Game Thread...Canes @ Thrashers 3/15/04

[nccanes]

The Canes can hop into 3rd place in the SE Division with a win tonight. That would be a nice small reward for their play of late. We can only hope that they will continue to be motivated! Isn't it great to have 3 lines that have been scoring and the 4th line that plays like Bayda/Zig/Jesse have?




From the ajc.com:
The teams behind Atlanta in the standings will not be pushovers. Carolina, tonight's opponent, is 4-1 against the Thrashers this season and can overtake them in the standings by winning tonight.

"They're skating hard; they're not an easy team to play against," Hartley said. "They're getting good goaltending. They do play hard. You've got to give them credit."

Player to watch: Thrashers G Pasi Nurminen will make his 22nd straight appearance by starting. Coach Bob Hartley said he wants backup Kari Lehtonen to have a few practices with the team before making his NHL debut. Sunday's was Lehtonen's first practice since being called up Friday.

Did you know: The Hurricanes snapped Tampa Bay's streak of points in 18 straight games with a 5-1 win Saturday. The Hurricanes have won four of their past six and are 7-3-2-2 in their past 14 games for 18 out of 32 points.

Worth noting: The Thrashers snapped a four-game winless streak with a 5-2 win over Washington on Saturday. . . . Atlanta has just three points in five meetings against Carolina this season.




Here's hoping that Pasi will be smashing his stick to smithereens against the post out of frustration again. :evil:

[apolinar]

Notice how all the stories out there about running for the playoffs are about the Thrashers and Sabres trying to pass the Islanders. I hope this keeps up and the young uns from the canes sneak by unnoticed. Do they not realize we are only one point from the Thrashers? One point makes the thrashers a better contender than us? NHL.com has Buffalo and Thrashers as the lead story, and the canes are buried there somewhere. This was the type of stuff happening when we went to the stanley cup... everybody underestimating the team lurking below. It's time to rudely awaken the NHL again and act as the true upset team that we are. IT'S TIME TO GET THE 3 GAME STREAK MONKEY OFF OUR BACKS TONIGHT!!!!!

[rons#1fan]

Yeah those "monkeys" can give you a real crick in the neck! :D

[guinevere]

IT'S TIME TO GET THE 3 GAME STREAK MONKEY OFF OUR BACKS TONIGHT!!!!!

RIGHT HERE....RIGHT NOW.... (cue spiffy music) I am actually excited about a game for the first time in a long time. I love how the guys are playing now - forechecking, staying in front of the net, not sitting back and defending a one goal lead. 15 goals in 4 games - yeah baby!!!!

[RIO]

Yeah those "monkeys" can give you a real crick in the neck! :D

Plus they smell bad. :evil:

Go Canes! :D

[rons#1fan]

Yeah those "monkeys" can give you a real crick in the neck! :D

Plus they smell bad. :evil:

Go Canes! :D

..and they're distracting when the guys are hustling down the ice and they're feeding off their heads....

[tommy]

It would be awesome to overtake ATL in the standings tonight. Play the same brand of hockey that they did against Tampa, and it's a done deal. I really hope that we can play like that from now on! Maybe we can keep on getting goals from unlikely guys, too, like C. Adams and Vrbata, who haven't scored much this year but have scored once or twice in the past handful of games.

[RIO]

..and they're distracting when the guys are hustling down the ice and they're feeding off their heads....


That *is* an untidy problem, what with the screaming and flailing and all. That should be eliminated. Move the nets. No icing. No cannibal brain-eating monkeys. Sounds do-able. :smoke:

[rons#1fan]

..and they're distracting when the guys are hustling down the ice and they're feeding off their heads....


That *is* an untidy problem, what with the screaming and flailing and all. That should be eliminated. Move the nets. No icing. No cannibal brain-eating monkeys. Sounds do-able. :smoke:

..and we haven't even touched upon the obstacles they leave on the ice :roll: Filthy primates...the monkeys I mean...

[guinevere]

Follow off topic road... follow the off topic road... follow, follow, follow, follow follow the off topic road....

At least they weren't flying monkeys.... :eek2:

[rons#1fan]

Follow off topic road... follow the off topic road... follow, follow, follow, follow follow the off topic road....

At least they weren't flying monkeys.... :eek2:


as chorused in LIONS & TIGERS & BEARS.....Oh My! :angel: Sorry...

[EyeOfTheStorm]

haha..freudian slip on the CH.com pregame skate..

Forward Marty Murray, fractured left hand, expected to miss four weekes, missed three games (3/10-3/13)

[rkbrasse]

Not flying monkeys. What a gip.

[CANESFREAKinDET]

This would be so great if the Canes could snag a win tonight. Can't wait to see it....as I finally get to be at home viewing the gae for once instead of somewhere else. Wheee!!! And against the Thrashers. We usually own them, so I'm getting kinda giddy already just kinda hoping for another high- scoring, exciting game. Should be a thrill. :)

And as for them monkeys...I think they'll still be kept away tonight! :D

[mikus]

Who's gonna be in goal tonight?

Weekes I suppose!?

[Turbulence]

The newspaper said Weekes was to be in goal...he played the last game in Atlanta, so perhaps we'll try to mix it up and go with Archie.

I've got high hopes for this one. Respectable finish, here we come!

[caveman]

From the ajc.com:Did you know: The Hurricanes snapped Tampa Bay's streak of points in 18 straight games with a 5-1 win Saturday. The Hurricanes have won four of their past six and are 7-3-2-2 in their past 14 games for 18 out of 32 points.

Anyone else notice that 14 games lends a possible 28 points, not 32 as the AJC writes?

*sarcasm* what, did they hire Luke DeCock? */sarcasm*

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Is Weekes trying to hop like Grahame? Geez!! Just STAY in the NET!!

[cmw00]

Wonder what we'd have to trade for Garnett Exelby? I like that kid!

[cmw00]

The canes don't exactly look flat, but the thrashers have came out hungry!

