Game Thread: @ Toronto, 12/28/10

[Canesluver]

Time to right the ship..... if that's possible!!

Puck-drop at 7:00PM

LET'S GO CANES!!

[e2ipiand1]

I feel good about this one. We won four in a row, had the bad game against Tampa Bay, and then had two close games where a five minute major was the probable difference between winning and losing.

[Alicia]

If we can't win in TO, we have a serious problem.

[MEBANECANESFAN]

If we can't win in TO, we have a serious problem.

The sad thing about this statement is the Canes aren't really much better than TO so expecting a win on the road against them is being optimistic to say the least. :beatup: Or maybe I've lowered my expectations too much. Hard to say at this point. :D

[nccanes]

This is Skinner's first trip to TO correct?

The next stretch is pretty crucial. We'll see if they can rise to the challenge of teams they SHOULD beat.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I feel good about this one. We won four in a row, had the bad game against Tampa Bay, and then had two close games where a five minute major was the probable difference between winning and losing.

LOL...I have the exact opposite feeling. We won 4 in a row and now we've lost 3 in a row....feels like we're owed one more.

[freepark]

In Toronto now, and hockeycentral says the only potential hitch in tomorrow night's matchup is that the Leafs are still stranded in Newark. They didn't make it out last night in the blizzard, and EWR has been closed all day. Wouldn't that suck.

[SoCalcaniac]

This is Skinner's first trip to TO correct?



Yep first game "home" that should be good eh?

Unless the Leafs are still stuck in Newark- oh gosh can you imagine? Freepark thanks for the update- keep us posted if you see/hear anything else on this.

I agree, this and the OTT game are must win games in my mind. We have zero room for error at this point- if our intent is to make hay and get into playoff position.

[c-girl]

Just saw a tweet that the Leafs plane still can't take off and the players are headed back to the hotel now after waiting on the plane for four hours. They'll fly home tomorrow.

[KaniacFever]

Just saw a tweet that the Leafs plane still can't take off and the players are headed back to the hotel now after waiting on the plane for four hours. They'll fly home tomorrow.

OK, so now we are waiting for them. Flying in day of game screws up all their game day routines. No excuse to not win this game ;)

[nccanes]

In Toronto now, and hockeycentral says the only potential hitch in tomorrow night's matchup is that the Leafs are still stranded in Newark. They didn't make it out last night in the blizzard, and EWR has been closed all day. Wouldn't that suck.

That WOULD suck freepark. I can't imagine the Leafs won't be first in line this morning to get out.

I was reading some tweets last night about how this 'adventure' in travel has been a great team bonding experience for the Leafs with all the time on the bus and waiting on the plane. One can only hope it also had some physical downside that will be evident tonight.

Looks like Gustavasson in net. (http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/912690--leafs-goalie-jonas-gustavsson-striving-for-a-streak)

Toronto will likely find itself reliant on Gustavsson again Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes — if they can get home to play them. The heavy snowstorms that have blanketed the East Coast forced the Leafs to spend Monday night in Short Hill, N.J., after they waited four hours on a runway before abandoning hope of getting back to Toronto. They were to try again Tuesday morning to get home in time for the game against the Hurricanes.

If they do, the Leafs are hoping the Gustavsson who showed up against the Devils makes another appearance. That’s the one who raises hope that he can be Toronto’s goaltender of the future. Not only was he calm in the Jersey game, he was also a relaxing influence on his teammates.

[superdave]

Here is my prediction...

Canes win this one.

Currently the Canes are 15-15-4. Darth Mo is 427-428-99(T)-57(OTL) all time.

We win this one to climb back over .500 and put Darth Mo at .500. It's the perfect storm.

[AbNormal27]

Section 321, Row 17, Seats 18 & 19. Your's truly and my 5 1/2 year old son Ethyn will be in attendance! This will be Ethyn's first NHL game and Papa is over the top excited! Hoping to see some Hurricanes players in person and to meet up with LGC'er "freepark", as well as my nephew who fell into some nice lower bowl seats. Go Hurricanes! BELIEVE!

Aaryn

[Convert]

If we hold true to form, Canes win this one by something like 5-2, then come back tomorrow night and lose 5-1 to ottawa

[SoCalcaniac]

Aaryn, have a blast! How fun will this be for you and Ethyn!

