Game thread...Canes vs. Florida 10/13/03

[crazy4canes]

The Hurricanes host the Panthers tomorrow night for the second time this season. The Panthers have one win and one tie so far while the Canes are looking for their first win.

So far, the Canes haven't had much luck scoring goals which is making it hard on everyone. Weekes has kept the opponent to two goals per game so far but the offense will need to do their part by finding the back of the net. Staal will be looking for his first NHL goal. Maurice juggled the lines a bit late in the game Saturday which will likely continue until the lines click.

We'll probably see a Luongo/Weekes rematch. The intensity level will probably be kicked up a notch for this one as well.

So that's the setting. I'll update with the pregame skate when it's available. Enjoy and GO CANES!

As promised....the pregame skate (http://www.caneshockey.com/news/news.asp?articleid=1114).

[Jeff O Rocks]

I think the guys are tired of this losing BS.......I look for a great showing by the defense and the offense. I predict we will score 3 goals and WIN!! Go Canes! :spin:

[Morphine Boy]

Tonight's the night.

Time for the first win of the season.

We play the game that we played against Jersey and that first talley in the win colomn is a shoe-in.

[stewart123]

I'm guessing this will be an ugly, physical game. I haven't seen the officials assigned to the game, but that will have a lot to do with the outcome.

If anyone needs one or two tickets, I've got extras in section 106 row Q available for the cost of a private message.

You'll have to give me an email address that you can print from, and use the 'print your own tickets' function.

EDITED: Tickets have been claimed. Should be a fun time!!

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

Would anyone classify tonight's game as a must win? I think I am. Even though it's only two games in the season, they need that first win to set the tone for the club. The past two games have been played well, but they still lost. I think they really need to win, or else confidence will drop away fast.

Another question...what will it take this season to replace Mo? If you were the GM, when and would you do it? I think I would wait till mid November. If this is not a winning team, I think it's time to look elsewhere. If we don't make the playoffs this season, I think it's time to blow up the team and start over. We got a good young core that we can use to build around.

[guinevere]

I think we need to come out strong early to build some confidence in both the players and the fans. So far, I'm still waivering. It gives me some consolation that the Av's couldn't score more than 1 goal on St. Louis last night even with 5 power play chances fairly early- one with a 5 on 3. (I'm not going to think about the 5-0 the game before)

Here's hoping the changes made are the right ones - they sound plausible to me - and that Mo gives it time to work rather than throwing desperate line changes into the mix willy nilly.

[Guyute]

I'm not thinking tonight is a 'must win', though I do think it's very much needed. it's close to a must win, and if we don't tonight, the next one most definitely will be.

as for when to replace Mo. I'd say, if by the end of the first week in Nov (a month into the season), if we're still having serious problems... you line up a replacement.
and honestly, I don't think JR will give him much more time than that.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I think tonight is pretty close to a must win. This has got to be terribly close to becoming a serious psychological problem for these guys. They must be the 23 most frustrated guys in the league and if something doesn't start working soon......

But I'm thinking tonght is a will win so I'm not too worried. :spin:

Honestly, I don't think they will ever fire Mo.

[corylav]

ugh ... finding it hard to see us win tonight if Luongo starts ... I'm gonna go with 2-2.

[e2ipiand1]

Our next three games are:
vs Florida - Should have won game one against them
at Rangers - Picked up where they left off (losing their first two)
at Pittsburgh - even with Fleury in goal, they've lost two

If we lose all three, Coach Mo gets fired.
If we lose two - ?
Beat Florida and one of the next two, and Mo should be safe for now.

[EyeOfTheStorm]

Pre-Game skate is up on CH.com

[Guyute]

e2 I can see that.... though of course it wouldn't be quite as cut and dry as that.

but, if we start out 0-5... it doesn't matter about "how long do you give Mo" imo... you've already dropped your first 5, and most of them are winnable games.
I don't expect to go 0-5, but we'll see.

[crazy4canes]

Pre-Game skate is up on CH.com

Thanks Eye. Put a link to it in the original post.

[crazy4canes]

ugh ... finding it hard to see us win tonight if Luongo starts ... I'm gonna go with 2-2.

They've beaten Luongo before, they can do it again.

[corylav]

i hope you're right ...

[StormShaman]

http://www.carolinahurricanes.com/gameday/previews.asp?previewid=208

Check out the "60 Seconds with" feature in the gameday preview. That's kinda cool. :)

[nccanes]

Very cool feature. And I finally see who Kevin Clark is!

I submitted the "what's in your CD player" question to CanesVision last season when they were soliciting questions for Ask The Canes (not that I was the only one or anything).

I like it!!

[goalie33]

Ooh, that was a great question. It was hilarious how most of the guys answered "an Erik Cole mix CD."

[RIO]

The Panthers play like convicts on ice, so either the Hurricanes step up and prove they don't deserve to be the cell-block gofer, or they shut up with the trite "obviously, we're giving 100%" nonsense. We have more punch then most teams can squeeze out of a frikkin' box of Tropicana, and yet we don't gain the upper hand. This is ridiculous. No more excuses. Do I sound mercurial, irritated, disaffected? Oh yes. Do not doubt this. Tis a fact.

Take the puck to the net, you bunch of pimps. You know you can, so just do it.

Having said that, Go Hurricanes :vamp:

[StormShaman]

The Panthers play like convicts on ice, so either the Hurricanes step up and prove they don't deserve to be the cell-block gofer, or they shut up with the trite "obviously, we're giving 100%" nonsense. We have more punch then most teams can squeeze out of a frikkin' box of Tropicana, and yet we don't gain the upper hand. This is ridiculous. No more excuses. Do I sound mercurial, irritated, disaffected? Oh yes. Do not doubt this. Tis a fact.

Take the puck to the net, you bunch of pimps. You know you can, so just do it.

Having said that, Go Hurricanes :vamp:

Rio, has anyone ever told you that you sound a lot like Hunter S. Thompson? No? Well they should! :) :kiss:

(it's a compliment, folks--I adore HST)

[folgersnyourcup]

I'm looking forward to tonight's game and hopefully the first win of the season! The new video interviews are interesting though the heading of the top one is wrong, it says Kevyn Adams looks to put an 0-2 start behind him when really the interview was done before the New Jersey game... There should definitely be no lack of emotion for the Canes tonight, they do NOT want to start the season 0-3 with 2 of those losses being against a division rival. I hope they are ready to come out on fire. If there was a lack of motivation in the opener against Florida there shouldn't have been....the Canes were absolutely humiliated by them in the preseason, I was hoping for some revenge. Hopefully the strong finish from the Devils game will carry over to tonight!