Aaron Ward blocks a shot at an empty net!

[goalie33]

Ward has one of those weird new Bauer helmets that Ronnie is wearing...and Tripp won't stop comparing shot blocking to the great works of art in the Western world.

[cmw00]

That was interference on Rourke? Sort of questionable, maybe if he'd kept his hand on his stick instead.....

[Alicia]

Geez!! Just STAY in the NET!!

My sentiments exactly! He's gonna cause me to have a stroke!

[Stormbringer]

...and Tripp won't stop comparing shot blocking to the great works of art in the Western world.

:laugh:

I swear the best John and Tripp moment of this season happened in the first period...it will go down in my book as the "Breakfast Club". :D Basically, Tripp was talking about how great his breakfast this morning or yesterday morning was, and asked John what he had for breakfast. John replied "Um...I forgot.", and tried to go back to announcing the game. Tripp asked John "Don't you remember anything you had for breakfast?" or something like that. And John answered "It wasn't *that* memorable.". After two more minutes of announcing the game, Tripp says out of nowhere "Well, I'm not really an omelet man.", and John responded in a "Shut up!" sort of way, "Well, I *am*."

The scary thing about all that? It was during a tied game, and was *nothing* compared to when the Canes are down. :crazy:

[guinevere]

Anybody see anyone we know on the cut away to the crowd?

[cmw00]

I still like Tracy discussing all aspects of Alcatraz the entire 2 minutes of a canes powerplay earlier in the season.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I still like Tracy discussing all aspects of Alcatraz the entire 2 minutes of a canes powerplay earlier in the season.

Sad part is, that was probably more entertaining than our PP, at the time. :beatup: ;)

[goalie33]

Anybody see anyone we know on the cut away to the crowd?

All of them! :D

[talkingcanes]

How much money would I have to offer JF for him to slap Tripp just once for me :evil: By the time this 5 game road trip is over, I may watch the whole game without sound.

Get him Johnny. That made me feel better (the crack about someone from Mass. being happy to talk to Tripp.) Go John Go!!

[brindy17]

I think I just had the idea of the year...Assuming he doesn't want to play another year, we should offer Ronnie Franchise the color commentator position and kick Tripp Tracy to the curb! Think about it: No more food references, no more inside out jackets, no more red blazers....just good, pure, insightful commentary all directly related to the hockey game! who's with me? :beatup:

[goalie33]

I think I just had the idea of the year...Assuming he doesn't want to play another year, we should offer Ronnie Franchise the color commentator position and kick Tripp Tracy to the curb! Think about it: No more food references, no more inside out jackets, no more red blazers....just good, pure, insightful commentary all directly related to the hockey game! who's with me?

Not me. Ronnie won't be nearly as entertaining when we're down by a bunch. Plus, he doesn't want to travel anyway.

[talkingcanes]

Francis does a lot of things well, but I can't see him in a broadcast booth. He's not animated enough. Aaron Ward is great though. Too bad we need him on the ice.

Maybe a bit of divine intervention for the Canes. I mean there is a priest with a Canes' jersey on. That has to count for something ;)

A bit flatter performance tonight, but they are getting fired up now!

[cmw00]

Now thats what I like to see! An entire line from the canes going at if for each other!

Bayda and Ziggy standing up for Boulerice! Excellent! :beatup:

[StormShaman]

It's just not a 'Canes game without me yelling "SHADDAP, TRIPP!" at the TV at least once. :D

[goalie33]

Maybe a bit of divine intervention for the Canes. I mean there is a priest with a Canes' jersey on. That has to count for something ;)

He sits in 328 a lot. I had no idea he was a priest!

[nccanes]

Maybe a bit of divine intervention for the Canes. I mean there is a priest with a Canes' jersey on. That has to count for something ;)

He sits in 328 a lot. I had no idea he was a priest!

Okay, I'm at work so I haven't seen him on TV, but is this the same guy that sat a few rows in front of us in Atlanta in January? Are you feeling awkward about some of your chants? ;) :beatup:

I saw him at a home game recently with his collar on. Nice guy!

[StormShaman]

Memo to Tripp Tracy:

It's vYACHyeslav. Not VaCHEZlov.

:sick:

Bah.

[cmw00]

Ah Craig tried to get to fancy, but still a good effort! THis game is really picking up in intensity!

[brindy17]

alright alright..bad idea..wow what a chance for Craig Adams..he didn't score, but I like what I saw anyway. Keep it up Craig and Canes!

[guinevere]

By the way....Buffalo 5, Toronto 2 so far for those keeping track.

Back on topic - The Canes seem to be stepping it up a bit but really, do the Thrashers need to try to pull the head off our guy? Isn't that frowned upon?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Oh thats right - we aren't suppose to defend our goaltender.... :roll:

[cmw00]

WTF? That mugging that was just delivered to adams and cole at the other end, then they call a penalty on Wesley for that?

[talkingcanes]

Glen looked like he was in shock! He should be used to the officiating by now. Kill this off boys! Kevyn, let's get a short handed goal. It's been a while since you scored the last one ;) :beatup:

[guinevere]

You mean we didn't get called for offensive facial stick blocking?

[cmw00]

Illegal stick Kovalchuk! :D

[talkingcanes]

the illegal stick was used by Kovalchuk. colored me surprised :roll:

[goalie33]

Good lord, that looks like a stick Bobby Hull would use.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Can't watch the game :cry: so I have to ask, what makes Kovalchuk's stick illegal?

[cmw00]

so I have to ask, what makes Kovalchuk's stick illegal?

The curve of the blade.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Ahhh. Makes sense. Thanks.

[cmw00]

Kovalchuk a 5 minute boarding major!!

Coaching move of the year checking his stick!

[nccanes]

Kovalchuk a 5 minute boarding major!!

Coaching move of the year checking his stick!

Quinn did it in Tampa a few weeks ago. Did it down 1 goal late in the 3rd with a Lightning already in the box (I think). He was right too. They didn't score though.

