Teeter branded items will be entered to win a prize pack featuring a team-autographed stick, two tickets to an upcoming game and $250 from Harris Teeter. Winner will be announced during the second intermission.

Puck-drop at 7:00PM

LET'S GO 'CANES!!

[nccanes]

Woo hoo - I think I will actually MAKE this game. And I'm such a disconnected fan that I actually had to look up who we were playing about 20 minutes ago. :lol:

[Canesluver]

I had no idea, until I looked at a calendar print-out I keep by this computer! :lol:

And this game is supposed to be in HD.... for those of you keeping track....

[c-girl]

Erik was on MIX101.5 this morning talking to Bill and Lynda about the bobblehead. They had one in the studio. They were saying how good it looked and Erik said that a friend of his said it looks like George W. Bush. :lol:

[FinFan]

Staal sat out practice. I hope he plays, but I have to wonder if he pulled something last night with the hard hits and being sat on several times during the game.

[G-Vegas Caniac]

And this game is supposed to be in HD.... for those of you keeping track....

I think it's only being broadcast in HD by RDS (Montreal's TV Affiliate)? I don't think FS Carolinas is doing this one in HD..Or did I miss something? :lol:

[caniac369]

^ According to the TV schedule on the Canes website the game tomorrow night isn't in HD (Monday vs. the Rangers was). Kind of bummed though... our new plasma TV got delivered yesterday and hubby has agreed to upgrade our Comcast to HD!!

BTW- The next Canes game in HD (according to the schedule) is Friday January 8th vs. Colorado.

[wa10]

If we win this one, we only have to go 31-9-5 the rest of the way to get to 93 points.

Incidentally, the maximum number of points we can currently get is 116.

Our magic number is 12 more losses and we can no longer achieve more than 92 points. Assuming 93 points is required to make the playoffs the earliest we can be eliminated is 1/18/10 (Of course, one could argue that the possibility of winning out is infinitesimally small).

If we went on a 4 game winning streak we would still be the 30th ranked team in the league.

[Alicia]

If we win this one, we only have to go 31-9-5 the rest of the way to get to 93 points.

Incidentally, the maximum number of points we can currently get is 116.

Our magic number is 12 more losses and we can no longer achieve more than 92 points. Assuming 93 points is required to make the playoffs the earliest we can be eliminated is 1/18/10 (Of course, one could argue that the possibility of winning out is infinitesimally small).

If we went on a 4 game winning streak we would still be the 30th ranked team in the league.
Well I'm holding my breath...NOT!

[KaniacFever]

Here's hoping we get win #10. Sure would be nice to be in double digits for wins heading into the Christmas holiday.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

You guys forgot who we were playing? WTF? It's Erik Cole bobblehead night.....OBVIOUSLY we're playing Montreal.:lol:

Erik was on MIX101.5 this morning talking to Bill and Lynda about the bobblehead. They had one in the studio. They were saying how good it looked and Erik said that a friend of his said it looks like George W. Bush. :lol:

Who looks like Alfred E Newman so....yeah, that's about right!

If we win this one, we only have to go 31-9-5 the rest of the way to get to 93 points.
http://tridead.net/canes/images/smilies/rofl.gif

But I want some of what you're smokin' to even still have the heart to do the math.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Here's hoping we get win #10. Sure would be nice to be in double digits for wins heading into the Christmas holiday.

Remember one year when Whitney's Christmas wish was to be 10 games over .500 by Christmas? And we got it and more. :(

[FinFan]

nhl_canes: Whitney not at morning skate - details to follow shortly. Gleason trying metal cage shield rather than plastic. Staal, Samsonov back.

details to follow, and he was seen post skate yesterday in an animated conversation with Mo.... I'm afraid this may be "the" trade.

[G-Vegas Caniac]

I wonder what the Whitney statement means!?!? (from Canes twitter)- ETA:FinFan beat me to it :)

Whitney not at morning skate - details to follow shortly. Gleason trying metal cage shield rather than plastic. Staal, Samsonov back.

[FinFan]

:D Good thing I'm not the only one worried about this.

[c-girl]

Whitney not at morning skate - details to follow shortly

That does it. I guess I'm really not getting any work done today now. Dreading this . . .

ETA: Wait a minute. They're under a holiday trade freeze right now. It can't be a trade, right?

[Captain Slack]

Won't be a trade. The Xmas trade freeze is in effect until next week.

[FinFan]

Ah, okay. Thank God for that. But I hope it isn't anything bad. :( I hope Ray's okay.

[c-girl]

Might be an injury. Although yesterday at practice, he looked fine. He was even shooting pucks at the kiddies on the glass and laughing when they were scared half to death.

yeah, the trade freeze is from December 19 through December 27.

[nccanes]

Wow - that seems odd. It wouldn't be THAT unusual for Ray to skip a skate, so this certainly piques interest..and not in a good way.

Twit-tease.

[FinFan]

My hockey knowledge hasn't gotten that far yet. I'm still learning stuff on ice.

[nccanes]

In other game related news from the Habs:

As the Canadiens hit the ice for an afternoon practice at the RBC Center in Raleigh today, Paul Mara and Brian Gionta headed home to Montreal.

Mara took a shot off his left hand or wrist Monday in Atlanta and he'll be examined by doctors in Montreal. Gionta, who is coming back from a broken foot, has had a minor setback in his recovery. He has been told to stay off his skates for four days. And there as more bad news when defenceman Roman Hamrlik, who practiced with the team, said he wasn't ready to face the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night. His left knee is not stable enough for him to turn comfortably.

On the brighter side, Marc-André Bergeron skipped practice but said he expects to play tomorrow. He has a stiff neck from crashing into a goalpost after scoring the winning goal in Atlanta. And Benoit Pouliot will make his Canadiens' debut. Pouliot, who has been out with a sprained wrist, will be on a line with Scott Gomez and Sergei Kostitsyn.

Also, Habs will not skate this morning (they practiced here yesterday afternoon) and Halak will get the start.

[cmw00]

details to follow, and he was seen post skate yesterday in an animated conversation with Mo....

That part is still interesting. I guess something could be worked out, and they would scratch Ray till the freeze is over maybe? But wasn't it reported that JR said he'd rather re-sign Ray?

[nccanes]

Chip says that Mo says Ray will play. No other details.

Did we have a bad tweeter on board or something?

[G-Vegas Caniac]

He's not doing something related to Christmas, like something special for a charity today, is he??

[c-girl]

From nhl_canes:

Whitney will play tonight - just resting this morning. Niclas Wallin is back in, with Jay Harrison a healthy scratch.

Good grief. Why do they do this to us? Don't they know we are LetsGoSpeculate.com around here? :)

[nccanes]

Now they just tweeted that he was just "resting".

edit:

whoever is tweeting is either drunk or needs to be removed from duty. They just tweeted the most unflattering twitpic of Jay Harrison. :lol:

[Cyn4Canes]

nhl_canes just twittered Whitney will play tonight - just resting this morning.

Really? That's it? Got us all excited and nervous over resting!

:)

[c-girl]

Now they just tweeted that he was just "resting".

edit:

whoever is tweeting is either drunk or needs to be removed from duty. They just tweeted the most unflattering twitpic of Jay Harrison. :lol:


:lol:

Forslund's not looking all that good either.

[FinFan]

OMG, that picture... Forsland looks like an old man flasher and Jay... not sure what to say. :lol:

Okay, that was so not nice for them to tweet about Ray after what had been said at yesterday's skate. :( Not sure why scratching Jay. He's been playing well. But it will be nice to have Nic back.

[nccanes]

And for tonight's slump buster!!