[RIO]

Rio, has anyone ever told you that you sound a lot like Hunter S. Thompson? No? Well they should! :) :kiss:

(it's a compliment, folks--I adore HST)


LOL!!! Who loves ya, baby!? :smoke:

[cmw00]

Well we're looking good so far!

Bruno just drew a penalty, and now so did Ron, 5 on 3 powerplay for us!

[cmw00]

SCORE!!!!!

[cmw00]

Wesley off a deflection from Vasicek!

No wesley gets the goal!

[cmw00]

No they changed their minds they did give it to Vasicek!

Glad I played him in my pools today!

[cmw00]

2 fights at the same time!

Boulerice Hordichyck and adams and odeline!

[cmw00]

OK, there was going to be an original penalty on Hordichuk, then him and boulerice got into the boards together and dropped the gloves, then for some reason Adams and Odeline decided to drop the gloves.

All got 5 minute fighting majors, but Hordichuk got an additional 2 for the original penalty.

[cmw00]

3:02 left in the first Panthers get their 2nd power play, Bruno St. Jacques 2 for tripping!

WHat? now they are calling a tripping on Staal also, for the same thing at the same time!

5 on 3 panthers....

[cmw00]

Huselius scores! damn! We were looking good for a 5 on 3.....

[tommy]

Yeah we were looking damn good on that 5-on-3 up until that end. But man, Brindy, even if you have the widest opening on a 3-on-5, DUMP THE PUCK! It's not worth the risk, and that showed, 'cause Huselius scored! (His 2nd of the season, no less.)

[cmw00]

Good scoring chance right off the bat in to start the 2nd by the V-B-C!

I think Brindy should have been looking to center it to Vasicek though.

and now a good shot by O'Neil! We are getting some traffic in front of Luongo!

[cmw00]

Allright here comes a power play for us!

Hill playing physical drew the penalty!

[cmw00]

Power play goal florida!

[cmw00]

HOLY CRAP WHAT A GOAL BY BOULERICE!!!

Where did that come from?

That was a Wayne Gretszky type goal!

Oh man!

[cmw00]

Well we've had acouple good shifts after that goal but its been killed off by a St. Jacques penalty.

Although it saved a odd man rush by florida so hard to complain if we kill it off....

Markiv just floored Jokinen!

[tommy]

WOW! DID YOU SEE THAT BOULERICE GOAL!?!?! AMAZING!

PK needs some work I think, but let's win this one!

[raleighcanesfan]

Yeah--I will suspend all criticisms (until at least 11 PM) if we win!!

Boulerice!!!!!! Not just a cut up wrist! Boy, did he need that for his confidence.

O needs one bad for his confidence!!

[Stormbringer]

Good to read about ze Canes playing hard. (Just got back from getting groceries.) Saw Vasicek/Wes' goal before I left, but didn't see the Bull's...wish I did based on what I read here and my brother told me.

Here's to a great third period! GO CANES!!

[cmw00]

Hey its Ironic because Chuck K just called the Boulerice goal a Wayne Gretzky type goal also....

It was a thing of beauty!

[cmw00]

Allright the start of the third tied 2-2.

This should be a good period of hockey! I'm expecting a rematch of Jesse and Darcy....

[cmw00]

Glenn Wesley is one of the most underated chekers on our team.
Welsey can really check when he needs to!

[cmw00]

Wow and Staal checked sombody! Knocked them all the way down also!

Atta boy Eric!

[cmw00]

Oh boy what a last few minutes of regulation for the canes!

here comes overtime!

[cmw00]

OK well we tied... So we get one point though.

We dominated the entire overtime period! We played well tonight. It will be interesting to see why people say we should fire MO after this game....

[raleighcanesfan]

***Derogatory Comments Removed***

Thankfully Mo addressed some needs facing his team. We actually saw someone in front of the goal on power plays. Passing was crisper. He rolled 4 lines (what you must do in the NHL these days to be successful). Yes, we looked a lot better. But just like all of those supporting Mo say when we're losing, "It's only the 2nd game," it's only one game they really clicked. Out of these 3 games, we should've had at least 2 points, at least 1 win. Let's see if this continues. Blueshirts on Saturday. Boys, let's dance on them on Broadway!

Boulerice was awesome tonight!
Vrbata, Big Joe, and Jaro looked good too!

[AbNormal27]

We outshot them almost 2-1, won over 72% of the faceoffs, had a goal from one of our role players, came away with no injuries and a point. Other than having some letdowns on the PK, this was a solid and much improved effort.

Aaryn

[tommy]

Three decent efforts so far, and no wins yet to show for it, but this team looks GOOD. The PP was 1 for 7 or so, but they had a TON of chances. Weekes made some nice saves when he needed to. We got a goal from an unexpected player, and we played very physical, and got over 30 shots. What else can you ask for? (Besides a win, and for Luongo to retire 15 years early.;))

[RIO]

A terrific game. Jesse's goal and Craig going at it was more than enough to put a huge smile on my face. Here's to more of these kinds of tremendous efforts. :spin:

And Wally T's gold chain.... did I not call them pimps? Suh-WEET. :smoke:

Note: Anyone else catch Stormy feeling himself up in front of the camera? The pig's been hittin' the still one too many times before games, me thinks. :crazy: LOL!!!

[raleighcanesfan]

Note: Anyone else catch Stormy feeling himself up in front of the camera? The pig's been hittin' the still one too many times before games, me thinks. :crazy: LOL!!!

He was at my school a couple weeks ago. His belly button SQUEAKS!! He is all about hitting it now! He'll even get you to squeeze it. Little perv! The guy in him is just a short little thing. Funny!

[cmw00]

I regret even posting this--but dude, what's your problem? Are you really working undercover as Mo's publicist? Sorry to the rest of you, but I cannot hold that in.

My problem is people wanting MO gone because the team isn't scoring. We've had the chances, out played and out shot our opponents, and people want MO fired. Its not the coaching that needs an upgrade the coacing has got us to our current level of play. Coaching can't help that the players can't execute good enough or just don't get lucky enough to put the puck in the net.

[Corona]

Coaching can't be blamed for not finishing. This team has huge opportunities to score...but these are not goal scorers. These are the best we can get for the price we can pay. Sorry, but its a hard reality. If you people want to win, don't blame the coach. Fill the arena every game and stop complaining about ticket prices. Support the team with your dollars and maybe they will have the money to get premier players. Maybe...

[Stormbringer]

Note: Anyone else catch Stormy feeling himself up in front of the camera? The pig's been hittin' the still one too many times before games, me thinks. :crazy: LOL!!!