Anyway, too bad the Canes could get one in.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Exelby better get the F off Staal or I'm gonna have to come down to Atlanta myself. :mad:

[cmw00]

So what about a penalty to the thrashers for roughing up Williams and Staal after the penalty? Not to mention the good beating Exelby put on Staal....

[SouthernHockeyChick]

May we clone Ward?

[talkingcanes]

May we clone Ward?

everything except that penalty would be good!

the third period of this one may be ugly.

[cmw00]

Well theres the makeup call to the canes for the badly missed trip on Ward.

[GrumpyCane]

I think we've passed ugly..... :roll:

[StormShaman]

Yeah, this game is pretty fugly.

Entertaining, but fugly. :beatup:

[talkingcanes]

I think we've passed ugly..... :roll:

I think it's been chippy, but they're on the verge of ugly :beatup:

I just want to see the Canes put 1 or 2 or 4 in the net. It's just time to actually win 3 in a row :eek2:

[guinevere]

I think we've passed ugly..... :roll:

I think it's been chippy, but they're on the verge of ugly :beatup:

I just want to see the Canes put 1 or 2 or 4 in the net. It's just time to actually win 3 in a row :eek2:

Well now you've done it....I prefer to think of it as the first game of a second two game streak. (Waving dead chicken over her head - no jinxes here)

[Stormbringer]

By the way....Buffalo 5, Toronto 2 so far for those keeping track.

:evil:

And IIRC, Sundin got both Leaf goals, meaning Ronnie has no assists.

To get back on-topic...shame our PP has gone back to being itself... (sighs)

[raleighcanesfan]

Ok--I guess I'm an absolute moron, but PLEASE for the love of French Toast (my Trippism of the day) tell me how Kevin McCarthy still has a job coaching the power play and penalty kill. Yes, it looks somewhat better, but how much influence is that from Lavi? How was he the only leftover from the Mo Regime?

Think Lavi will be allowed to replace him with someone out of the Komanos gene pool this summer?

[guinevere]

meaning Ronnie has had no assists.



Ronnie has had no shots....

[Stormbringer]

meaning Ronnie has had no assists.



Ronnie has had no shots....

Ah...thanks for that tidbit. :)

[talkingcanes]

I think we've passed ugly..... :roll:

I think it's been chippy, but they're on the verge of ugly :beatup:

I just want to see the Canes put 1 or 2 or 4 in the net. It's just time to actually win 3 in a row :eek2:

Well now you've done it....I prefer to think of it as the first game of a second two game streak. (Waving dead chicken over her head - no jinxes here)

sorry. I take it back. I forget not to write these things. I don't believe in jinxes so I don't think about it. Please forgive me :beatup:

Please win this first game of your next 2 game streak.

Better ;) :angel:

[talkingcanes]

Hedican's out the rest of the game with the always descriptive upper body injury. We need him on defense. Kovalchuk, you jerk :roll:

[nccanes]

meaning Ronnie has had no assists.



Ronnie has had no shots....

And now he has 1 of each.

Ye of jinxing faith. I believe it to be blasphemy to being discusing the Leafs game in our team's thread.

Now waive the chicken leg aloft and let's talk about Ronnie where he belongs - in the OTHER NHL forum....sigh.

[GrumpyCane]

Apparently Hedican will not return to the game after the hit by Kovulchuk (sp)

[cmw00]

Jesse Should do as trip said and take the instigator, fighting major, game misconduct, and subsequent one game suspension and tell Kovalchuk we don't like that crap!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Ye of jinxing faith. I believe it to be blasphemy to being discusing the Leafs game in our team's thread.



Ditto.

[guinevere]

meaning Ronnie has had no assists.



Ronnie has had no shots....

And now he has 1 of each.

Ye of jinxing faith. I believe it to be blasphemy to being discusing the Leafs game in our team's thread.

Now waive the chicken leg aloft and let's talk about Ronnie where he belongs - in the OTHER NHL forum....sigh.

I have been chastised most righteously...I thus lift the chicken leg on high and say bring on the meade and the swarthy knaves.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Meade, huh? Is this like the Scotch that I don't really get any of? :evil:

Why do we seem to be getting ALL the refs with their thumbs up their asses lately? Can you please let them play the freakin' game? And maybe call the dangerous stuff instead of all this piddly crap?

[goalie33]

Weekes. On. Fire.

[talkingcanes]

Weekes. On. Fire.

I have certainly been critical of Weekes at times, but I can not fault him in the last few games. He has been incredibly good in this game.

[MeanGene]

Big Power Play. Let's get one!

[MeanGene]

Buffalo/Toronto tied in OT at 5. We need 2 points!

No, I have not given up yet! :spin:

[MeanGene]

Atlanta going on a power play with 8:00 left.

I smell a shorty!

[MeanGene]

Keyvy Adams hooked on short handed chance.

[MeanGene]

Toronto just defeated Buffalo in OT.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

:sick:

[MeanGene]

I hope that that idiot who keeps banging on the glass is attending his first hockey game.

[MeanGene]

Damn what a save on Cole!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Yesiree, I believe we have ourselves a grade A goalie death match.

[StormShaman]

GREAT JUMPING JIMINY CHRISTMAS! :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

Come on 'Canes, score a goal....(preferably two....)

[MeanGene]

Note to Sean Hill: Do not take a penalty! :D

[MeanGene]

Eric Cole is the Freaking Man!

[MeanGene]

I wonder if the pending OT can match last weeks? :spin:

I will take a regulation win though!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Ah, yes, please, hurt ALL our freakin' defensemen. Really, we didn't need them anyway. :eek2:

[MeanGene]

Not a great time to take an icing.

[MeanGene]

We get a point!

[MeanGene]

LET'S GO CANES!!

[goalie33]

A point is great, yes, but we NEED two. GO CANES!!

[guinevere]

Pffffft!