The Canadiens wrap up the pre-Christmas portion of their seven-game road trip Wednesday night and will look to snap a futility streak for Dec. 23 road games that stretches to 1945. That's the last time the Canadiens have won a road game on that date, when they beat the Boston Bruins.

[Canesluver]

^ LMAO!!

And.... all you Nervous Nellies should be ashamed of yourself. Ray takes-off a lot of game-day skates. That's his M.O.

[nccanes]

And.... all you Nervous Nellies should be ashamed of yourself. Ray takes-off a lot of game-day skates. That's his M.O.

Then why did the Hurricanes themselves tweet about his absence and that "details to follow shortly"?

[KaniacFever]

Then why did the Hurricanes themselves tweet about his absence and that "details to follow shortly"?

They must have the intern doing the tweets again. Would explain that twitpic of Jay Harrison.


Intern probably got twit happy when he/she saw Whitney missing from practice, and didn't know about the trade freeze.

[nccanes]

More promo updates:

# We will be giving out Erik Cole bobbleheads to the first 10,000 fans. As an added bonus we will randomly place ten autographed bobbleheads into the mix. They will be spread out among all entrances. This is the first of four bobbleheads, with Chad LaRose to follow on January 18th.

# Stormy Santa will be on the concourse for autographs and pictures. Feel free to stop by outside of section 108 from 6:00 p.m. until 6:50 p.m.

# Santa will be sounding the Hurricane Warning Siren. Santa has some big shoes to fill after our friend Ric Flair on Monday not only brought his usual energy but wore the robe to boot!

# The new Eye Care Associates Storm Squad calendar was released earlier this month. They are free after completing a brief 23-second survey. Before the game the Storm Squad will be signing the calendars outside of section 114. If you cannot make it during that time, the calendars can be picked up at the promotions and fan development kiosk (section 108/109). The Storm Squad will be signing before games for the next few contests as well (location to vary).

[FinFan]

After looking at "the cage" on Timmay, I think Corvo needs to lend him one of his old catcher masks. :lol:

[livinthedream]

Yeah, big surprise... Timmay says he ain't wearing this one either.

(twitpic)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4209270792_46698ca92a.jpg

(another view)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2500/4208506775_3aff2fff68.jpg

[nccanes]

I guess it's too bulky, but it seems like it would solve the sweat and fogging issue.

I guess he got fussed at for going sans shield after the first in the last game.

[FinFan]

Poor Tim. He looks so sad behind bars. They should have anti-fog for the shield, though the sweat probably doesn't mix well with that and makes things worse.

[FinFan]

Aw, the hell... Jay's been sent back to Albany. Poor guy, gets an embarrassing pic on twitpic and then has to catch a flight back to Albany.

[superdave]

And for tonight's slump buster!!

I used the term "slump buster" one day at work and then had to explain what that meant. I was the only one in the office that knew what a slump buster was. I work with some sad people.

[Alicia]

They just tweeted the most unflattering twitpic of Jay Harrison. :lol:I beg to differ! ;)

Aw, the hell... Jay's been sent back to Albany. Poor guy, gets an embarrassing pic on twitpic and then has to catch a flight back to Albany.Damnit! :mad:

[livinthedream]

Good grief. Why do they do this to us? Don't they know we are LetsGoSpeculate.com around here? :)

Okay I missed that when I read through the thread earlier.

LMAO!!!

Oh, and for those not on twitter, big ole pallet of Erik Cole bobbleheads just waiting for us!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/4209270210_4d2065036a_o.jpg

Although actually the cartons say they're "polyresin toys."

[goalie33]

I guess it's too bulky, but it seems like it would solve the sweat and fogging issue.

I guess he got fussed at for going sans shield after the first in the last game.

The problem with the cage is that unless it's tight (uncomfortably so), it's very easy for another player to smash it into your face during a puck battle.

[SoCalcaniac]

He looked more comfortable with the cage on than when he's practiced with the sheild/cage/whatever it is. You can see he totally hates them all, but I do think he looked more sure of himself with that thing on. The pic turned out real good LTD.

It was so funny to see all those pallets of bobbleheads just stacked at the door as we were walking out. Holy cow.

I've always presumed it was Branecky that was doing the tweeting at skates and practices, he's usually sitting right there with the media gaggle hunched over the laptop- so that little dramatic tweet about "details to follow" had alot of people looking at their phones at the skate saying "what could that mean??" Ray hasn't taken the morning skates off in a LONG time. He'll take the practice days but it's not often anymore that he takes the game day. So it was a little surprising to see it.

The Jay Harrison pic: Well, it's a look......

Anyway, let's hope for a good night at the rink. Two days off for the holidays, they might as well leave it all out there. Plus they're at home. Win the game boys. You can do it.

[Alicia]

Cam looked mad as hell...

[perfectstorm]

He should be...he has a POS team playing in front of him.

[nccanes]

Cam looked mad as hell...
Before or after the hook?

I can't believe I looked forward to this...when I could be home under a blanket, I have to work a full day tomorrow.:lol:

Tempted to leave but they get 1 more period.

I called that 3rd goal the WHOLE way, maybe 25 shouldn't play 4 minutes on. PP (seemingly anyway).

But my Blue moon was awesome, first rbc beer of the year for me.

[Alicia]

Before or after the hook?
After, on his way to the locker room...probably splintered his stick.

This team needs to figure out how to score. And fast. Looks pathetic...

[Jillsdad]

ok....first thing....we suck tonite!!!!

Second thing....everyone was all worried about Whitney and while I agree that the tweet made things sound bad.....we are at the trading moratorium until the 27th I believe so the only thing it could have been was an injury or illness. Leave it to the Canes to try and freak us all out though

last thing.....I wonder when Paul Mara and Brian Gionta were sent home if they allowed Gionta to sit on Mara's lap so they only had to buy one plane ticket?

[nccanes]

Well, I'm home and beat the "traffic". This team is just sad, sad, sad.

Another night I wanted to see JR come out and coach the 3rd (with a stool to help him see the ice ).

[Kat]

I'm watching episode 7, season 1 of Criminal Minds (thanks Alicia!! :)). Gave up after goal #5...

[nccanes]

Oh, the highlight of the night for me was Dancing Granny as she seemed to have slowed a bit and sat down before her "camera time" was over. Was she mouthing "I love you" as she blew kisses? It was very sweet (to me).

Lowlight was Cam's getting the hook getting a huge cheer. Even my 14 yo was a bit stunned.

[Jillsdad]

Kat,

Which episode is that? I am huge Criminal Minds fan.....have the first four seasons on DVD....although I let someone borrow season 1

[Kat]

The Fox. I have caught various episodes here and there, and am hooked.. started from the beginning yesterday. :)

Yes, this is where the 'Canes season has gone. Jillsdad and I are discussing TV shows in the game thread. :lol:

[KaniacFever]

I got my Eric Cole bobblehead. That's about all I have to say :lol:

[SoCalcaniac]

Oh, the highlight of the night for me was Dancing Granny as she seemed to have slowed a bit and sat down before her "camera time" was over. Was she mouthing "I love you" as she blew kisses? It was very sweet (to me).

Lowlight was Cam's getting the hook getting a huge cheer. Even my 14 yo was a bit stunned.

DG was very sweet. She has slowed down, but you still see the twinkle in her eye. She still loves coming to games.

All ya'll that cheered when Cam got the hook like someone scored a goal? PATHETIC. A standing O as Legace came in? gimme a fuc*** break. I saw him hurl the stick when he went into the hallway there, and I wanted to go down to the bench and *****slap the whole group. WAKE THE F UP.

None of those sorry asses even responded- Oh, wait, except for the 20 year old. You should all be flippin'' ashamed of yourselves.

This was easily the sh***est performance ever on the record. I felt like leaving (AGAIN) yet I stayed with the drunks heckling and acting foolish in the stands.