He was at my school a couple weeks ago. His belly button SQUEAKS!! He is all about hitting it now! He'll even get you to squeeze it. Little perv! The guy in him is just a short little thing. Funny!

I was wondering what the heck was on Stormy that was squeaking at the Caniac Carnival...now I obviously know. :crazy:

As for him feeling himself, it wouldn't have been so bad if he didn't lift his jersey. That's what weirded out me and my brother... :eek2:

[raleighcanesfan]

We've had chances in the past two games, but not high quality like tonight. Tonight, people actually got in front of the net. That's a FUNDAMENTAL aspect of hockey. I read that in a Hockey for Dummies book. Sorry, that was low, I apologize.

But seriously, fundamentals are what's killing this team. Rolling four lines, like we did tonight saved us juice for our big lines late in the game and even got us a goal. There was a variety of dump and chase and skate in. Our guys can skate in--we do have the talent.

We did have chances in the previous two, but tonight a different team showed up. This is what sustains a playoff run. If Mo can generate the team to achieve this, I'll eat an RBC hot dog. I just really doubt this.

[nccanes]

I'm not a mod and I don't pretend to be one on TV, but can we please consider not turning every game thread into a Mo pro/con thread. That way some of us can avoid the Mo Must Go thread and just talk about the hockey game.

Thanks for considering. I realize the Mo Must Go-ers deserve respect for their opinions, but so do the ones that are advocating patience.

I for one would like to read the game thread w/o it turning into the Mo debate.

:)

[Staal-aholic]

Coaching can't be blamed for not finishing. This team has huge opportunities to score...but these are not goal scorers. These are the best we can get for the price we can pay. Sorry, but its a hard reality. If you people want to win, don't blame the coach. Fill the arena every game and stop complaining about ticket prices. Support the team with your dollars and maybe they will have the money to get premier players. Maybe...

i can't disagree more, we have plenty of finishers and money doesn't assure winning, the Rangers are nothing but finishers. We are a small market team we won't get superstars but we don't really want them either. Besides what prolific scorer would want to play in our system? Money won't fix goal scorring in Carolina. We have finishers but they just aren't finishing, yet.

[VandyCane]

Just got back from the game. I'm glad we got the point, but we really should have won that game. We completely outplayed Florida.

Our first goal came after some of the worst 5 on 3 power play hockey I have ever seen us play. Markov could not keep the puck in our zone to save his life. How he ended up with the third star of the game is beyond me. (I know it's an unfair rant, but he is getting paid tons of money!). Our power play looked ok, once we got the puck to stay in our zone. Kevin Weekes should have been able to stop that second goal. Joe Vasicek had a wide open net and missed! Sorry, I had to get that out of my system---told you I thought we should have won. :D

Jaro looked ok on the first line but I think Marty Murray looked much better. I still would like to see Vrbata up there, though. The VBC line continues to the best job out there. Adams/Adams/Boulerice looked very good. Vrbata/Staal/Svoboda looked lost together. They just didn't click.

Crowd was not large but definitely adequate for a Monday night/ TV game. The people who were there were quite noisy. Tommy, I got to meet your friend Michael. A very nice guy. I hope he is ok (he got beaned pretty hard in the eye by a jet-propelled t-shirt :beatup: )

Anywhoo, sorry so long. It's always cool to go to a game. :D

[StormShaman]

I'm not a mod and I don't pretend to be one on TV, but can we please consider not turning every game thread into a Mo pro/con thread. That way some of us can avoid the Mo Must Go thread and just talk about the hockey game.

Rack 'er!

[Canesluver]

Well, I had a blast..... we definitely deserved to win that one, but .. .. c'est la vie! at least it wasn't a loss..... We'll be in New York for Saturday's game, so maybe we'll get to see our first win in MSG!! :)

The way Jesse skated and handled the puck...... awesome..... loved that he deked out Luongo. I love having an enforcer that can occassionally score..... 1st star.... his.... no question.

For those of you in the arena, did you notice me in the profile they did about the "Snowflake Lady?" At the beginning and ending of the piece, where they profiled a Caniac in the 3rd period, they had the screen divided into 4 windows and I was in the upper left one holding my "Caniac for Life" sign. Think I can get 'em to do a profile on me.....????? ;) I'll have to tell Doug........

[Captain Slack]

Our first goal came after some of the worst 5 on 3 power play hockey I have ever seen us play.

They really "pulled a Homer" on that one!!! (That's a Simpson's reference meaning 'to succeed despite idiocy'.) I don't mean to put the guys down, but that was really pitiful. They even got booed and that NEVER happens in the RBC Center.

[nccanes]

For those of you in the arena, did you notice me in the profile they did about the "Snowflake Lady?" At the beginning and ending of the piece, where they profiled a Caniac in the 3rd period, they had the screen divided into 4 windows and I was in the upper left one holding my "Caniac for Life" sign. Think I can get 'em to do a profile on me.....????? ;) I'll have to tell Doug........

You could be the "Sign Lady"! I didn't see you then, but Kat and I saw you during another Jumbotron crowd shot.

And on a game production note, they are definitely going for a different vibe - today we had to "Rate the Song" or something???? What was that about? And please stop with the Day-O stuff. I hate that too - another rip off from other arenas.

I thought the Snowflake Lady profile was well done though! Looking forward to seeing the rest - including Mona!!

[talkingcanes]

A few thoughts on the game.

The Canes definitely outplayed them, except for Luongo.

There were a couple of shots that the laws of physics say should have gone in.

5 on 3 is not our best thing ;)

Jesse's goal was a thing of beauty.

Francis looks far better and faster at center. Good move to change him back.

The Staal, Vrbata, and Svoboda line is the skinniest line I've ever seen ;)

Got a point.....WooooHoooo.

2 weeks until the next home game :sad:

[VandyCane]

Well at least we didn't have "demolition derby" animation, puck races or those blasted horns. Maybe someone does listen to us. :D

[nccanes]

Well at least we didn't have "demolition derby" animation, puck races or those blasted horns. Maybe someone does listen to us. :D

Good point!!

I enjoyed the hits in this game. Cole, Hill, Markov, O'Neill - good stuff. The crowd LOVES to see O hit.

[talkingcanes]

and for those who regularly park in the east lots, you have my sympathy. I somehow got looped around to the east lot, some sort of lane change, and I thought I would never get out after the game. It was a nightmare. The west lots aren't that bad after a sell out Saturday night we've all been tailgating and drinking game.

[nccanes]

I LMAO when O'Neill had his hissy fit on the bench after a 2nd period PP - and I don't think I saw all of it. :laugh:

O'Neill slammed his stick against the glass, threw it into the tunnel, broke three more and repeatedly kicked the boards on the bench as Carolina outplayed another opponent only to net a 2-2 tie with the Florida Panthers.