Leafs flew in finally from Newark, and it's been quite an adventure eh? I follow Jonas Siegel from AM 640 and his Eat.Sleep.Leafs blog (http://www.640toronto.com/Blogs/EatSleepLeafs/BlogEntry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10184798), and it really does sound like they did bond, on top of the dizzying drama of the weather related delay.

Siegel tweeted they were going to get a "morning skate" in once they got to TO. This is going to be interesting no matter how you slice it.

Markham, Ontrario boy Skinner gets to play in front of the family and apprently a bunch of friends too. That'll be a great storyline I'm sure.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

The Leafs bonded....great. I bet their fans will get free queso tonight.

Section 321, Row 17, Seats 18 & 19. Your's truly and my 5 1/2 year old son Ethyn will be in attendance! This will be Ethyn's first NHL game and Papa is over the top excited! Hoping to see some Hurricanes players in person and to meet up with LGC'er "freepark", as well as my nephew who fell into some nice lower bowl seats. Go Hurricanes! BELIEVE!

Aaryn

Woo hooo! :spin: This is seriously reason enough for our guys to freakin' win!!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

YES!!! Way to go Skinner!! :spin:


Paul Maurice must be a genius!!

Just sayin'. :evil:;)

[KaniacFever]

I knew Skinner was gonna get one. He just has that competive, show off in a good way nature about him. Good for him.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

OK, seriously, can we not have ONE GAME where I don't feel like the refs are the worst thing I've ever seen? JUST ONE?!?! Hell, the team is bad enough, I dislike the coaching staff, the GM pisses me off, do I have to see sh*tty refs, too? It's just too much. :mad:

[KaniacFever]

When is the league going to see and realize that their officials are just the ****iest part about this sport. I swear every damn night, there is atleast 1 game where the officials are a cause of a goal because they missed crap.

[nccanes]

OK, seriously, can we not have ONE GAME where I don't feel like the refs are the worst thing I've ever seen? JUST ONE?!?! Hell, the team is bad enough, I dislike the coaching staff, the GM pisses me off, do I have to see sh*tty refs, too? It's just too much. :mad:

:laugh::laugh::laugh:


When the showed they long shot of Skinner's goal, there was a little kid with a Canes jersey sitting next to his Leaf-clad Dad and he just popped right up with glee. Too cute. Nice to get another Caniac on TV following Staal's.

This game will be interesting. I don't know why I dislike Kessel, but I do. Odd. Someone put him on his ass please. :lol:

Hey - I wonder if Corvo has money riding on how many times he hits someone with a point shot. :lol:

Ooh yay - we lead again!

[Alicia]

Seriously ???

[Darkwing]

has there EVER been a time where Skinner didn't divert the attention on him to his line? in his interview "yea our line had a good shift and it bounced to me" ..if that were me, I would have told Tripp "yea I bear wrestled 3 guys off of me, pirouetted four times, jumped over 6 guys, broke phaneuf's nose, spit on a ref, kicked it off my skate three times for luck then told the sasquatch goalie to move before I hunted his family down while they slept"

And I'm alot older than he is! Kid isn't supposed to be that f'ing mature.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

^LMAO.



Wow. NICE pass. Toronto must REALLY be bad. :lol:

With Dwyer on the PP!!!


I hate Kessel, too E! And, terrible and shallow and boy do I have no room to judge as this is, I think it's mostly because I think he is sooo ugly! :lol:

[Alicia]

has there EVER been a time where Skinner didn't divert the attention on him to his line? in his interview "yea our line had a good shift and it bounced to me" ..if that were me, I would have told Tripp "yea I bear wrestled 3 guys off of me, pirouetted four times, jumped over 6 guys, broke phaneuf's nose, spit on a ref, kicked it off my skate three times for luck then told the sasquatch goalie to move before I hunted his family down while they slept"

And I'm alot older than he is! Kid isn't supposed to be that f'ing mature.:laugh::laugh:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Boychuk with Staal and Cole. Do they have my living room bugged? :crazy:

But where'd Sammy go?

[Darkwing]

poor Tripp, trying to figure out why the lines are being shuffled. didn't know it was cause of #36. Twitter knew before him!

[superdave]

poor Tripp, trying to figure out why the lines are being shuffled. didn't know it was cause of #36. Twitter knew before him!