Eric Staal getting demoted to the 3rd line, was interesting. He's hurt again, and they're going to lie about it. As per usual.

I'm just going to say this because i'm so pissed- I hate the coach.

Aaron Ward if you never see the ice in this uniform again, I will do a dance and buy anyone a ticket to a game just for the hell of it. Thank GOD the Coach sat his sorry ass down the entire 3rd period. Oh, and the Patrick Kane, chewing your mouthguard deal while arguing the horrid boarding call? It's a sh**** look Ward. Just shut your mouth get lost.

I good crowd, a giveaway, people ready to cheer and this is what we get?

[superdave]

Well, that sucked.

I'd say more, but I think that pretty much sums it up.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

This team is shiiiiiiiiit.



And LTD---I'd LOVE to hear a first-hand acount of the mess with the a**hole Habs fans at the bottom of 118. I'm sure some Canes fans were being jerks as well but, those guys were something else.

And I know I've seen that one guy with the STUPID haircut thrown out of a Montreal game before!:lol:

[IceSun]

Thanks for all the lowlights - I luckily didn't waste a minute of thought on this team today until I came on here to see what happened tonight after seeing the score.

And congrats to everybody who predicted that we would help end Montreal's slump...

[Scottysfistofdeath]

Eric Staal getting demoted to the 3rd line, was interesting. He's hurt again, and they're going to lie about it. As per usual.

I was thinking the same thing... as soon as team Canada is announced (I'm not holding my breath that Staal is going to be on there) I wouldn't be surprised if he gets some more down time. I know the Olympics are important, but it seems like the big guy is pressing and thinking too much sometimes instead of just playing

The game was pretty lousy, but I've become de-sensitized. Glad to see Sutter gives a crap along with 15 giving a decent performance (wish he had gotten a lucky bounce on that turnover wrister). Liked Carson's aggressiveness with his shot hope he'll continue to develop and cut down on the mistakes.

The 3rd period PP with Timmeh-Cully-Wiz-Sutter-Ruu looked pretty nice, the puck actually moved within the zone and they got up some good shots. I'd like to see more of that.

I was about to type that I'm confused by the failure to show a will to score and dominate and play aggressively. Then I remembered who's behind the bench. MMG. That's another potential silver lining along with a high draft pick- more fuel for the coaching change fire.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Yeah, I believe we fired a coach last year when we had about a 500 win percentage. We now have about a 250 win percentage.

[toastmasterbone]

I have it on good authority from a chicken with no legs that Karberle put a curse on the team when he left.

[livinthedream]

SHC I don't know the story about what was going on behind me, did they actually get thrown out? There were two really obnoxious Habs fans but I didn't hear them do anything but yell loudly, must have been an argument that was starting to lead to fisticuffs. I'll have to ask somebody exactly what went down, I was pretty oblivious to it all.

So Eric Staal took ZERO faceoffs tonight, not even the second faceoff man when they kicked Ruuty out of the circle, then Sutter was moved up and he was sent down with Jussi centering him and Dwyer. Is he demoted or hurt? I KNOW he's hurt, it's obvious in the way he moves and how he tries to protect himself along the boards.

So Aaron Ward did not touch the ice in the third period. Okay so that I can understand. Just a shame he had to touch the ice for the first two. But I am a little stunned that the fourth line didn't see not a shift in the third. Wow, Brindy and Scott Walker 6 shifts less than 5 minutes TOI tonight. Bless their hearts.

Talking about oblivious, I heard the "YOU SUCK" chant and for the longest time couldn't figure out who it was because it certainly wasn't Halak, then finally I realized it was "Maurice... Maurice... ".

I very much enjoyed the new "Intimidation" ad on the videoboard. And it was good to see Dancin Granny in the house, although she looks more frail each time you see her.

I'm past this game, got way too many other things to occupy my mind and way to much to do to get ready for company coming tomorrow and then the jolly old elf himself tomorrow night. But I'd sure hate to be a member of this roster (coaches or players) and have that game hanging over my head going into the Christmas holiday. Wouldn't wish that on anybody. Yuck.

[canefan2k1]

Yeah, I believe we fired a coach last year when we had about a 500 win percentage. We now have about a 250 win percentage.
In early December last year when Lavi got the boot, the 'Canes were 12-11-2 with 26 points, well within reach of the playoffs. At the same time this year, they were 5-17-5 with a measly 15 points and no where near close to a playoff spot.

Near the end of December, it hasn't gotten any better. With Lavi's salary off the books now, why is Mo still behind the bench? The team isn't missing the playoffs by ten points; rather, they are in DEAD LAST by TEN POINTS. Absolutely pathetic*.

* pathetic both in terms of performance and in the fact that Mo is still behind the bench. Some "standards" he is held to.

[c-girl]

Talking about oblivious, I heard the "YOU SUCK" chant and for the longest time couldn't figure out who it was because it certainly wasn't Halak, then finally I realized it was "Maurice... Maurice... ".




We couldn't figure it out either. At first, we thought they were saying "Stormy" and why would anybody say Stormy sucks? :lol:

Personally, and this is just my own opinion, I think the Sucks chants are pretty classless - especially if they are directed at our own people. I feel the same way about booing our team. As bad as the team is playing and as much as I want a different coach, I just can't boo the team or insult the coach in our building during a game. If anybody wants to bombard JR with e-mails or b!itch and complain about the team all over talk radio, have at it. But in our building? I can't do it.

Did anybody see Cully's face on the videoboard when he realized the crowd was booing at the end of the first period? My heart just broke for him. In fact, my heart breaks for all these guys.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

The booing absolutely breaks my heart and I don't do it (often....can't say never). But, I don't think it's "classless" when it's warranted. And last night, it was absolutely warranted.

I would imagine any face our guys are making when being booed as they leave the ice after a first period in which they went down 4-1 would be "wow, I can't believe it took them that long."

[c-girl]

I didn't say the booing was classless (although I do think that - I just didn't say it). I said I think the Sucks chants are classless. I don't even like to hear them directed at the other goalie and I certainly don't think they should be directed at our own people.

As for booing, I just don't think it accomplishes anything. It's not like the guys are oblivious to how they're playing. They know it. If they knew how to fix it, they would. They don't need fan booing to remind them. Besides, it reduces our fan base to the level of the sanctimonious Canadian/Northeast fans who think hockey doesn't belong in the south and I'm just not going to play that game.

[superdave]

Did anybody see Cully's face on the videoboard when he realized the crowd was booing at the end of the first period? My heart just broke for him. In fact, my heart breaks for all these guys.

It is a bit sad that Cullen has to be on the ice when the team is getting booed. He has brought the effort every game this season.

The crowd got restless last night and deservedly so. That was a pitifull display of hockey. I mentioned to my wife that the team had lost the crowd, and that was in the 1st period. As far as the "santimonious Canadian and NE fans that don't think hockey belongs in the south", well, they don't seem to mind booing their teams.

It's going to get ugly folks.

[nccanes]

I boo occasionally because I feel like it (though I don't do it often). I boo'd when we screwed up the PP in the 2nd by getting a TOO MANY MEN penalty of our own.

I don't like the YOU SUCKS chants, I agree. But I missed that one as I left after the Habs scored their 5th goal.

Seeing people cheer wildly when Cam was pulled bothered me. Seeing people stand and cheer bothered me even more. Poor kid hasn't once had his name chanted in the arena and people are gonna cheer after he gets the hook. Ugh.

So since I missed the 3rd and various folks had their asses on the bench and the Habs didn't score -- do we call that progress? :lol:

[SoCalcaniac]

It's going to get ugly folks.

Going to get ugly? You mean there's more? I've put up with alot in the last 10 years. I'm not sure how much more I've "got".