"That was my little conniption for the week," said the scoreless O'Neill, one of 12 NHL players to have 30 or more goals each of the last three seasons. "I think the fans were quite amused by it.

"I don't lose it like that very often but I wanted to break every stick in that rack, including ones that I didn't own."

[Jeff O Rocks]

I saw O's conniption...when I first saw him leave the bench, I thought he was injured..and then I saw him destroy stick after stick.. at first I was concerned, then I laughed my ass off.. :eek: :D

Good game overall.......the effort was there ..just couldn't get that third goal to win....Happy for Jesse B!! :spin:

and I know I will look like a total goon when they put me up on the jumbotron!! :eek2:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I know I'm in a negative frame of mind about this team recently so please try to excuse me. I do think we played well overall tonight but I sat there, in that arena and watched the single most sickeningly, horribly, disgusting minute and 30+ seconds of hockey I have ever seen in my life. :sick: :sick: :sick: That was when we were on the 5 on 3 in the first period (when everyone booed and even I thought about it....and I never, ever, ever boo). I swear to GOD the Mighty Mites do a better job out there than those million dollar men did. The fact that we scored can only show that God and some serious karma were on our side and the Almighty is probably pretty damned fumed that we didn't manage to win that game after he scored that goal for us. My blood pressure was so high I couldn't even enjoy the goal. Disgusting, disgusting. Now, I'll keep it to myself whose fault I think it was. :p ;)

Other than that, pretty decent game and better than the first attempt we made at Florida. If they keep improving like this we might even get 2 points in one game by November!! ;) As it is we're on pace for 27 points this season!! Woo Hooo!!! ;) ;) ;)
(I'm trying to joke my way out of the funk, people, bare with me)

O'Neill's tantrum was one of the most entertaining things of the evening. :laugh:

[nccanes]

Joe's goal. Although in the post-game interview thing he said it never touched him and he didn't realize that they changed the credit from Wesley to him.

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20031014/capt.nckd10110140013.panthers_hurricanes_nckd101.j pg

[Shell]

My very random thoughts........

My most potent feelings will go in the Mo Must Go thread for the first time ever.. but aside from those, it was a great game! Thanks for posting the 60 Seconds Cam. I would have missed that and definitely enjoyed it. While I am at iit, Thanks Eileen for posting the O quote.. I missed that completely LOL! I agree with you as usual RaleighCanesFan.

Our power play was horrendous, with the 5 on 3 being nothing short of embarassing! You should be able to get it in your zone on a 5 on 3!!!!! The accident goal by Vasicek was essential lol.

Jesse was awwesome and I am so proud of him!!! Yoiu know he wants to be more than an enforcer, and I appreciate his dedication and effort. It may not come natural, but it's there!

overall I thought it was a good game.. lots more traffic in front of the net. If not for some bad decisions on Mo's part, I think we would have won it for sure.

[Jeff O Rocks]

That pic is awesome Eileen....Luongo didn't even see it coming...his eyes are not even looking at the puck!! GOOD!! :D

[Alicia]

They said it went off his glove...although I don't see a glove on his back... :crazy:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

That pic is awesome Eileen....Luongo didn't even see it coming...his eyes are not even looking at the puck!! GOOD!! :D

That's because Joe's not looking at it either. He's ducking it. Luckily, they all count, whether you mean to score them or not. ;)

[Lady J]

Jesse was awwesome and I am so proud of him!!! Yoiu know he wants to be more than an enforcer, and I appreciate his dedication and effort. It may not come natural, but it's there!


Amen sister. :) Jesse was wonderful ~ I hope he's given himself a good pat on the back. He played an amazing game tonight.

The one thing I'll give our guys is that they've somehow managed to increase their speed ~ we weren't getting outrun quite as badly as we usually do.

[RIO]

Note: Anyone else catch Stormy feeling himself up in front of the camera? The pig's been hittin' the still one too many times before games, me thinks. :crazy: LOL!!!

He was at my school a couple weeks ago. His belly button SQUEAKS!! He is all about hitting it now! He'll even get you to squeeze it. Little perv! The guy in him is just a short little thing. Funny!

Ok, thanks SO much for explaining that. I thought I was having an out-of-body experience. :crazy:

And SB, you weren't the only one psychically marred. I do believe "What the... " was shouted from many directions in my living room.

[puckin_A]

Note: Anyone else catch Stormy feeling himself up in front of the camera? The pig's been hittin' the still one too many times before games, me thinks. :crazy: LOL!!!

:laugh:

this was a great fun game to be at. The crowd was crazy and loud. A win
would of been nice but gotta credit Lougie.....He is one hell of a goalie.

[Stormbringer]

Ok, once again, the Canes didn't win. But, they didn't lose either. And that is good, bad, and ugly...

The Good:

Night of the Condor - And Big Joe drew the first blood of the night, with aid from Wes and Colesy. Good job you three! :)

Bull's Eye - And Boulerice netted one in a manner that could not be described better than how Chuck K put it, Wayne Gretzky-like. Way to show that more than your fists carry a sting! Assists were by Heddy and Markov.

Pressure Cooker - Again, lots and lots of pressure tonight...except for one moment where the cats got a goal, the penalty kill was wonderful. Not to mention the great hitting and defense. A thumbs up for all of that... http://www.missfantastic.com/stormbringer/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

A Message To Ronnie - (sings) Stop your messing around...no actually, keep it up. :) Dude, you truly should have gotten an assist or a goal (Especially the latter...the puck should have gone in on that magnificent shot against Luongo in the third period.) tonight. The potential assists you dished out were absolutely too beautiful to not go in. But hey, at least Mo put you back in center where you truly belong...you and O (Who had quite the hissy fit tonight in the second period...) will soon get your points.

The Bad:

What's New, *****cat? - Nothing really, when you're talking about Robert Luongo. It's been said constantly and will be said again, the boy is a pain in the Canes' collective necks.

Stormy Goes Wild - Only people who were watching the game on TV, including my brother and I, will get this...but what the heck was Stormy doing pulling up his jersey and rubbing his belly like an exotic dancer during the OT? I seriously hate saying/asking that because he's a kids' icon and all, but it just didn't look right. I recently heard that Stormy got a new squeaker in his belly button (I was wondering why/how he squeaked at the Caniac Carnival...) and maybe that explains why he was showing off his belly like he did. But STILL... http://www.missfantastic.com/stormbringer/images/emoticons/bugeye.gif

The Ugly:

Staal-ed - Staal himself doesn't deserve to be here...who deserves to be here is the ref who called the non-existent penalty on Eric. This is the penalty that led to the five-on-three power play for Florida, that led to the goal, that made the game 2-1 in the Panthers' favor, that made Weekes' GAA go up, that made the Canes and crowd sigh in the house that Jack built.