[MeanGene]

DAMN!

This is only about the 4th time that Atlanta has beaten us ever!

[tommy]

****!!!!

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

All of the above. *sigh*

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I hate, HATE, HATE goals like that. :mad: :mad:

Oh well, maybe this isn't a different team. Maybe this is still the same team that can't seem to string 3 wins together. Still, they are playing more enjoyably....or I'm just expecting less now.

[nccanes]

Talk about jarring. I was talking with someone here at work and heard Chuck say "they SCOOOORE" and for a brief second he sounded so excited that I thought we'd won. Then I head the horn. Damn it.

If someone would like to tell me about the goal, I'd appreciate it. Or maybe not. :sad:

[StormShaman]

:eek2:

Wow. That was a hell of a game--I am not at all upset. Disappointed that we didn't win, but it was a damn good game.

[Stormbringer]

Y'know...that was ironically (especially with T.O. winning tonight) so reminiscent of the Leafs' win on 2/19 and Tucker's "goal". :mad: :sick:

Grrrrr... :mad: Despite that, still a great game...and at least we got a point.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

If someone would like to tell me about the goal, I'd appreciate it. Or maybe not. :sad:

Remember the OT goal Darcy Tucker scored with his ass.....meaning, his ass and the puck both slid into the net? It was just like that.

[tommy]

I would put down a nice wager and say that Kovalchuk has scored 15-20 percent of his goals this year with an illegal stick like his tonight. And I'd bet even more money that Hartley OK'd it and hoped Kovalchuk didn't get caught.

It was an intense game, but I still don't see how we didn't put it away. Talk about anti-climatic... But hey, it only meant jumping Atlanta in the standings, right? Wouldn't want to do that...

After 9 goals in two games when I didn't watch, they go scoreless tonight when I do. **** it, I just won't watch anymore.

I also can't believe that it took all ****ing season for them to finally play with some emotion against Atlanta. This should be a HUGE rivalry, but every time we play them, even when we win, it's not even that emotional.

Whatever, this sucks. Win three damn games, guys. Is it REALLY that hard???

[nccanes]

If someone would like to tell me about the goal, I'd appreciate it. Or maybe not. :sad:

Remember the OT goal Darcy Tucker scored with his ass.....meaning, his ass and the puck both slid into the net? It was just like that.

Ugh. Chuck made it sound like it was much more acrobatic. I think he said something about a fake and a figure 8, lol.

Oh well. Hope the Caniacs in Atlanta get safely out of the arena and home! :sad:

[PhilEsposito]

OK, we played hard, we got a point. ATL came out with an attitude. I don't think they liked the last game. ATL was really hittin hard. Weekes kept us in this one all the way. That is Weekes and damned good luck in the first period. If they had scored on all their open nets it would have been 5 zip, and that's without the two off the pipes. Cole was a flyin there at the end dontcha know. I said 3 weeks ago I wanted to see us average a point a game and we are. Too damned many penalties and no damned offensive flow. I loved however, when Kads negated an icing behind their net which led to 45 seconds of zone time and several chances for us. Yahoo for agressive forechecking. I'm not bummed out about tonite. Just an unfortunate final score.

[apolinar]

Monkeys,
Take your position on our backs.
No three game streak.
I believe it was jinxed. :smoke:

Buffalo gets one, Atlanta gets two, we get one. Islanders: we'll see what they do. It seems Atlanta, Buffalo, and the canes all of a sudden woke up and figured they still have a big chance at the playoffs. Hope we don't see the Isles wake up soon.

Overall good game. 3rd period had lots of flow and two great Eric Cole breakaways with opposing goaltending great to boot. I can't wait for Heatley to get new teeth.

[Shell]

Please keep the Toronto talk in the Toronto threads and not in our game threads! Also, the other remark about Heatley was stricken from the record. No more of that crap please

[canefan2k1]

Also, the other remark about Heatley was stricken from the record. No more of that crap please

Sorry about that. Just a little voice of opinion. My apologies if that offended anyone.

On a lighter note, the 'Canes played hard, as did Weekes and Nurminen. It was a very entertaining game; too bad it had to end on such a note.

[Caniac4life]

The Canes escapes with their lives in the 1st. Played better the rest of the way but the Thrashers never allowed us any breathing room in their end. They had the upper hand most of the night as far as end to end play goes. Again, with the PP chances the Canes had, they could have stolen this one but could never get a legitimate chance at the scoring.

[CANESFREAKinDET]

Well...I'm curious as to how many other goals Kovalchuk has scored with that nice illegal stick there... :roll:

Ah well....I feel the same way as you, tommy. I finally watch a game and then look, they lose. Not only that, but they score very few goals as well. Yay for me: well yay for the both of us I guess. lmao. :) I have no other thoughts really but to hope that things can turn around for the next game against the Blackhawks. Should be a pretty good game for us, hopefully a win, as they just got off a shut out from the other night. The team that brought it upon them conveniently slips my maind of course but i think it was like 3-0 or 5-0. So maybe we can capitalize on their loss of confidence and gain two more points here. Doesn't sound very nice on my part, but hey ;) I mean it in all the best intentions here, of course...for the Canes! ;)

I was just disappointed that we couldn't capitalize on all those close calls we had, and GOD can our power play get any more dismal. Way to capitalize really... :roll:

PLEASE show me a half of a win Wed!! (I say this because I'll be at work the first half, and seeing noly the second) I mean...you guys do pretty darned good when my eyes are elsewhere, so get a good start for me. :beatup: A win before the season ends when I'm watching would be kicka** too you know... lol

[goalie33]

Remember the OT goal Darcy Tucker scored with his ass.....meaning, his ass and the puck both slid into the net? It was just like that.

Ugh. Chuck made it sound like it was much more acrobatic. I think he said something about a fake and a figure 8, lol.