Waking up and seeing the front page of the paper, and looking at the grand scheme of things--- it's the holiday's, I've got things to do, blah, blah blah, there are more certainly things far more important for me to concern myself with, no question.

HOWEVER. there are many of us who are long term paying customers (i.e delusional season ticket holders, etc) who actually give a crap about this team. Right now, I personally hate everything about this team, but as has been the norm over these last several years, I dust myself off, find a way to care again, and attempt to make the "best" of the situation. I keep going back to 2002-03, and that season was hell on earth times 10. The problem with this incarnation of that season, is that we were "out of it" somewhere around Jan/Feb ya'll stats people can tell me when it really was. We have been "out of it" Since NOVEMBER. That for me is damning and friggin difficult to fathom, accept and all that other stuff related to be mortified.

I am not a fan of the booing, you suck thing, either. I'll live with it, as it's a way people can express their anger/displeasure. C-girl, I did see Cullen's face on the video board, and I'm with superdave, of all the people on this squad, it wouldn't be Cullen to boo. He's just the collateral damage in this mess.

What made me more angry than anything was the frenzied cheering when Cam got pulled. What kind of bull**** was that, I have no freaking idea. That, more than the booing, the you suck, etc. etc. etc. is far more embarassing, shameful, and pitiful than anything I've witnessed in awhile.

[e2ipiand1]

Well, last night was doubly bad for me.

I wanted to leave after the second period, but I've never left early before, so I stayed. By the time the travesty was over, I was so ready to get the h*** out of there that I forgot to take the bobble heads with me. I didn't even realize that I'd forgotten them until we were halfway home.

I can only hope that someone turned them into lost and found...

[superdave]

Going to get ugly? You mean there's more? I've put up with alot in the last 10 years. I'm not sure how much more I've "got".

What made me more angry than anything was the frenzied cheering when Cam got pulled. What kind of bull**** was that, I have no freaking idea. That, more than the booing, the you suck, etc. etc. etc. is far more embarassing, shameful, and pitiful than anything I've witnessed awhile.

I mean that if nothing changes, it's going to get uglier in the stands.

Pulling Cam was a bit of a head scratcher to me, especially 10 minutes in. Cam didn't make all 4 PKers chase one man with the puck on the first goal and that was the one that Mo said he was good enough to get. At 3-1 you're still in the game halfway through the first. I wondered if he was hurting, but there was no mention of that.

I don't know why anybody would cheer Cam getting pulled. It wasn't his fault that there's no D in front of him.

[brindyfan]

Maybe it was just me but at the time, I thought the crowd was showing support for Cam. The crowd has done that before--like recognizing the problem was not Cam & wanted to show support. Disclaimer, I could be wrong because I started tuning things out very early in the game. I didn't leave physically but the spirit was long gone.

[livinthedream]

I've booed before (several seasons back now), and it didn't make me feel good personally to do it, so I don't do it anymore. I figure silence in the NHL's loudest house sometimes sends just as strong a message.

I don't do the "You Suck" chants either, but I think that's more about karma.

I know there are a lot of polarizing figures on the team and coaching staff, but I don't know many folks at all who don't absolutely love Cam Ward. I have a hard time believing people were actually giving an ovation for him getting the hook. At the time it happened I really thought it was more of an attempt albeit a strange one to try to rally the team than anything else. Just my opinion of course.

ETA: Brindyfan, I was posting while you were, so I didn't see your post first. Glad to see I'm not alone.

[SoCalcaniac]

Maybe it was just me but at the time, I thought the crowd was showing support for Cam. The crowd has done that before--like recognizing the problem was not Cam & wanted to show support. Disclaimer, I could be wrong because I started tuning things out very early in the game. I didn't leave physically but the spirit was long gone.

I did not get the feeling that anyone was "supporting" Cam. Quite the opposite. We had tools in 121 saying "well at least Legace gives us a chance" A chance at what? seeing him scramble wildly out of position? Oh, OK.

I know how you feel BFan, my head was in a scramble by the time the 3rd goal got scored. I was "there" but really, I started thinking about my place settings for dinner and Midnight Mass.

They were cheering Cam getting yanked and "thinking" that Legace was the savior. Uh-huh.

[nccanes]

I wondered that too brindyfan, but there's clearly no way to know who is cheering in support of Cam and who is just being a dick. The people I saw personally seemed to be cheering with gusto for the fact that he was being replaced.

SD - I don't know if Mo was blaming Cam, it could have been a WAKE THE F UP team kind of thing. Then again, Joni played the following shifts as they led up to the Habs 3rd goal: 1:10 shift - rest 10 seconds during which Sutter scored - :46 shift - rest 34 seconds - 1:40 shift...goal against. That's 3:36 of ice time over 4:20 of clock time (plus whatever stoppages and if I did my math right).

[c-girl]

As far as the "santimonious Canadian and NE fans that don't think hockey belongs in the south", well, they don't seem to mind booing their teams.


Yeah, that was my point. They do boo their own teams. I don't like to see us stooping to their level.

[MoBigRed]

Personally, and this is just my own opinion, I think the Sucks chants are pretty classless -

+1. I know it's supposed to be all witty or something, but the truth of the matter is that it's really rather redneck, and probably doesn't do much to get under anyone's skin. If i'm a player and i get the 'you suck' chant, i'd probably laugh at it more than anything else.

Even moreso if i'm Maurice - he's reached lifetime contract status by now and he knows it.

[SoCalcaniac]

BINGO E. It was this wild "gusto" that made it clear to me, that people were thrilled he was being yanked.

The Joni minutes are a problem for me too. I know he's a horse, and he can play lots of minutes and seemingly feel "no pain"-- but come the hell on. Level this out Coach.

I personally hated The Coaches comments on Cam. "I expected him to make that first save" Oh really? When all the coverage was blown to hell? Forslund seemed to question that comment in the post game. I fully question it. Mo hockey = You have to be sterling and shut the other team out every f'ing game. BRILLIANT baggy eyes.

[superdave]

I think I stood up and applauded when he was skating off the ice, but it wasn't out of joy, just respect. That wasn't what I remembered about last night.

[MoBigRed]

Elsewhere, i've been coming dangerously close to saying this for a while, and last night fairly clinched it - i'm really starting to think it's Sutter who is the offensive and leadership future of this team, not Staal. Sure, i realize Staal is playing injured again*, but i just see so much more spark from Sutter. And yeah, the team does tend to rally behind Staal, but i think a lot of that might be the hype... if things continue as they have been, i wouldn't be surprised to see the rally to pull behind Sutter instead. Particularly next season, when we will (hopefully) have a much younger team with many of Sutter's former-Rat teammates.

I might be wrong, but i'm really getting where i see that happening.



* - not that i'm convinced he was ever healthy in the first place, even on his return

[livinthedream]

I think I stood up and applauded when he was skating off the ice, but it wasn't out of joy, just respect. That wasn't what I remembered about last night.

This is what I remember as well. I know no one who felt joy when Cam got yanked. I saw people trying to show support for him and for Legace.

If anything, I would have thought folks would have booed Maurice for making the decision to yank him.

[nccanes]

I think I stood up and applauded when he was skating off the ice, but it wasn't out of joy, just respect.

That applauding I'd agree with - but it's harder to explain cheering and wooing.

Anyone who was at the final game of that season where Irbe was down in the minors and then came back up out of necessity will remember how the place went bonkers when they yanked Weekes. I loved Irbe, but it was so unfair to see Weekes skates off the ice to that, when Irbe had expressed his desire to be traded earlier. It does happen.