So, even though the Canes did not win, I will take the tie. Why?

1. A tie is better than a loss.

2. The Canes got a point.

and...

3. The Canes looked too dang good to lose.

And if it weren't for that confounded five-on-three for the puddytats, the Canes could have won this thing 2-1. But as wacky in a comic book logic kind of way as it sounds, if Florida had not gotten that goal, the game could have been as much different in a way that was as bad as good. So who knows? (shrugs)

Well, next up for the Canes is an invasion of New York City(!) and Madison Square Garden...but you know what? I'm not covering that game, nor am I covering the game after that, nor even the game after that! As of October 18th through October 24th, I will be spelunking and hiking in Mammoth Cave, KY. So, no reports (And updates throughout my site.) for a whole week, sorry. :sad: But in the meantime, I'll give you this Tootsie Pop as an early Halloween treat, and you can count how many licks it takes to get to the center. Me? I'm looking forward to having a chat with Mr. Owl...along with giving some bears candy bars for Halloween and seeing if there's a place that serves an old 96er steak. (Wouldn't Tripp be proud. :D ;))

[stewart123]

Although I doubt it is part of the Carolina Hurricane's mission statement to make sure that Section 106 Row Q Seat 14 is happy.. I still have to say that I'm not happy.

The Canes worked hard. But they've worked hard every game.
The Canes had plenty of shots. But they've had plenty of shots every game.
The Canes let a divisional rival that most prognosticators picked for last in the division steal a point in our building. You win at home, steal points on the road.. that's the only formula for winning in the NHL. So far Florida understands that better than the Canes do.

I think the road trip comes at an excellent time. Regardless of whether they're just working out the kinks in the offense, or are showing systemic problems that will last as long as the personnel does.. with 6 of the next 7 away from the RBC, we'll know a lot more about this team on Nov. 1st.

[Corona]

Coaching can't be blamed for not finishing. This team has huge opportunities to score...but these are not goal scorers. These are the best we can get for the price we can pay. Sorry, but its a hard reality. If you people want to win, don't blame the coach. Fill the arena every game and stop complaining about ticket prices. Support the team with your dollars and maybe they will have the money to get premier players. Maybe...

i can't disagree more, we have plenty of finishers and money doesn't assure winning, the Rangers are nothing but finishers. We are a small market team we won't get superstars but we don't really want them either. Besides what prolific scorer would want to play in our system? Money won't fix goal scorring in Carolina. We have finishers but they just aren't finishing, yet.

Well, in my opinion, if you are a finisher and you aren't finishing, you are stealing the fan's money. The point of my note was not so much that we need overpaid egomaniacs. We need our own fans to take every opportunity to back the team before jumping in to throw the first stone whn things aren't going our way.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Stormy is a freak....I knew that belly button was new.....at one of the first preseason games he was showing it...I didn't know it squeaked though.. :D

Alicia..loved the glove on the back comment!! :D Seemed like Luongo had gloves all over his body last night............when the snagged that winning goal right out of the air..........dammit!! :mad:

and was it my imagination or at one time did we only have a single dman on the ice??

[corylav]

ugh ... finding it hard to see us win tonight if Luongo starts ... I'm gonna go with 2-2.

so ... who needs their palm read? I'm predicting a 13-2 win vs. NYR :D

[Jeff O Rocks]

I'm predicting a 13-2 win vs. NYR :D

You can read my palm, but I am pretty sure I already know what you are gonna say! and I hope you are correct again...beating the Rangers 13-2 will be just what the Dr. ordered.. :spin:

[EpiK-KA14]

For all you who keep ragging on our "Dump and Chase" style of play, tonight was a perfect example of why we do it: Because we can't carry the puck into the zone without turning it over. (Heck we lost it 4 straight times trying to carry it in on a 5 on 3!)

The point is: We maybe retain the puck 40-50% of the time when we dump it in. But even when we lose it, the other team has to start behind their net before breaking out. When we've tried to carry it in, we're down to about a 25% success rate. (And that's generous!) And now the other team has the puck already in center ice.

What we DO need to do is place the puck better on the dump and chase, especially against good puck-handling goalies like Brodeur. Corners are better than directly behind the goal, opposite corners are better than the closer corners because it gives our off wing the chance to get in there.

Now for my "Thoughts from section 124" on last night's game:

#1 - There is no excuse for not winning this game last night. Being happy with a tie is settling for mediocre. I'm NOT happy, and if you watched Jeff O'Neill, he's not happy either. This team cannot afford to keep winning MORAL victories without claiming 2 points on top of it.

#2 - Weekes was good for the third straight game, but once again let in a VERY soft goal. He butterflied on their second goal, but lifted his stick off the ice when he went down and left a 5-hole big enough to drive the zamboni through. That was the difference in the win and the tie last night. Sorry, but this one was on Weekes.

#3 - Staal is reminding us all he is still a rookie. Glad he's not on the 1st line anymore. He needs to mature into this game. On the plus side, that was a sweet check he laid on Horton. Knocked him on square on his butt. I was wondering if he yelled "See? That's why I was drafted before you" to him as he skated away. :D

#4 - Boulerice had a sweet goal, Jaro and Big Joe also showed some skill moves (Joe especially late in the game) that help build some confidence that this team can score. But where are these kinds of moves from our top two lines? Cole and Brindy are working hard and each has a goal, but we're not seeing the kinds of "moves" from them that we are from some of the younger guys. That goes double for Ronnie and Jeff.

#5 - Our top 4 D-Guys are rock solid. Aaron and Bruno need some work though. Bruno panicked on offense when he ended up with the puck just to the right of the face-off circle at one point. He had all day to find someone or simply skate in 15 feet before he shot. Instead he laid an easy wrister that Luongo effortlessly scooped up. Those kinds of shots make the end shot totals a little misleading. Aaron wasn't terrible, but he looked slow. It'll be interesting to see which one ends up out of the lineup when Bougner is healthly...

Anyway, I'm not trying to be overly critical. Effort was there, again. But there are LOTS of areas we need to improve on before we can say we played WELL. All we can say now is we played HARD and once again came up without a win...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Boulerice had a sweet goal, Jaro and Big Joe also showed some skill moves (Joe especially late in the game) that help build some confidence that this team can score. But where are these kinds of moves from our top two lines? Cole and Brindy are working hard and each has a goal, but we're not seeing the kinds of "moves" from them that we are from some of the younger guys. That goes double for Ronnie and Jeff.