The goal was much more acrobatic. Heatley came in from the wing, charged to the post and looked like he was going to center to the Thrashers that were crashing the net, but he went quick five hole. The people crashing into Weekes had nothing to do with the goal; he was still up and square for the pass and the shot surprised him.

I thought the puck had gone in off a body charging into the net, too, but it was in way before then.

[nccanes]

I would put down a nice wager and say that Kovalchuk has scored 15-20 percent of his goals this year with an illegal stick like his tonight. And I'd bet even more money that Hartley OK'd it and hoped Kovalchuk didn't get caught.

Well Tommy. You were right on the money.

Saying your hockey team isn't physical enough is an insult most players aren't willing to bear.

That's what Thrashers coach Bob Hartley said about his team after Friday's loss at Carolina -- virtually ensuring the same wouldn't happen in the rematch Monday.

After the Thrashers' 1-0 win over Carolina on Monday before 11,669 at Philips Arena, Hartley lauded his team's toughness in a hot-tempered, body-crashing affair.

"Emotions were running high on both sides," Hartley said. ". . . Some big hits, lots of retaliation and [the officials] kept the game under control."

Dany Heatley scored his eighth goal for the game-winner with 3:17 left in overtime, as Thrashers defenseman Shawn Heins slid into Hurricanes goalie Kevin Weekes on the play.

The win was the Thrashers' second in a row and a franchise-record 16th at home. The shutout by Pasi Nurminen (31 saves) was his third of the season, which tied him for the franchise mark with Milan Hnilicka.

Nurminen has allowed only three goals in regulation once in his past six starts.

What stood out about the game was its physical nature, with the officials calling 17 penalties without a fighting major. In fact, the only major went to Ilya Kovalchuk, who elbowed Carolina defenseman Bret Hedican in the head, knocking him from the game, 53 seconds after Kovalchuk came out of the penalty box for serving an illegal stick penalty. (League rules govern the maximum curve of a stick.)

Kovalchuk conceded that he was mad about the illegal stick call -- a penalty for which he has become somewhat notorious during his three short seasons.

"It's cheap," said Kovalchuk, who collected his 40th assist on the winning goal.

Hartley was asked if he knew Kovalchuk's stick was illegal.

"Let me think; I wasn't sure," he said, coyly. "I told the referee that he didn't even need to measure it."
Carolina asked the officials to check Kovalchuk's stick after Randy Robitaille was sent off for high-sticking. The Hurricanes' Aaron Ward was already in the box, but the two calls gave Carolina a two-man advantage for 1:39.

But the Thrashers' penalty killing, which ranks fifth in the league, was flawless, negating all 10 Hurricanes chances.

The win also ended a frustrating stretch for the Thrashers, who had lost three times in regulation and once in overtime in five previous meetings against Carolina.



So Kovy uses an illegal stick, admits to bashing Hedican in the head because he got caught, and he calls the penalty on the illegal stick "cheap". I hope he gets fined (since we're on hyper awareness mode for risk of injury actions). :mad:

[CANESFREAKinDET]

Yea, I wish he would get fined too...but then again he's ILLllyyaaaaaa Kovalllchukkk...they could never!!! he contributes wayyy too much to the game of hockey!! :roll:

NHL: You need to really start paying attention to each and every player here. So they might contribute goals and such to the game and are one of the league's stars. Cool. BUT even for something more on the minor side like this and not drastic like Todd... it should still be getting a look at. First the illegal stick, THEN pounding Hedi who didn't even come back because of re-evaluations. PLEASE! I wish there was something that coulda been done, like the team having to automatically forfeit after that, or something because seriously, any move with Mr. Kovalchuk on the ice before that was crap, not legit, and I'm leery about everything else after Stickgate too. Call me paranoid, but sheesh. They cheat in this game (well at least Ilya did) and Lord knows whatever other one, even though this one's the one of importance. And the reward is a win. Gee thanks. I am just so seething. :mad: Should be looked at, all you big cheeses out there!

[tommy]

IMO, after one warning, an illegal stick should result in a suspension. You are physically cheating if your stick is longer or more curved than the rules stipulate, and you have a decided advantage. I mean, sheesh, aren't the curved composite sticks advantage enough?

And, to answer any questions that may arise, I would support the same penalty if a goalie's pads were oversized... suspension. This type of thing is different from impeding a player or raising your stick on one occasion. It is a continuous and decided advantage.

[goalie33]

The penalty for illegal goaltending equipment is suspension in a way, in that said equipment is confiscated and the goaltender is not allowed to play until he produces legal equipment.

However, goaltenders, particularly Garth Snow, are clever enough to step around the rules. For example, Snow's pads are within the 38" length limit, but he had them built without boot channels. Instead of conforming to his skate, they sit on top of the skate cowling, giving him more thigh rise length to close the five hole. Illegal goalie equipment doesn't come down to something as simple as the stick curve template.

[Caniac2417]

Intense game tonight. I wish it would have resulted in a win, but at least we got one point out of it.

[CANESFREAKinDET]

Can't really go wrong with at least one point. It could have been worse. I try to think of that each time the Canes get at least that one point.

I mean , hey, we could have lost in Regulation 1-0, and not even HAD an OT. That would have sucked even more I think. I'm happy with the point, and will take it right now, better than nuthin! :beatup:

[AbNormal27]

10 points. 10 games. The gap is closing, but so is the regular season. Keepin' the faith.

Aaryn

[Guyute]

Hartley said. ". . . Some big hits, lots of retaliation and [the officials] kept the game under control."


rofl. uh, yeah. "control" if you consider making sure 92% of the game is played 4 on 4. I think the league office wanted to run a trial on a full-game of 4 on 4, and picked that game to try it with. the on ice refs were told "It doesn't matter what you call... just try and at least pick someone who was going something more than skating. other than that, we don't care. If one team takes a real penalty, give one to the other team. we want 4 on 4 as much as possible."

under control. please. that was ridiculous.