[evan]

I'm almost to the point where I'm ready to watch another team play the rest of the season. I've emotionally disconnected myself from the Hurricanes, where before I would be upset with the flow of the game, calls, goals, etc. I just watch for the amusement of seeing the Hurricanes make [insert opponent here] look like the Harlem Globetrotters of hockey and enjoy our monthly win or two but even that kind of watching is becoming painful. I'd rather see a new coach and a team full of River Rats try to get things going for next season, at least that would be less predictable.

I've decided my team to watch, particularly after the pain has ended for this season of Carolina Hurricanes hockey will be Phoenix. It's not even January and I'm figuring out who I will root for in the playoffs.

What upsets me isn't the result on the ice, it's the lack of respect I see for our organization and it's fans (particularly those still spending money to see this) by the apparent old boys network in our management. Nothing ever changes, the losses keep coming but the same guys are playing, the same strategies are employed, the same people are running the show... why the hell hasn't Aaron Ward been scratched? Was the waiving just to appease fans or do you really think he's worth being dressed and in the lineup at this point? I was really disappointed to see Rodney sent down and Harrison scratched ahead of Ward being scratched for ONE game this season. There's no accountability in this organization. No matter how bad it gets, everyone remains loyal to Maurice and our 'veteran' players. I'm tired of hearing Maurice preach patience when our team is so %!&!&!* patient that they wait til the last 2 minutes of every game to play. I see guys like Staal, Whitney, etc. taking shifts off and gliding because they know if they do something well the Brind'amours, AWards, etc. are going to get out there and glide their next shift, or Maurice is going to play Pitkanen for 30 minutes or call a bad line change and cost us another goal. The lack of trust player-to-player is apparent and there's no chemistry left throughout the lineup.

I will say that I've been proud of a few guys like Cullen and Ruutu for still trying every shift to turn things around but they can't do it by themselves. Oh, and all this stuff about how the Hurricanes need to slow things down and keep the pace down to grind out a win that I'm hearing from commentary and sometimes from the coaching staff: this is the new NHL, it's not 1999, it's not 2000 there's a reason we're losing every freaking game. This team is already slow, for the love of all that is good and holy, DO NOT preach slow things down to this team.

[SoCalcaniac]

Evan, well said. I feel your angst. My only "joy" hockey wise is watching my two teams in the west, San Jose and Chicago, play hockey like it's supposed to be played. There isn't a night, win or lose, when I watch those two teams, that I don't think they have played hard. Even when they lose, like CHI lost to SJ the other night, I'm freaking entertained. I don't ask for alot, but apparently on the Canes side of fandom, I'm asking for a heck of alot.

Anyone who was at the final game of that season where Irbe was down in the minors and then came back up out of necessity will remember how the place went bonkers when they yanked Weekes. I loved Irbe, but it was so unfair to see Weekes skates off the ice to that, when Irbe had expressed his desire to be traded earlier. It does happen.

That Weekes thing flashed in my mind when I heard the whooping and all that crap. Ironically that was our season from hell, so it's pretty fitting. It was crappy when they did it to #80, and it was crappy last night.

Everyone has their perception or interpretation on what they experienced , but since I heard people making comments in my corner of hell in the RBC center, about Legace "needing to play" and "giving the Canes a chance" It's my personal experience, that anyone that was "clapping to support Cam" was seriously outnumbered and drowned out by those who had glee in their cheers when he was pulled.

[KaniacFever]

Elsewhere, i've been coming dangerously close to saying this for a while, and last night fairly clinched it - i'm really starting to think it's Sutter who is the offensive and leadership future of this team, not Staal. Sure, i realize Staal is playing injured again*, but i just see so much more spark from Sutter. And yeah, the team does tend to rally behind Staal, but i think a lot of that might be the hype... if things continue as they have been, i wouldn't be surprised to see the rally to pull behind Sutter instead. Particularly next season, when we will (hopefully) have a much younger team with many of Sutter's former-Rat teammates.

I might be wrong, but i'm really getting where i see that happening.



* - not that i'm convinced he was ever healthy in the first place, even on his return

Sutter also doesn't have 3-4 guys jumping on his back everytime he touches the puck either. Staal does allow that to get him frustrated way too often and he's got to learn to let it go. He needs to rise above that. But teams know he is our best offensive threat, you shut him down and you shut the team down. No one else on this team gets that many guys up in their face everytime they touch the puck.

As for cheering Cam getting the boot, well that's just wrong. I'm going to be honest and say I don't think Cam looked his best. Do I blame him, absolutly not, but that 3rd goal, was weak. And anyone can agree with MM and say that was Pitkanen for not tying up his man (which is true), but that's when your goalie is counted on to make that save. We've had a problem all year with our goalies whether its Cam, Leighton, or Legace not making that big save. I think him getting the boot was a combination of frustration and waking the team up. But it is a bit concerning that the guy has gotten the boot twice out of his last 3 starts. Makes you wonder if the leg is bothering him.

Oh and ya'll are experiencing now what i've experienced for many years of being a Cleveland Browns fan :lol:

[brindyfan]

KF, my theory is he is having trouble getting adjusted to the extra pads he started wearing after he got cut the 2nd time. He just does not seem to move as fast and I remember reading somewhere that he finds them very uncomfortable to use.

Also, I think we are playing Pitkanen too much and his shifts are too long. He looks to be conserving his energy at times.

[Convert]

Wow, lots of stuff going on after that debacle...my random thoughts:

1. I thought the booing in the third sucked. I have missed a lot of the recent games, so maybe I was just psyched to be watching something like hockey, but I did not feel the team gave up. They played better and harder in the third than in the 1st or 2nd---so why boo them then? If they had swapped it around and the third sucked--then boo lustily.

2. Not a fan of the you suck chant, but if it opens JR or PKs eyes, go for it.

3. Cullen's line was flying in the first while others seemed stuck in the mud.

4. There is definitely a big problem, injury-wise with Staal when he takes 0 face-offs. Can't really hide that when you keep him out of the face-off circle.

5. I don't get the "ride Joni to death" strategy like I did not get the "ride Corvo to death" strategy---sure play them more, but they other guys aren't THAT BAD that they can't play a few extra 40 second shifts.

6. Saturdays game is going to be very interesting.......

[Canesluver]

Did anyone start to think, after awhile, that it sounded more and more like the sound effect of Santa, "ho-ho-hoing," was heckling? :lol:

[brindyfan]

Did anyone start to think, after awhile, that it sounded more and more like the sound effect of Santa, "ho-ho-hoing," was heckling? :lol:

I thought I was the only one! And the timing of the Grinch appearance was PERFECT! :laugh:

[Kat]

I know there are a lot of polarizing figures on the team and coaching staff, but I don't know many folks at all who don't absolutely love Cam Ward. I have a hard time believing people were actually giving an ovation for him getting the hook. At the time it happened I really thought it was more of an attempt albeit a strange one to try to rally the team than anything else. Just my opinion of course.


I live with one. Granted, no-one in his mind will ever live up to Irbe, so he has never really like Ward, but now he pretty much hates him.


That being said, I am going to disagree and say I was happy to see Mo FINALLY pull a goalie when there was still a chance to win the game (granted this season there is little chance and of course it didn't help). One of the things I have always hated about this team is leaving in a goalie that is obviously struggling, for whatever reason, whether their D is hanging them out to dry or not.

If you let in 3 goals in the first 10 min, you should be pulled. Period. For your own sanity as a goalie, if nothing else... that is what backups are FOR. I don't see that as a you-suck move, I see it as team strategy.

[nccanes]

If you let in 3 goals in the first 10 min, you should be pulled. Period. For your own sanity as a goalie, if nothing else... that is what backups are FOR.

That's what we thought as well. Your first sentence was said by my kid verbatim.