Skill moves? After hearing all the talk this off-season I thought the organization wanted everyone to play like Kevin and Craig Adams. You don't need skill moves for that. Just banging.

I think those are some great points EpiK. One thing I'll add is that maybe if we focused on learning how to carry the puck into the zone and focused on some strategy for getting that done we might not have to resort to the D&C all the time. I really don't think it's the talent that is lacking.

By my estimation, that is 3 soft goals in 3 games. Not an average I'm happy with. Sounds more like Irbe than Weekes.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I just thought of a great new offensive strategy! Have Big Joe skate through the crease in the same position (bent over, looking the other way), before every shot!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

You HAVE to think that 5 on 3 last night was a strategy overall.
"Come on guys! Skate like you never woke up today and act like you've never played hockey and just when they are starting to relax and think they have this game fire one at the net! You know, lull them into a false sense of security!"
So, confuse and conquer would be the basis strategy, I suppose. Maybe we should try it more often.

[guinevere]

So, confuse and conquer would be the basis strategy, I suppose. Maybe we should try it more often.

Must be a long range plan because we are starting to work on year two of the "master plan".

[MeanGene]

Without reading through this whole thread, we had one player who had 3 empty nets to shoot at. Whiffed 2 and flat out missed one. That would have been huge. They were working hard though to be in position to be in front of the empty net (well skating by once)! Things will come together.

[folgersnyourcup]

The Canes really should have been able to win this one.....got no closer to Florida in the standings and still are looking for that elusive W. The 5 on 3 that the Hurricanes first goal was scored on was pathetic. Florida's 5 on 3 later in the game made the Canes players look like imbeciles. I was honestly too disgusted to get off my butt and cheer when the puck went in.....I was still in a state of complete shock that they had scored. I ended up getting up after about 10 seconds and giving some polite claps though...but sheesh. UGLY! Also, there were a LOT of mistakes made last night including a few coming on Markov's end and some Oneill slapshots that didn't come anywhere even close to the net. Some of you guys mentioned that you were glad to see bodies in front of the net. I was screaming to get somebody down there and most of the time they just would not do it! It seems that every other team in the league does it, even Florida was doing it last night.

Sure, we outshot them by a wide margin, but I thought many of those were fired right at Luongo's chest with no hope in hell of going in. I believe it was one of our powerplays that we got several shots on that the Canes just kept getting the puck back to Sean Hill and whoever else was with him at the point and getting him to fire a hard shot at the net which Luongo easily handled. It seemed like the Canes were getting bodies out of the way so that Hill could take a hard shot right at him and so Luongo could see it all the way. Multiple shots were taken, and I don't recall anyone being there to tap in a rebound or make a deflection. In contrast, on Florida's powerplay they take a shot from a ways out and have a guy right in front to deflect the puck past Weekes. Perfect.

Somehow we got a couple goals though. If not for Hedican bringing the puck in the zone and getting it Boulerice who converted with an unbelievable individual effort this game would have gone done as another loss. And the Canes' first goal seemed pretty fluky as well. Hopefully this may give them some confidence though??

O'Neill seemed upset (an understatement), he seems to be letting things get to him. After a few of his shots missed and missed bad on the powerplay and other situations I was scared whenever he got the puck. There was one sequence that I believe was on the powerplay where he tried to shoot it and ended up falling and shooting it a mile wide. That got a few "keep the puck away from Oneill" cheers....

Overall, the team worked very hard though. Boulerice was right in the thick of things several times this game, the faceoffs were VERY one-sided towards the Canes, there were some big hits laid by all, Sean Hill had a very accurate shot, Markov had a very STRONG slapshot, and Cole and Brindamour worked hard as always. Francis looks to be working hard as well but still no points to show for it. I'm not sure if Vasicek just wasn't getting there in time or if the Florida player was tying up his stick or what, but it seemed like there were several gift-wrapped scoring chances for him in the 3rd that he wasn't able to take advantage of. He was working hard though. Sean Hill had a perfect shot to end the game in OT but Luongo was good as he was all game. Very timely timeout call by Florida after that to let their team team regroup. In a recurring them this year, Weekes was outdeuled. He left an enermous rebound right to a few Florida players at one point but ended up making a nice series of saves to save a goal. He was fine, but Luongo was better.

Sorry to sound so critical, but I'm a bit tired of trying to find the silver lining in games the Canes should be winning in regulation against division rivals to keep them from getting points in the standings. Sure, I'm glad the Canes got their first point of the year but they are going to need to start winning soon. The best teams find ways to win in situations like these and hopefully the Canes will be able to do so in the future.

Also, I hate ties. :mad:

[folgersnyourcup]

Without reading through this whole thread, we had one player who had 3 empty nets to shoot at. Whiffed 2 and flat out missed one. That would have been huge. They were working hard though to be in position to be in front of the empty net (well skating by once)! Things will come together.

I think that's Vasicek you're thinking of there.

[MeanGene]

I'm not sure if Vasicek just wasn't getting there in time or if the Florida player was tying up his stick or what, but it seemed like there were several gift-wrapped scoring chances for him in the 3rd that he wasn't able to take advantage of. He was working hard though.

Wow, we think alike and about 1 minute apart too!

And, I did not call him out, you did! :D

[stewart123]

The strange thing for me is that I see multiple people who are down on Markov for last night's game. I accept that his power play work was below par, but defensively there were multiple times where I singled him out for applause. At one point he caught up to a lead Panther, trapped his stick on the ice before a shot was released, tapped the puck away, flattened the guy with a shoulder, and then circled to pick up the puck and sent it over to Heddy. It was awesome. He also made some excellent moves in traffic to start rushes.

Can someone describe the defensive breakdowns Markov had? I obviously wasn't watching closely.

[tommy]

What's up with the ridiculously negative coverage by the N and O today?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

What's up with the ridiculously negative coverage by the N and O today?

I've only read what's online (Mr SHC has the paper with him at work) so maybe I've missed something. All I saw was a pretty accurate write-up of the game and description of the situation....which happens to be pretty bad.

[StormShaman]

What's up with the ridiculously negative coverage by the N and O today?

I've only read what's online (Mr SHC has the paper with him at work) so maybe I've missed something. All I saw was a pretty accurate write-up of the game and description of the situation....which happens to be pretty bad.

Ditto. I know that I'm probably the only Luke DeCock supporter in the Triangle, but give the guy his props--he does tend to have his manglement-supplied whipping boys, but overall he's pretty non-homerish (which is what *I* like to see in my sports coverage).

[Shell]

Can someone describe the defensive breakdowns Markov had? I obviously wasn't watching closely.