The list of things that Tripp can't figure out is long.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Twitter apparently knew before me, too.

There's a "canes_gameday" Twitterer too?? OMFG how many freaking people do I have to follow (NHL_Canes, Sundheim, Branecky, Forslund, Chip) just to get the info from the Canes org?!?! Grrrr.:mad:

[Darkwing]

The list of things that Tripp can't figure out is long.

he's a perfect example of friends of the canes family bringing mediocrity to the table ;) ANYWAY i digress. After carefully evaluating the players, as much as I wish I was a skinner style skater, I think that my skating mostly resembles #16's.

[Canesluver]

What's thong? It's your favorite commercial, lgc'ers! :laugh:

[ButtersSaysNo]

Staal and Joni competing to see who can get most penalty minutes.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Can we kill a penalty, please?!? Poor Cam.

What's thong? It's your favorite commercial, lgc'ers! :laugh:

Didn't hear a thing. One of us always screams through it until the other mutes it. :D It's like the "don't look, don't look, don't look!" alert we use at games when Linda Craft is on the big screen. ;)

[Canesluver]

Speaking of Linda Craft......

At Sunday's game, on the birthday list on the jumbotron, there was a message noting Linda Kraft's 70th birthday.

At first I didn't notice the "K," so I was thinking Linda Craft really doesn't look too bad for 70!! :laugh:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Staal and Joni competing to see who can get most penalty minutes.
And now McBain wants in on it.

[KaniacFever]

You can stop taking penalties tonight fools

ETA: looks like Timmy is our 3rd goalie. Now stsy out of the freakin box. Have we had any puck possession this period?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

WOW to Cam Ward and Tim Gleason.

Still kinda pathetic PK overall but, WOW.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

OK, we've called everything on us....would you like to call a penalty on TO now? Or are the refs wearing giant Maple Leafs under their unis? :crazy:

[WillLikeWhoa091]

wtf White not getting back on that icing.

I'm really starting to be over this team.

[toastmasterbone]

I don't think I'd noticed it so much before tonight, but what's with the Canes coughing up the puck every time we run into some pressure? We're like an friggin' NHL pinata.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

A PP....finally.

Dear Hurricanes---Please attempt to suck less. Thanks.


OMG, poor Boychuk. WTF.

[KaniacFever]

I'm so sick and tired watching Cam stand on his head and keeping these losers into games. We know he's one of the best, you don't have to make him prove it night in and night out.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

I just realized that even though this game is tied, I'm feeling like it's a loss.

I'm a bitter old man when it comes to the Hurricanes. haha

[KaniacFever]

I hate harping on the refs, but, once again they prove themselves to be sh!t. So Timmy gets thrown out for a clean hit, yet in St. Louis, Toews gets boarded, leaves the game, and no call. I swear every night in every game, these refs show more and more what crap the really are.

And I too feel like this is a lose as we look like we are playing as if we are already down.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

Gotta cheer for Dwyer, and that was all Boychuk's hard work.

.... then he goes and takes a penalty like that.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

WOO HOO!!! GREAT play by Buychuk, and great job Timmy, and yippee for Dwyer!!!


C'mon guys, finish this thing!!

[Canesluver]

Wooo! Way to go Gleason & Dwyer!!

Tim needs a star tonight.


Edited:
Of COURSE it's followed by a penalty!!! Grrrrrrr!!! :(

[SouthernHockeyChick]

And now a freakin' PK....dammit Boychuk.


I'm with Tripp...KILL this for the kid!

[WillLikeWhoa091]

Bulls**t call on Staal.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Bulls**t call on Staal.

Agreed.


Not sure we really deserved that W but, I'll sure take it.

I do think the refs were particularly bad to the benefit of Toronto but we were a bit stinking.

Damn, WTH is up with guys jumping Sutter after games are over lately. :lol:

[Canesluver]

Woooooo!!!! A win!!! and zippo for TO!!!

:nanner:

[WillLikeWhoa091]

Old guy on Rogers Sportsnet just said that Ward is the best Canadian goalie out there right now, beating out (specifically) Luongo and Fleury.

[superdave]

Here is my prediction...

Canes win this one.