[Guyute]

btw- anyone take notice of how ENORMOUS Cartman's chest-protector is? holy crap. guess he's using the biggest one he can find until they mandate a restriction.

[Shell]

Here is the crap goal:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040316/capt.axg10403160401.hurricanes_thrashers_axg104.jp g

and Pasi looked like a blowfish with that chest protector!

[Solracer]

The puck was already in by the time weekes got ran into, Heatly put it through his legs by then, the goal should have never scored, as everyone noticed weekes was expecting pass and I am sure Heatly looked that way right before he shot it... argh!

[Shell]

the puck was in, by about a 1/4 of a second.. I can see getting distracted if a rush of bodies was immediately following the puck!

[murda338]

I didnt see the goal but obviously the net in that pic is dislodged how did that goal count?

I was busy playing NHL 2004 as canes v habs verusing a freind a do-over round 2 series cept this time we won 4-1 :D And Weekes scored a EN

[Solracer]

I didnt see the goal but obviously the net in that pic is dislodged how did that goal count?


Because the puck had crossed the line before the net came off, when I watched the replay, weeks was ran into at the same time the goal hit the back of the net, so the goal counted, Weekes bit on the fake and it cost us the game, of course heatly should not have been all alone there in front of Weekes either so there is blame to share.

[RIO]

Kevin would have stopped that puck no problem if he hadn't been PLOWED over. What a stupid goal. That totally wasn't Kevin's fault in the least.

[Solracer]

Kevin would have stopped that puck no problem if he hadn't been PLOWED over. What a stupid goal. That totally wasn't Kevin's fault in the least.


Hmm looked like to me in the replay I saw that the puck was between his legs long before he got ran into I am sure it was a distraction, but people chrash the net all the time, but oh well at least we got a point.

[StormShaman]

Kevin would have stopped that puck no problem if he hadn't been PLOWED over. What a stupid goal. That totally wasn't Kevin's fault in the least.

Puck was already in the net, hon. :(

[tommy]

I do think it was a stoppable goal by Kevin, but we really shoulda had Nurminen solved with 31 shots. But that one save on Cole where he stretched out his arm just in time... wow!!! :eek:

[nccanes]

I do think it was a stoppable goal by Kevin, but we really shoulda had Nurminen solved with 31 shots.

Weekes admitted that he thought Heatley would pass.

[goalie33]

the puck was in, by about a 1/4 of a second.. I can see getting distracted if a rush of bodies was immediately following the puck!

Weekes was watching Heatley. In situations like that, your focus is on the puck and the play and nothing else, even if you are getting run. Weekes got beat because he was cheating to the pass, and for no other reason.

[murda338]

the puck was in, by about a 1/4 of a second.. I can see getting distracted if a rush of bodies was immediately following the puck!

Weekes was watching Heatley. In situations like that, your focus is on the puck and the play and nothing else, even if you are getting run. Weekes got beat because he was cheating to the pass, and for no other reason.

and im guessing you wouldnt have been faked :D

[RIO]

Kevin would have stopped that puck no problem if he hadn't been PLOWED over. What a stupid goal. That totally wasn't Kevin's fault in the least.

Puck was already in the net, hon. :(

*puts head on Cam's shoulder* Yeah. Maybe it was. *rattling sigh* :sad:

[goalie33]

and im guessing you wouldnt have been faked :D

I was just trying to point out that a goalie's primary concern is stopping the puck, not looking out for charging forwards. There's no shame in it...it's Dany Heatley. Weekes was great, we got a point, the goal was pretty, 'tis all.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Well we just got home from Atlanta.. ;) Good game.. very physical.. and I have to say that Kovalchuk is a dirty fuc*in *******!! After he hit Bret, he came towards him and the refs were holding him off.. I wanted to go out there and kick his stupid ass my self!! :mad: :mad: SHC too bad you didn't come on down..we could have done it together! ;) The crowd was mostly nice.. a few asswads afterwards... we sat in 110.. (108 last time).. I missed seeing O on the ice..getting his hat trick! :sad: Good effort by the guys.. wish we could have gotten that puck in.. we all tried our best to "will" it in..sorry yall! :sad:

Just a side note, in my hockey brain, I didn't even know the SEC tournament was being played at the Georgia Dome.. Kentucky fans took over Atlanta.. :eek: :crazy:

[tommy]

Just a side note, in my hockey brain, I didn't even know the SEC tournament was being played at the Georgia Dome.. Kentucky fans took over Atlanta.. :eek: :crazy:

I was in Atlanta Friday and Saturday, and you're right, the Kentucky fans were all over the place!

[hyena]

hmmph. at least we got a point, i guess. by reading thru the posts, it looks like the game was as ugly on tv as it was in person. i thought we outplayed them. pasi freaking ROBBED erik -- it was probably the best save he's ever made. *sigh*

found it hilarious they got illlllya for the illegal stick. he can do no wrong, you know, and the fans were still booing after they announced what the infraction was. :roll: anyway, the refs were busy enough. we were hoping to see jesse throwdown but it was not meant to be.

not to mention that damn thrasher bird squirted us with silly string and proceeded to lay its beak on my head. i was not amused. :beatup:

[Jeff O Rocks]

not to mention that damn thrasher bird squirted us with silly string and proceeded to lay its beak on my head. i was not amused. :beatup:

Yep.. I forgot about that.. and yes..Amanda was beaked by Thrasher.. it was not a pretty sight.. and I got "bombed" by him while waiting outside for the team.. Thrasher crap on my jersey was not pretty either.. :D

[nccanes]

From today's N/O:

Atlanta peeves Canes
By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer

CHICAGO -- The Carolina Hurricanes have scores to settle with the Atlanta Thrashers, the officiating crew and perhaps the NHL as well after Monday's 1-0 overtime loss in Atlanta.

Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford spent more than 10 minutes on the phone with NHL executive vice president Colin Campbell on Tuesday to demand the league take a closer look at two incidents in what Rutherford called a "very physical, dirty" second period Monday.