Not me, I love that kid!!! If he does have any breakdowns, I would credit them to the fact that it is hard to cover the entire zone, but he does a damn fine job trying! JMO

[lvscolencanes]

I agree with ya Shell, I thought Danny did an amazing job. I was a little worried at first, but he did seem to be handling the whole dern d for a long time. I know he got alot of ice time last night.... :beatup:

[tommy]

What's up with the ridiculously negative coverage by the N and O today?

I've only read what's online (Mr SHC has the paper with him at work) so maybe I've missed something. All I saw was a pretty accurate write-up of the game and description of the situation....which happens to be pretty bad.

They started to talk about how we're technically winless in 12 or 13 games, which is when I stopped reading the article.

Maybe online is different.

[Guyute]

uh... we ARE winless in that long. March 12th was our last win. and it's been 14 games.

is that a dig on the canes? not imo... it's an ugly fact. those articles didn't bother me... sometimes it's hard to hear... but all of the concerns, bad streaks, etc... are real.

[tommy]

Well the N and O was all hyped up about our re-vamped lineup, so what is there to compare with last year, when Staal was in juniors, Brindy, Cole, and Vasicek were out, Weekes was our only non-pitiful goalie, and Markov and Murray were playing for other teams? I realize that that is the facts, but there are some facts that are misrepresentative, that's all. I do NOT consider this to be the same team as we had at the end of last year. The 'streak' is not on the shoulders of this team, for a large part.

[Guyute]

well... yes and no.

the 1st line has not added a point yet. that's a concern. other than Jesse's goal, all of our points have come from the 2nd line. when I say "all", I mean all of 3... which isn't pretty.

I'm not totally down on this team, by any means. but, I think the article was fair. and I do think there are some major concerns.

yes, we have a better Roster this season. But, if we're not winning, you'd have to consider the fact that it's not the players that are ALL slumping. /shrug

[lvscolencanes]

Great point about the slumping - I think that is a great way to put it they are ALL in a slump....Jeeess.....injuries, slumps!! What to do now??
:crazy: :eek:

I just dont understand what the deal is, all the shots we are making at goal - why are they not going in for us, but they are for them. I am sorry, I think the goalie situation needs to be evaulated also....Plus we need some snazy kinda shot practice....what else to do!? :crazy:

[guinevere]

I'm wondering if a targeted power play coach wouldn't do some good - someone from the outside even if its just for a short term to get them on track. The Canes powerplay right now basically means that the other team only has to play 4 players so they get a rest.

[VandyCane]

Stewart123--since I'm one of the people that complained about Markov I guess I will answer. Part of my reason for being frustrated with him is that with a $2 million plus price tag on him I expect superb play from him all the time. He was part of the reason that our 5 on 3 last night was so horrible. He could not keep the puck in the zone. I felt like some of our best power play moments were when he wasn't on the ice. That's not what I want from our 2 million dollar man. His 5 on 5 play I'm fine with. Has he made some nice moves? Sure. Does he have a great slapshot? Absolutely. But when I leave the game and I think that Wesley and Hill were the two most solid defenseman out there (overall) then I wonder where our money is going. I realize that I'm in the minority opinion here, but hey I'm sticking to it! :)

[Shell]

While I love Markov, I do agree with you Vandy about him holding the puck in the zone last night on the power play. I was having Tanabe flashbacks!! lol

[lvscolencanes]

Sorry OT, but speakin of Tanabe, I watched him play the other night, and looked as if he was on there first line, but I will say, he looked like a different guy playing for the Coyotes....But thats how it goes... they play for us and drag, go somewhere else and explode... :eek:

[StormShaman]

What's up with the ridiculously negative coverage by the N and O today?

I've only read what's online (Mr SHC has the paper with him at work) so maybe I've missed something. All I saw was a pretty accurate write-up of the game and description of the situation....which happens to be pretty bad.

They started to talk about how we're technically winless in 12 or 13 games, which is when I stopped reading the article.

No offense dude, but if all you want is homerism then perhaps you should become a Bruins fan. Then you can read the Boston Globe and never have to worry about "negativity" in your coverage.

[stewart123]

Part of my reason for being frustrated with him is that with a $2 million plus price tag on him I expect superb play from him all the time. He was part of the reason that our 5 on 3 last night was so horrible. He could not keep the puck in the zone.

No argument whatsoever. He had a bad night on the PP.

But he's even +/-, one of only 6 Canes to have a point, he's averaged 25:42 on ice (more than Iron Rod, which means most on the team), and has no penalty minutes.

Defensively, he's played well enough to earn the third-highest paycheck among our D-men, IMO.

[tommy]

What's up with the ridiculously negative coverage by the N and O today?

I've only read what's online (Mr SHC has the paper with him at work) so maybe I've missed something. All I saw was a pretty accurate write-up of the game and description of the situation....which happens to be pretty bad.

They started to talk about how we're technically winless in 12 or 13 games, which is when I stopped reading the article.

No offense dude, but if all you want is homerism then perhaps you should become a Bruins fan. Then you can read the Boston Globe and never have to worry about "negativity" in your coverage.

I never said that all I want is homerism. Stop drawing conclusions; it'll get you into trouble someday. I simply stated that I didn't think it was fair to include the fact that the team is winless in 12.

I think that the Canes have played well, and that once the chemistry gets going, the points will come. Honestly, only someone who just looks at the box scores will start drawing comparisons to last year. Myself, well, I don't see any similarities.

That's all I'm saying. I never ever ever said that I can't handle negative press, but I dislike it when it is unneccessary and premature.

[StormShaman]

I never said that all I want is homerism. Stop drawing conclusions; it'll get you into trouble someday.

Please to be speaking for own bad self.

I simply stated that I didn't think it was fair to include the fact that the team is winless in 12.

Why? It's true!

I never ever ever said that I can't handle negative press

That wasn't the impression I got from your post.

[tommy]

Well I've made my point. Many, if not all, of the players and injuries responsible for the first 9 games of the current 12 game "streak" are GONE.

I mean, yeah, technically the French are a great cause for the US being the way it is today (see: Revolutionary War), but that doesn't mean that they are still that way today. The Canes did go winless in the final nine last year, but this is not the same team.

And I really don't care what "impression" you got from my post. You couldn't hear the tone of my voice. For all you know, I could have been drunk when I posted it. "Impressions" online mean nothing.

But whatever you say.

It's funny how you always stop addressing the main issue and try to win a totally unrelated argument with me, based on some technicality.

[StormShaman]

Well I've made my point. Many, if not all, of the players and injuries responsible for the first 9 games of the current 12 game "streak" are GONE.

This doesn't change the fact that we're still winless in our last 12 games going back to last season.