[Greensboro Hurricanes]

<div><object width="480" height="365"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xbmkpt&related=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xbmkpt&related=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="365" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbmkpt_hurricanes-canadiens-highlights-122_sport">Hurricanes - Canadiens Highlights (12/23/09)</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/gatecitycanes">gatecitycanes</a>. - <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/us/channel/sport">Basketball, baseball, pro wrestling and more sports videos.</a></i></div>

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I didn't say the booing was classless (although I do think that - I just didn't say it). I said I think the Sucks chants are classless.

It doesn't matter in the least to me but, you did say it. You said the chant was classless and that you felt the same way about booing. I can agree that the chant is totally stupid. But my least favorite thing about a crappy season is the arguements about booing. Those CA and NE teams' fans would have booed months ago and it would be WAY uglier than the RBC has been. If people who pay good money for their seats want to boo well-paid grown men for an effort like last night they have every right to, IMO. And the hockey "fans" who think we don't deserve a team think we are stupid for NOT booing. I'll just stay stupid in their minds but I think folks have a right to boo. But folks had the right to cheer Cam being pulled last night and that doesn't stop me from wanting to slap them, lol. This fanbase has always eaten their goalies alive...and you can bet your a** that makes us look stupid.

[c-girl]

You know, after reading my post again, I see now that I actually did say that although that wasn't what I meant to say. I've going to have to stop trying to post - and doing just about everything - while we have a three year old in our house (grandson).

Anyway, I just haven't reached the Disgusted Stage with the team yet. I'm still somewhere between the Dismayed Stage and the Disappointed Stage. I'm not sure what stage I would have to be in to boo them. I just know I haven't gotten there yet.

[Scottysfistofdeath]

That being said, I am going to disagree and say I was happy to see Mo FINALLY pull a goalie when there was still a chance to win the game (granted this season there is little chance and of course it didn't help). One of the things I have always hated about this team is leaving in a goalie that is obviously struggling, for whatever reason, whether their D is hanging them out to dry or not.

That's what got me clapping. Seems like the first time I can remember recently (that I was watching) when a goalie got pulled at a decent crossroads in the game and with how lousy our season has been, that semi-intelligent coaching move was exciting.

I like Evan's point about the "old boys network". It's absolutely frustrating to have that going on, as even when we're terrible it weakens my faith in a decent solution being worked out that'll help salvage the team- I'm sure JR will keep making excuses for Mo (oh we've got injury trouble though! that explains everything). This team needs a coaching change, I'm not even sure if Mo will lead us to winning the NHL draft top pick.

I feel for Cully also, he's one of the LAST guys on that team that should be boo'd, it's already hard enough realizing he's one of our few tradeable assets on the roster, I really hope him, 6, 15, and 16 can keep their heads up as they're still enjoyable to watch night in and night out

[Alicia]

I'm watching episode 7, season 1 of Criminal Minds (thanks Alicia!! :)). Gave up after goal #5...
I would've been through with season 1 of Dexter last night if I hadn't watched this debacle...

[goalie33]

KF, my theory is he is having trouble getting adjusted to the extra pads he started wearing after he got cut the 2nd time. He just does not seem to move as fast and I remember reading somewhere that he finds them very uncomfortable to use.

He's been fine in previous games. He just had a bad night. Just before the third goal, Markov had a decent chance on a one-time from the right circle. Ward read the pass, got a jump on the pass, and got nowhere close to in position when the shot came (and luckily missed). Some nights, it just doesn't work, and it was one of those nights for Ward. I wasn't at the game, but I had two friends who watched the warmup from different locations tell me he had a bad warmup as well.

[Flanman]

As far as these Canes and the rest of the season... I hope we lose 'em all so that we can be assureed that we can dump salary and we can get the #1 (or 2) pick in the draft. If we are going to be mired in mediocrity, I want to get something out of it in the end.

The "you suck" chant - I'm one of the classless bunch. Personally, it helps me let off some of the steam that my $$$ and tickets are producing this season. Maurice sucks, and I want to make sure that the management in the building knows my opinion. I also boo'ed in the 3rd period. I booed a team that did not give me an NHL level of effort for 60 minutes and a coaching staff/management team. I applaud the effort by Cullen, Ruutu, Sutter, and Pitkanen each and every shift. Hell, I am contemplating printing up "Help us Obi Wan Sutter, you're our only hope:" shirts and banners. But the rest of that product on the ice, I want those who are competing to hear our cries in an effort have them become leaders and hopefully take a role in the locker room to wake up some of these sleep walking players.

I don't remember who said it first... but they are right. It is going to get a lot uglier in the stands before it gets better. I may be classless, I may be loud, but one thing I will never be, is apothetic.

Go Canes. Stop being a lazy bunch of sissies and be the proud group of warriors that we know and love. That goes for you too Mr. Rutherford.

[nccanes]

I hope we lose 'em all so that we can be assureed that we can dump salary and we can get the #1 (or 2) pick in the draft. If we are going to be mired in mediocrity, I want to get something out of it in the end.


Can we at least hope for .500 from here on out? :lol:

I think someone already did the math and we'd end up with fewer points than the last place Islanders of last year even going .500.

C'mon Flanman - throw us a bone here!:laugh:

It was kinda ironic that DURING the debacle on Wed night, Bob McKenzie was tweeting about Taylor Hall's awesome pre-Jrs game and even discussing that we (the Canes) would be getting a great player. :lol:

[Flanman]

Ok... a bone.

I hope that we win enough so that we have the opportunity to smile a few times and bid a proper farewell to the likes of Whit, Cully, Brindy, and the Secret Weapon. I want the guys who are trying hard to get a little bit of reward for their effort.

How about a .472 winning percentage the rest of the way... and a Welcome to Raleigh sign for Mr. Hall at this year's draft. And a pink slip for Uncle Mo so that he is NEVER EVER EVER able to taint the record of Mr. Hall.

You know what I hate the most... that it is Dec 26th and we are talking draft picks and not hockey.

Save us Obi Wan Sutter, you're our only hope!

[nccanes]

Thank you sir, .472 it is. :)

[Dammit100]

I'm with Flanman as being part of the classless booing crowd. So to those who complain about the booing and telling Mo that he sucks, why is this a problem? Do the "sucks" chants bother people when they're directed at the opposing goalie?

I'm not booing all of the players. Guys like Ruutu, Jokinen, Cullen, and Sutter who play hard, my hat is off to them. The guys like A. Ward who just mail it in, those are the ones i'm booing. I'm also booing the coach (since, as stated earlier, he sucks) as well as the fact that we've got a 4th line that eats up more payroll than some teams 1st line.

About 20 games ago I realized that this team wasn't gonna make the playoffs and so i'm pulling for the Canes to lose every game from here on out. Does this make me a bad fan? I say no. I want what's best for this team, which is a complete shake up and a top draft pick. As much as I hate Maurice, I want him to stay for the rest of the season, b/c I know he'll help get us that pick. Getting into the playoffs (or just barely missing them) would be the worst thing for this franchise as it would only validate the crap that's been going on this year and leave us with another mid-first round pick that won't likely be a top-liner that we sorely need.

I'm tired of seeing the same OLD players under the same OLD system turn in the same half-hearted effort when my ticket costs remain the same (or go up) year after year. So i'll be in the stands wearing the other teams jersey, or at least a non-canes jersey every game this season, having a good time, being happy for the canes when they play well, and rooting for Mo's demise all while being a loud, classless bad fan.

Sincerely,

a guy who's had season tickets for 7 years.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Do the "sucks" chants bother people when they're directed at the opposing goalie?

They don't "bother" me at all, but yep. I don't think it's classless, but I do think it's stupid to add "sucks". And it has nothing to do with not liking the word "sucks", since it's one of my personal favorites.