As of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, no supplementary discipline -- fines or suspensions -- had been issued by the NHL. The league has until the Thrashers' next game tonight to act.

"It's certainly worthy of review," Rutherford said.

In the first incident, Atlanta forward Ilya Kovalchuk took revenge for getting caught with an illegal stick by elbowing Carolina defenseman Bret Hedican in the head. Kovalchuk was given a five-minute major penalty but not the accompanying game misconduct that by rule is supposed to be issued when the infraction causes a head injury.

Hedican missed almost all of the third period Monday with a potential concussion, although he practiced Tuesday and is probable for tonight's game at the Chicago Blackhawks. Kovalchuk helped set up the game-winning goal in overtime.

The Canes were also angry with an unpenalized spear by Atlanta's Garnet Exelby to the midsection of Carolina forward Erik Cole while the Canes were on the five-on-three power play that resulted from the Kovalchuk illegal-stick call. Cole said Exelby stabbed him in the thigh, then just above the belt.

Carolina players said referee Dean Warren, who was working the game with Marc Joanette, issued a verbal warning but did not call a penalty.

"It was a clear-cut spear," Canes coach Peter Laviolette said. "Right off the faceoff, he had it in his stomach."

In the wake of Todd Ber-tuzzi's brutal attack and the league's decision to fine the Vancouver Canucks for the team's culpability in his actions, some of the Canes thought the Thrashers should face a similar fine for what they saw as a concerted series of violent acts.

"It would appear to me," Rutherford said, "a coach could have better control over what his players are doing."

The Kovalchuk hit on Hedican had its origins almost two minutes earlier, when the Canes demanded a check of Kovalchuk's stick in an attempt to turn a power play into a two-man advantage.

To no one's surprise, Kovalchuk's blade had far too much curve to be legal.

There's an unofficial code in hockey that stick checks are to be used only in the most desperate situations, and for the Canes the playoff implications of a game against Atlanta are immediate.

The Hurricanes are 10 points back of a playoff spot with 10 games to play -- the New York Islanders, in eighth place, played Tuesday at the Tampa Bay Lightning. Atlanta is one of the teams standing between Carolina and the Islanders.

"If he didn't like the call, he shouldn't play with an illegal stick," Laviolette said. "I wish the penalty had hurt them. If he had been out of the game, they wouldn't have scored in overtime."

Kovalchuk called the stick check "cheap" after the game, but his feelings on the issue were pretty clear at that point.

When he got out of the box two minutes later -- the Canes, who went 0-for-10 on the power play, failed to score -- Kovalchuk railroaded Hedican with an elbow to the head.



I would guess that there is a slim chance that Kovalchuk gets further discipline since they made no announcement and the Thrashers play tonight. Seems like they would have made that decision yesterday. Oh well.

[Jeff O Rocks]

If it had happened with MOST guys in the league, more would have been done about his hit on Hedi and that stick.. he is the "Golden Child" of hockey and nothing will be done.. he is so freakin cocky.. in practice and in the game..... :mad:

[corylav]

If it had happened with MOST guys in the league, more would have been done about his hit on Hedi and that stick.. he is the "Golden Child" of hockey and nothing will be done.. he is so freakin cocky.. in practice and in the game..... :mad:

I think you were on TV at some point. I only know you from this teeny avatar picture, but saw someone in a Canes jersey with long blondish hair that coulda been you. Did you know?

*sorry if someone mentioned this earlier in the thread ... I've been away a few days.

[Jeff O Rocks]

If it had happened with MOST guys in the league, more would have been done about his hit on Hedi and that stick.. he is the "Golden Child" of hockey and nothing will be done.. he is so freakin cocky.. in practice and in the game..... :mad:

I think you were on TV at some point. I only know you from this teeny avatar picture, but saw someone in a Canes jersey with long blondish hair that coulda been you. Did you know?

*sorry if someone mentioned this earlier in the thread ... I've been away a few days.

Someone had mentioned it earlier, but that is ok.. I was wearing my O jersey... we had fun but felt quite outnumbered......... :crazy:

[RIO]

Ilya Kovalchuk needs a good paddling and a little forced labor building houses for the underpriviledged, and then we'll see what he thinks of fair-unfair after THAT. Spoiled child.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Ilya Kovalchuk needs a good paddling and a little forced labor building houses for the underpriviledged, and then we'll see what he thinks of fair-unfair after THAT. Spoiled child.

I agree.. he is a spoiled, cocky, dirty hitting little brat...... :mad:

[Turbulence]

Kovalchuk called the stick check "cheap" after the game, but his feelings on the issue were pretty clear at that point.

I don't see how. He was breaking the rules, and he knew he was. How is it cheap for us to try to gain a level playing field? It's completely his fault that he put his team in that position.

[Solracer]

I don't see how. He was breaking the rules, and he knew he was. How is it cheap for us to try to gain a level playing field? It's completely his fault that he put his team in that position.


Actually I would not be suppriesed to find out that thier are a few canes using and illegal stick, as mentioned in that an article some where you generally do not pull the illegal stick call unless it is a deperate situation, a lot of players do it in the regular season, they genrally stop when it gets cloes to the playoffs for that reason, heck Bob Hartley was quoted as telling the refs the did not even need to check it so go figure.

[Turbulence]

Actually I would not be suppriesed to find out that thier are a few canes using and illegal stick, as mentioned in that an article some where you generally do not pull the illegal stick call unless it is a deperate situation, a lot of players do it in the regular season, they genrally stop when it gets cloes to the playoffs for that reason, heck Bob Hartley was quoted as telling the refs the did not even need to check it so go figure.

Hey, if it's illegal it's illegal, and nobody should be doing it. It is our right as a team to question his stick curve. If they had wanted to check one of our sticks, they could have, but they didn't.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Actually I would not be suppriesed to find out that thier are a few canes using and illegal stick, as mentioned in that an article some where you generally do not pull the illegal stick call unless it is a deperate situation, a lot of players do it in the regular season, they genrally stop when it gets cloes to the playoffs for that reason, heck Bob Hartley was quoted as telling the refs the did not even need to check it so go figure.