Currently the Canes are 15-15-4. Darth Mo is 427-428-99(T)-57(OTL) all time.

We win this one to climb back over .500 and put Darth Mo at .500. It's the perfect storm.

You are welcome

[KaniacFever]

Old guy on Rogers Sportsnet just said that Ward is the best Canadian goalie out there right now, beating out (specifically) Luongo and Fleury.

100% agree with that. He once again bailed our asses out and allowed us to win that game.

I swear this team is making me so jekyll and hyde. I'm pissed to no end, then Sutter, Boychuk, Gleason, and Dwyer pull a shift like that.

Here's hoping they got all their damn penalties out of the way tonight.

[SoCalcaniac]

Old guy on Rogers Sportsnet just said that Ward is the best Canadian goalie out there right now, beating out (specifically) Luongo and Fleury.

Good of Bill Watters to notice what others already KNOW - what with Cam playing here in little ol' Raleigh and being a Conn Smyth Winner and all. *eyeroll* (RogerSportsnet announcers/Leaf Homers drive me batty, lol)

This game was "interesting" just like we all talked about. I don't know about anyone else, but this incessent penalty taking has got to stop. I know the refs suck, but don't even give them a reason for craps sake. It's just exhausting. We look horrifying when we try to kill too- too much running around.

We weren't efficient, we weren't showing jump when a team spent the last 2 1/2 days in the planes, trains and autos mode just to get home.

SO happy for Boychuk he played so well, and I was stunned he got bumped to play up with #12 & #26. So pleased for Dwyer & Gleason. I get highly irritated when our captain gets a little too snarly- he had great moments in his game tonight, that move on The Monster for the 2nd goal, good stuff- some of the play away from the puck, blech. He's too good of a player to go down that road.


What can one say about CAM WARD? I hate to see him be Mr. Hero every friggin time--- oh Joni & the guy trying to emulate him, McBain--- please stop the madness with the lack of discipline. STOP IT. Our D needs to be harder on the puck. ALL OF THEM. The Leafs had wayyy too much room to move out there.

SHC- LOL'd at your Kessel is ugly comment. I really tried to like him in BOS, but couldn't get over the (real) Caveman look about him. :lol: Plus I think he's a little too soft and disappears wayyyyy too often.

Yeah for the Markham, Ontario boy Skinner; he really lives for the big stage- none bigger than the Centre of the Hockey Universe :) Darkwing- your maturity assessment of Skinner, he's quite something for sure. Oh, & yeah for Aaryn & Ethyn at Ethyn's first Canes game--- A win!

[SoCalcaniac]

HA- Did anyone listen to the FB audio from Staal? "our GM came to visit in the 2nd intermission- he wasn't too happy"...... Accountability, lol.

[nccanes]

ha! Glad to see JR trying to put some pressure on the fat and happy N Carolina boys! :lol:

I can only imagine Skinner's eyes when JR rolled in. Talk about learning every step of the way.

Terrible 2nd, but thought the first and third were good enough to deserve the W.

And I agree about Kessel....he looks like he could be a Cupcakes when he grows up. :evil: :lol:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

^ LOL. Yeah, I used to think it was baby-fat when he first came into the league but, uhhhhhh..... Looks like it's Martin Brodeur fat. :evil:;)

(no idea why I love calling Marty fat but it just makes me happy:lol:)

[kermelbar]

(no idea why I love calling Marty fat but it just makes me happy:lol:)

Me, too. :D "Princess Marty" also blisses me out.

[toastmasterbone]

Really sorry to see the Juice get hurt, but flabbergasted to see Boychuk up on the 1st line, and excited to see Skinner move to center. Lil' Dude was 63% in his 8 faceoffs. Not that we'll see it again for the rest of the year, but that glimpse of him in his more natural position was a pleasant surprise.

[KaniacFever]

Really sorry to see the Juice get hurt, but flabbergasted to see Boychuk up on the 1st line, and excited to see Skinner move to center. Lil' Dude was 63% in his 8 faceoffs. Not that we'll see it again for the rest of the year, but that glimpse of him in his more natural position was a pleasant surprise.

Skinner was moved back to center vs Washington with Ruutu and Jokinen flanking him. Started the game last night that way as well, until Jokinen got hurt. Then they moved him back to wing some. Bummed that the Juice got hurt cause I was really liking the looks of that line.