It's funny how you always stop addressing the main issue and try to win a totally unrelated argument with me, based on some technicality.

http://metroboards.com/forums/metrofolder/confused4.gif

Ummm... wha?

[tommy]

Okay, whatever, I thought it was just a misrepresentation. You're like a freakin' vulture, going in for the kill every time I try and say that. It just seems a little odd to say that the Canes are in a 12 game slide right now. I mean, Britain hasn't been successfully conquered since the Normans in 1066, but that doesn't mean they're necessarily a world military power right now. Just so, even though the franchise itself has gone winless in 12, it's lame to lay that down on the current players and say we're in a slump. And please don't reply, because I won't read it, I'm just telling you what I think.

[Shell]

*ahem* This is personal on both sides, and not friendly so please cease and desist and mention no more.

Thanks!

[tommy]

*ahem* This is personal on both sides, and not friendly so please cease and desist and mention no more.

Thanks!

Sorry Shell.

Sorry, Cam, too.... I tend to get a little immature... but the next time I see you on the street... :p :beatup:

[cmw00]

I'm gonna wait till we play atleast one different team until I say we are in a slump.

The canes played too good monday to be called a slump. Just look at some of the saves the other goalies made. If after we face 2 more goalies and we get all the shots and good scoring chances that we have gotten in last game and the 2nd game or even the 1st, then I'll say we are in a scoring slump. Its not fair to compare to last season. Yeah we are winless in 12 or 13, but its not really fair to the team to try to use that as a knock against them.

Nobody is saying that the devils are unbeaten in 3 or 4 games.

[stewart123]

I did not see the original article. But to be true, the line should have read 'Over the last two seasons, with major differences in the lineup due to injury and trades, and not counting preseason victories, the Canes are winless in their last 12.'

When a sentence has to be modified so heavily in order to make it true, it stops being relevant to the situation.

[Shell]

Nobody is saying that the devils are unbeaten in 3 or 4 games.

Nor has anyone mentioned that Florida's only W came at our expense. They lost to Phoenix last night. NJ has only played twice. They have a W on us and a T at Boston..could be the other reason no one mentioned it :p

[cmw00]

NJ has only played twice. They have a W on us and a T at Boston..could be the other reason no one mentioned it

But going back to LAST season they are unbeaten in 3 games.....

See its sounds sort of dumb to try to make somthing of that.....

[tommy]

I did not see the original article. But to be true, the line should have read 'Over the last two seasons, with major differences in the lineup due to injury and trades, and not counting preseason victories, the Canes are winless in their last 12.'

When a sentence has to be modified so heavily in order to make it true, it stops being relevant to the situation.

Word.



NJ has only played twice. They have a W on us and a T at Boston..could be the other reason no one mentioned it


But going back to LAST season they are unbeaten in 3 games.....

See its sounds sort of dumb to try to make somthing of that..... again, word.

[Shell]

NJ has only played twice. They have a W on us and a T at Boston..could be the other reason no one mentioned it

But going back to LAST season they are unbeaten in 3 games.....

See its sounds sort of dumb to try to make somthing of that.....

I missed that point entirely and stand corrected.

[puckin_A]

I don't like the fact that they say the Canes have lost their last twelve.
That was LAST YEAR!! leave it where it belongs. This is a new day....

[Shell]

being as anal as I am, I may need to re-watch this game to count for myself. I still have it on DVR

Thursday, October 16, 2003 7:17AM EDT
Panthers coach questions stats
Keenan thinks RBC crew wrong
By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer

After a game in which the Carolina Hurricanes outshot the Florida Panthers 35-20 and won 72.3 percent of faceoffs in a 2-2 tie Monday, Panthers coach Mike Keenan questioned the competence of the RBC Center's off-ice officials.
"They were very wrong [Monday] night," Keenan told reporters in Florida on Tuesday. "Not only were they wrong in terms of faceoffs, the shots on goal were way off. I don't know what the motivation is in Carolina not to keep accurate statistics."

The off-ice officials, who track shots, faceoffs and ice time for public consumption and hits, giveaways, takeaways and blocked shots for the league and union, are hired and trained by the NHL.

Specifically, Keenan felt that Jaroslav Bednar was not credited with two shots on goal and that center Olli Jokinen won 15 of 31 faceoffs, not the 10 he was credited with by the NHL.

"Part of the problem in the NHL is you have, excuse me for saying this, many non-hockey people keeping statistics in various buildings," Keenan said. "It's reflected in time on ice. It's reflected on the faceoff statistics. It's reflected in shots on goal. And they're just not accurate. I hope the NHL will address these issues and make them right."

Benny Ercolani, the NHL's chief statistician, said most of the Carolina off-ice officials have experience from the Raleigh IceCaps, the minor league team that played at Dorton Arena before the Canes' arrival in 1997.

"Coaches sometimes say those things," Ercolani said. "When I take it seriously is when I think there's a problem."

Keenan clearly has an agenda here; his team was second-worst in the NHL on faceoffs last year and was credited with winning only 21 of 76 faceoffs Monday.

On the season, the Panthers are last in the NHL, winning only 39.4 percent of faceoffs. The Canes, who were fourth in faceoffs last season, lead the NHL this season at 62.0 percent.

But this isn't the first time opposing teams -- goaltenders in particular, who feel that shots on goal are often on the low side -- have had issues with the stats kept at the RBC Center. The Canes have complained as well in the past, Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said.

"They [the NHL] did respond a year ago to some of our concerns, but going beyond that, they are league officials, they're not team officials," Rutherford said. "For someone to suggest we have any kind of influence on these league officials is really off base."

While the Canes are often unhappy with the stats kept, they mostly keep their complaints to themselves.

In one memorable instance in November, Carolina coach Paul Maurice let his frustration with the off-ice officials spill over into public when the Canes were credited with only 18 shots.

"Listen, and this goes both ways, but there is some heavy drinking going on in the shot-clock booth," Maurice said. "Don't get me wrong -- oh, I'm going to get in trouble for that."

[Guyute]

there's always been questions of the shot-counters in the RBC. we get screwed just as much other teams. Mike just wanted something to whine about. be happy you got out of there with a tie you punk.

[MoBigRed]

Speaking as an ex-off-icer, i'll say off-ice officials are definitely not perfect - they're people, too.

At least off-ice officials' mistakes don't change the outcomes of games, as do the mistakes of the on-ice officials.

[Shell]

"Listen, and this goes both ways, but there is some heavy drinking going on in the shot-clock booth," Maurice said. "Don't get me wrong -- oh, I'm going to get in trouble for that."

http://www.tridead.net/forums/images/smilies/chairfall.gif