The "Miller" chant that an Oilers fan started in the ECF in 06 was the only decent goalie chant our building has ever had, IMO. The "suck" portion kills the chant off before half the building ever hears the goalies name. The continuous chants are way better IMO. But then, IMO, a large faction of the section who does the "sucks" chant most often never has wanted to get the building or team going so much as they want to make themselves look clever. *braces for flames*


And I'll defend anyone's right to boo but I do think those who really believe Aaron Ward is "mailing it in" this year are delusional. None of these guys are "mailing it in" IMO. But, it's easy for fans in the stands to just believe they are since there is no other easy explanation.

Sincerely,

a girl who's had season tickets for 8 years. (don't know the relevance but since we're counting ;) )

[Dammit100]

I put my season ticket holder part at the bottom just incase people want(ed) to write me off as a bandwagon fan, that was all.

I like our version of the goalie chant as it's different from what other NHL buildings do. And maybe you're right, A. Ward might not be mailing it in, he could just outright suck at playing defense.

[nccanes]

LOVED the Miller chant in the ECF and it was started by 2 Edmonton fans!

[Canesluver]

But then, IMO, a large faction of the section who does the "sucks" chant most often never has wanted to get the building or team going so much as they want to make themselves look clever. *braces for flames*

None from me, because I agree with you 100%.

[nccanes]

Yup. I understand the desire to blow off steam, most people that are paying or devoting time to watch game after game feel the same way. But not everyone who goes to the games and pays for their seats wants to hear non-stop "jokes" and insults yelled at the top of someones lungs. Not everyone thinks John Hinkley and Stephen Hawking "jokes" are funny. There's something to be said for everything in moderation. Remember that everyone there is spending their hard earned money too.

I did LMAO at Flan admonishing the "downstairs people" for not joining in a chant, though.

At some point, Canes fans that are non-stop critical of the team (I'll leave Mo out of the conversation) isn't really any more "funny" than an opposing fan doing it. My 2 cents.

[Dammit100]

I won't throw flames your way, but i'll just take your closed-minded perception of 328 and leave it there. sure we want to be clever, it adds to the fun of the game. i'm sorry for trying to be original and add something new.

are you ok with "cheaters never win" or other things we've added and have other sections participating in? or should we only chant "lets go canes" and "lets go hurr-i-canes"? just looking for clarification on how to enjoy ourselves at the game.

[nccanes]

Here's the deal. Everyone has a line where things get blurry on something being cool or uncool. Then everyone has a line that's going too far. Since Brind'Amour sucks this year, would you start a "Brind'Amour, Brind'Amour, Brind'Amour....you suck" chant? Or if Jussi was a whipping boy, would you make a joke about him losing his father? My guess is the answer is no - understandably.

We all have that line where things cross from good fun to bad taste and there's a lot of room in between.

You can call it "closed minded" but it's just a difference of opinion. I could say you are "closed minded" for not even entertaining the thought that not everyone thinks the "jokes" are funny or even mildly entertaining every night. And maybe, just maybe you could dial it back now and then. Or at least say it loud enough for the friends around you to hear, not the people sitting 2 sections over that don't give a ****?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I did LMAO at Flan admonishing the "downstairs people" for not joining in a chant, though.


LOL. As a downstairs person, I get annoyed with how dead some of the sections are at times. But I can also tell you that 95% of the time the chants from upstairs have ended by the time I hear them at all. (hence, half the reason the "you suck" chants aren't my fav)

[Dammit100]

But not everyone who goes to the games and pays for their seats wants to hear non-stop "jokes" and insults yelled at the top of someones lungs. Not everyone thinks John Hinkley and Stephen Hawking "jokes" are funny.

haha.. i know that's directed at me, and i'm good with that. I realize not everything I say is funny, but i'm offended that you think that's the top of my lungs. maybe I should just clap my hands when the music says to, follow along with Mean Gene (I refuse to call him big Mike) when he blows the horn, and turn my eye to the sky for a t-shirt.

[KaniacFever]

If you want to boo, then boo, but I won't do it. And when you boo, you are booing the whole team. Guys like Sutter, Ruutu, etc are hearing the boos just as much as guys like AWard, Brind'Amour, etc.

However, looking on the other side, I too have given this org my fair share of money. Season ticket holder for 7 years (since we are counting) and quite frankly, I shouldn't have to listen to the chic behind me yell out to AWard that he is a POS on a consistant basis and tell the whole freakin section how much she hates him. I frankly don't want to spend $50 to hear people beatch and moan on a consistant basis and do it for a full 60 minutes. Its quite freakin annoying. This team sucks this year, nothing is going to change, beatching and complaining at the arena is not going to automatically make this team better.

And put me in the boat that a chant of just the goalies name is 100 times better than the goalie goalie goalie you suck chant. Its just stupid IMHO. And its even dumber when the damn goalie is currently winning the game, but yet you're screamin he sucks. Real clever.

What section 328 should be doing is getting a WARD-O chant going when he does make one of those awesome saves. Just sayin'

[Dammit100]

We do yell "O-WARD" for him when he makes great saves. Despite the pub, we're not all bad people.

[nccanes]

However, looking on the other side, I too have given this org my fair share of money. Season ticket holder for 7 years (since we are counting) and quite frankly, I shouldn't have to listen to the chic behind me yell out to AWard that he is a POS on a consistant basis and tell the whole freakin section how much she hates him. I frankly don't want to spend $50 to hear people beatch and moan on a consistant basis and do it for a full 60 minutes. Its quite freakin annoying. This team sucks this year, nothing is going to change, beatching and complaining at the arena is not going to automatically make this team better.

That was my point. We all pay to sit there and try to enjoy the game - perhaps some people can consider that their loud "coping" takes away from someone else's enjoyment. And we're all there to have a good time, right?

I can guarantee you that I'm saying sarcastic **** to whomever I'm at the game with and I guarantee that SHC and Mr SHC are doing the same - the difference is that they just tell each other, they don't shout it.

Like anything else, some things just get old.

[andyt]

I won't throw flames your way, but i'll just take your closed-minded perception of 328 and leave it there. sure we want to be clever, it adds to the fun of the game. i'm sorry for trying to be original and add something new.

are you ok with "cheaters never win" or other things we've added and have other sections participating in? or should we only chant "lets go canes" and "lets go hurr-i-canes"? just looking for clarification on how to enjoy ourselves at the game.

It adds nothing to the game. The "goalie you suck" chant doesn't bother me, but it's stupid to start it 2 minutes into the game when we haven't even taken a shot on goal yet. The "cheaters never win" on an opponents penalty is pretty clever. But the "Thomas Plekanec has a 3rd nipple" 5 times or the "Obiwan Sutter" 5 times or the sustained booing for most of the last half of the 3rd period is ridiculous. It takes away from MY enjoyment of the game. I pay just as much (more actually) as you do for my tickets and I've been a STH longer than you have, so you get no points for that from me for not being a bandwagon fan.

You might not have noticed that not everyone in 328 enjoys your antics. You're not only there for your enjoyment, you can't take away from others' experience. You don't have to be a cheerleader for the team, you don't have to watch the game through rose colored glasses. But don't ruin the game for me.

[Alicia]

Do the "sucks" chants bother people when they're directed at the opposing goalie? Just to chime in, yes. Particularly, as it's been pointed out already, when the alleged "sucky" goalie doesn't actually suck at all.

[SC06]

Just to chime in, yes. Particularly, as it's been pointed out already, when the alleged "sucky" goalie doesn't actually suck at all.

Butters here. I have issue with it, I am quite sure that section is going to start a "Leighton sucks" chant tonight and IMO he does not deserve to be treated that way. He was always a solid teammate and treated Canes fans well when interacting with us. He is a good guy that wanted to remain with the Canes.