[freepark]

Notes on seeing the game in the ACC. First - great arena - unbelievable selection of food concessions (though I never found beer I liked), a perennially full house makes it a festive atmosphere. It's almost like the Leafs fans (must have been 99.7%) don't know, or don't care that their management puts crap on the ice. When Skinner got that first one down in our end and I bounded out of my seat to cheer - I think I might have heard my echo. That's not how it goes in our house. Also - despite getting pretty much all the calls - the fans were pretty certain, and vocal about how they got robbed. For my part - I just kept saying, Joni? WTF??

I encountered one guy at the airport who noticed the canes gear and took the oppty to vent about the Leafs, he's boycotting, said the management has no incentive to put a good team out there, cause they always sell out even though they've sucked for years (his words).

I spent $41 on 2 beers, a Reuben Sandwich and a Poutine Dog (don't follow my mistake there) so the fare was pricey - but in the end the W made the trip and the visit to Toronto that much more enjoyable. Fans weren't hostile, but not really welcoming either - one guy in the underground after the game said congrats - the only others who approached pretty much just snidely asked why anybody would be a Caniac - and they weren't looking for an answer. Not wanting to start a row - I kept the "those who've seen the Cup hoisted in their building in their lifetime" line to myself.

Didn't meet up with ABnormal - that's on us, b/c we didnt' make a plan and communicate - and in the full house, the chaos pregame and intermission was more than I'd expected.

We're at the ariport now, heading for Ottawa, where I think our seats are down front center ice. GO CANES!

[nccanes]

Thanks for taking the time to report in freepark! Hope you get another W.

[toastmasterbone]

Skinner was moved back to center vs Washington with Ruutu and Jokinen flanking him. Started the game last night that way as well, until Jokinen got hurt. Then they moved him back to wing some. Bummed that the Juice got hurt cause I was really liking the looks of that line.

Thanks, KF. Leave it to me to pick the Caps game as the one to miss in lieu of a game of strip Candyland.

[superdave]

Thanks, KF. Leave it to me to pick the Caps game as the one to miss in lieu of a game of strip Candyland.

Did you score? Who won?

We need details.

[toastmasterbone]

Well, the "Lollipop Woods" will forever have a new meaning to me. I'll leave it at that.

We just went under contract on a new house in southern Hillsborough. Strip Candyland is how we roll at Chez Toast when we're in a celebratory mood.

I'd tell you more about the game, but I'm currently drafting my cover letter to SHC on why she and dboon need to buy my Victorian farmhouse out here on the third ring of Saturn.

[KaniacFever]

Notes on seeing the game in the ACC. First - great arena - unbelievable selection of food concessions (though I never found beer I liked), a perennially full house makes it a festive atmosphere. It's almost like the Leafs fans (must have been 99.7%) don't know, or don't care that their management puts crap on the ice. When Skinner got that first one down in our end and I bounded out of my seat to cheer - I think I might have heard my echo. That's not how it goes in our house. Also - despite getting pretty much all the calls - the fans were pretty certain, and vocal about how they got robbed. For my part - I just kept saying, Joni? WTF??



Leaf nation is cracking me up on the whole, "refs screwed us, we got robbed" thing. 8 power plays for them and 3 for us, yet somehow the refs are Carolina homers :lol:

Oh and they are pissed that Dwyer tripped a guy, then 2 minutes later scored, cause he should have been in the box. But when the 2 reasonable leaf fans reminded them that Crabb got away with a hook that directly resulted in Kessel's second, that was ok. They are too much.

Glad you had a great time. Toronto is a very neat city, love that place.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'd tell you more about the game, but I'm currently drafting my cover letter to SHC on why she and dboon need to buy my Victorian farmhouse out here on the third ring of Saturn.

:laugh: If I thought there was any way in hell I could sell my current house for even what we still owe on the mortgage, much less what we paid for it, I might be.....no, I'd probably be moving to Denver (where my dream job is of course currently open and I've been given all but an offer...just when I can't possibly do it financially *sigh*).


Admitting I'm woefully stupid about eastern NC geography....will the new digs put you closer to Raleigh?

[toastmasterbone]

Yes. What time is the party?

(Southern Hillsborough bumps up against Chapel Hill, right off of I-40.)