[Dammit100]

The "goalie you suck" chant doesn't bother me, but it's stupid to start it 2 minutes into the game when we haven't even taken a shot on goal yet. The "cheaters never win" on an opponents penalty is pretty clever. But the "Thomas Plekanec has a 3rd nipple" 5 times or the "Obiwan Sutter" 5 times or the sustained booing for most of the last half of the 3rd period is ridiculous.

ok, the goalie chant isn't done until at least 5 minutes into the game. the "third nipple" one i've only said about 5 times all year, let alone 5 in one game. I get the criticisms, and am fine with it, but don't exaggerate what really happens.

to summarize so we can all let this go:

328 (or at least individuals in the section) does some things that people like, and some things people dont. we're apparently polarizing, but to my knowledge, not profane. some people don't like hearing certain chants (hell, i HATE the horn). Let's all accept what happens at the game, and as long as no one is yelling LEGITIMATELY hateful or profane things, just chalk it up as things that happen in the arena.

[c-girl]

What I don't like about the chants declaring that the opposition goalie sucks is that too many times mere seconds after the chant, the allegedly sucky goalie makes a speculator save - or even worse, our own goalie lets in a soft one. If I were doing the chants, that little bit of hockey karma might make me reconsider. :)

[Flanman]

As I said earlier... It's gonna get a lot uglier in here.

You have a problem with me... come talk to me at the game. Otherwise, cheer the damn team on.

Love it or hate it, we Caniacs are a passionate bunch. We are the loudest house in the NHL. Our loudmouthed section is a part of that. For the most part, folks who are in 328 know the area and know what they are in for. For those who don't, welcome to a professional arena and not some homogonized Dean Smith Center crowd. As was eloquently mentioned earlier, most of the upstairs is noise once it reaches the floor, so maybe, just maybe, the noise helps a bit to get the team moving. I've tried going all positive, I've tried going all negative, and the hockey gods have responded to neither. So, like Frank Sinatra, until forced to do differently, I'm going to enjoy the game my way. I would encourage each and every one here to do the same. I'm done with the "lets b1tch about the way we cheer" thread and have moved on.

Go Canes. Paul Maurice Sucks. That is all.

[nccanes]

Otherwise, cheer the damn team on.


Sounds good. I'm not a big horn fan (I only respond during the playoffs to that Caps-rip-off), but I heard some folks chanting crap that wasn't LETS GO CANES during the honk, honk, honk stuff. How about letting the folks who want to chant LETS GO CANES do that?

You see - sometimes stuff other people do bother you. It works both ways.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

I'm with Flanman as being part of the classless booing crowd. So to those who complain about the booing and telling Mo that he sucks, why is this a problem? Do the "sucks" chants bother people when they're directed at the opposing goalie?

I'm not booing all of the players. Guys like Ruutu, Jokinen, Cullen, and Sutter who play hard, my hat is off to them. The guys like A. Ward who just mail it in, those are the ones i'm booing. I'm also booing the coach (since, as stated earlier, he sucks) as well as the fact that we've got a 4th line that eats up more payroll than some teams 1st line.

About 20 games ago I realized that this team wasn't gonna make the playoffs and so i'm pulling for the Canes to lose every game from here on out. Does this make me a bad fan? I say no. I want what's best for this team, which is a complete shake up and a top draft pick. As much as I hate Maurice, I want him to stay for the rest of the season, b/c I know he'll help get us that pick. Getting into the playoffs (or just barely missing them) would be the worst thing for this franchise as it would only validate the crap that's been going on this year and leave us with another mid-first round pick that won't likely be a top-liner that we sorely need.

I'm tired of seeing the same OLD players under the same OLD system turn in the same half-hearted effort when my ticket costs remain the same (or go up) year after year. So i'll be in the stands wearing the other teams jersey, or at least a non-canes jersey every game this season, having a good time, being happy for the canes when they play well, and rooting for Mo's demise all while being a loud, classless bad fan.

Sincerely,

a guy who's had season tickets for 7 years.

Hi, I'd like to sign up for your newsletter.

(In other words, this post hits dead on everything I try to say even though I just end up coming across as a douche)

[Dammit100]

we were chanting "NO MORE HORN" and we got the message that you're bothered by us, and get waaaaaay too butt-hurt about it. Like Flanman and myself have said, this isn't kindergarten, so until there's something profane and/or outright offensive, deal. with. it.

[nccanes]

we were chanting "NO MORE HORN" and we got the message that you're bothered by us, and get waaaaaay too butt-hurt about it. Like Flanman and myself have said, this isn't kindergarten, so until there's something profane and/or outright offensive, deal. with. it.

As I said earlier today, if it's bothersome enough, I'll get my ticket rep to move my seats. It isn't and I haven't. I was responding to Flan's post. I didn't keep the topic alive. I had a great time tonight - not 1 single person bugged me 1 bit. So lay off the "butt-hurt" how about it?

But it's pretty hard to claim that everyone should just deal in their own way, when you take issue with (chanting over) fans....dealing in their own way? No one is trying to shout over the 328 folks - they are just typing what amounts to pixels on a message board.

If you want to live and let live, fine. Then do it yourself.

[Dammit100]

But it's pretty hard to claim that everyone should just deal in their own way, when you take issue with (chanting over) fans....dealing in their own way?

wasn't it this whole issue of some of us being "classless" that started this whole disagreement?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Guess the pot and the kettle are both black. Who'da thunk it.

[nccanes]

^^It wasn't me, but I believe someone suggested the chant in third period of the Habs game (I wasn't there at that point) that had "you suck" in it was classless. I presume it was Mo, you suck or Maurice, you suck - again I wasn't there. And I'm guessing that 328 was involved, but I wasn't there.

My post you are quoting was in response to Flanman's post about "just cheer on the team" if you didn't like what was said by others. I'm just posting that it's easier to accept that if you allow fans to cheer their own way too.

Look - I really don't give a rip one way or another. If I reach my tolerance level as far as the crap on the ice or the crap in the stands, I have every opportunity to make a change (stop going, move my seat, whatever). I was merely participating in a discussion.

[c-girl]

^^It wasn't me, but I believe someone suggested the chant in third period of the Habs game (I wasn't there at that point) that had "you suck" in it was classless. I presume it was Mo, you suck or Maurice, you suck - again I wasn't there. And I'm guessing that 328 was involved, but I wasn't there.

My post you are quoting was in response to Flanman's post about "just cheer on the team" if you didn't like what was said by others. I'm just posting that it's easier to accept that if you allow fans to cheer their own way too.

Look - I really don't give a rip one way or another. If I reach my tolerance level as far as the crap on the ice or the crap in the stands, I have every opportunity to make a change (stop going, move my seat, whatever). I was merely participating in a discussion.


That "someone" was me. I said I thought some of the chants are classless. I never mentioned any particular person, group, or section. In fact, I had no idea where the chants started. Apparently some members of one particular section have decided to take responsibility for it and be defensive. However, this incessant three-day discussion hasn't changed my mind. I don't like some of the chants and I'm never going to like them. So what? Why does anybody care? Not liking something is NOT a demand that it stop. It is not a condemnation. It is not an invitation to battle. It just means that one person has an opinion. The chant thing is just not my style. I firmly believe in positive reinforcement and don't seen any value to those chants. And that's my opinion about it. Everybody's got one.

[goalie33]

Voicing your opinion is more than fine, but if calling something "classless" isn't a condemnation, I don't know what is.

[Shell]

well, this is not a discussion that people are just going to agree on and then move along. I think everyone who wanted to say their piece has done so, let's drop it and move on to other things now. There is nowhere good left to go here.

Thanks.