Hey, if it's illegal it's illegal, and nobody should be doing it. It is our right as a team to question his stick curve. If they had wanted to check one of our sticks, they could have, but they didn't.

I agree Turby.. I have confidence in Wally and his staff that this would not happen here.. and I think our players don't think they are above the rules.. which is exactly what Kovalchump thinks he is.. :mad:

[CANESFREAKinDET]

Kovalchump!!! Mona that is great! lol. I was thnking more along the lines of Kovalschmuck but ok. :D

But I totally agree...he IS a selfish spoiled little brat. I know he's great in the league's eyes with all his 'astounding' plays or whatever and all his goals and he's supposedly the poster child for the youth of the NHL, but PLEASE. Recognize when he breaks the rules, especially in the gross manner he and his teammates did the other day! hey played like a bunch of goons! If Kovalchuk can't take the heat for a penalty when he gets caught with something illegal, or ANY penalty for that matter, then he needs to walk his cocky ass away from the game. I like our Eric Staal much better. he may not score as many goals as Ilya YET ;) but our poster boy for NHL youth has CLASS, baby! :vamp:

[Solracer]

Hey, if it's illegal it's illegal, and nobody should be doing it. It is our right as a team to question his stick curve. If they had wanted to check one of our sticks, they could have, but they didn't.


I never said that we didn't espically at this time of the year, and I do not think that any of players are using illegal equipment, and it would suprise me if they would be doing it at this time of the year.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Kovalchump!!! Mona that is great! lol. I was thnking more along the lines of Kovalschmuck but ok. :D

But I totally agree...he IS a selfish spoiled little brat. I know he's great in the league's eyes with all his 'astounding' plays or whatever and all his goals and he's supposedly the poster child for the youth of the NHL, but PLEASE. Recognize when he breaks the rules, especially in the gross manner he and his teammates did the other day! hey played like a bunch of goons! If Kovalchuk can't take the heat for a penalty when he gets caught with something illegal, or ANY penalty for that matter, then he needs to walk his cocky ass away from the game. I like our Eric Staal much better. he may not score as many goals as Ilya YET ;) but our poster boy for NHL youth has CLASS, baby! :vamp:

:D ...and Eric is all class... no hot doggin' or dirty hits from that guy! ;)

[goalie33]

I wouldn't be surprised if someone on our team was using an illegal stick, either, but the curve limit is very conservative and a stick could be illegal even if it doesn't have a huge bend like Kovalchuk's. The one time I can remember noticing a big curve on one of our guy's sticks was when I took note of the curve in O's stick from upstairs. :eek2:

[puckin_A]

I had to work monday night (as well as tonight)....but I taped Mondays
game and watched it today.

I SAW AMANDA AND MONA ON TV!!!!

:D

[Jeff O Rocks]

I had to work monday night (as well as tonight)....but I taped Mondays
game and watched it today.

I SAW AMANDA AND MONA ON TV!!!!

:D

We will have an autograph table set up where the Storm Squad "used" to be.. lmao :D :p

[nccanes]

This is kind of funny, yet kind of bizarre. :laugh:

From the Hartford Courant:

How I Got My Whalers Revenge (Finally)
March 27, 2004
Dana Tofig

I'd been sulking for seven years. The last time I went to a National Hockey League game was 1997. It was one of the last games that the Hartford Whalers played in Connecticut before they packed up their pads and their completely empty trophy case and moved to Carolina.

I vowed never to go to an NHL game again. But upon moving to Atlanta in 2000 - home of the Thrashers - I started to soften. Maybe I'd go back someday - under one condition: My first game back would be the Thrashers vs. the Carolina Hurricanes. I'd wear my blue Hartford Whalers jersey and my green Whalers hat, and every chance I got, I'd let the Carolina players know how bitter I was.

Finally, after four years in Atlanta, my schedule and the NHL's merged. On March 15, the Thrashers played the Hurricanes. Before the game, I warned my companions, David and Nathan, that the friendly, upbeat guy they knew at church was about to become an obnoxious, angry and bitter hockey fan.

As we approached the ticket window, I threw on my Whalers jersey and hat. The looks I got ranged from "What team is that?" to "Let it go, loser!" But I was undeterred. I was a late-blooming Whalers fan, but a rabid one.

As Peter Karmanos was threatening to move the Whalers during the 1996-97 season, I decided to do my part. I went to 20 games and spent a lot of money on tickets, merchandise and refreshments. But state leaders and Karmanos couldn't reach a compromise. Before the season was out, Karmanos announced he was packing up his team and his ponytail and heading to Carolina.

I was done with hockey. Until March 15, that is.

The night started great. As we entered Philips Arena, I recognized the distant clicking of sticks against the ice and the violent thud of someone being checked against the boards. I saw the sickening red-and-white uniforms of the Carolina Hurricanes, whose logo looks like an overcooked cherry Danish.

My seat was right next to the Carolina bench. Exxx-celllent! I began planning my first heckle: the classic "YOU STINK!" But this was seven years of bitterness - I had to do better than that.

As I pondered this dilemma, a puck ricocheted off the ice and into the Carolina bench. One of the Carolina trainers picked up the puck, looked around, saw my Whalers jersey and gave it to me.

Now, perhaps I should have heaved it back at him. Or tried to find Karmanos - He Who Killed The Whale - and launched it at his head. Or maybe I should have tossed it back on the ice, like at a Cubs game. But I had never held a game puck before. It was still cold and wet. Neato!

As the night went on, I became emboldened. Soon, I was in full heckle mode. After the first period, Defenseman Glen Wesley - one of the few former Whalers still on the 'Canes - trundled toward the locker room. With Whaler pride and few beers coursing through my veins, I stood up and screamed, "You never shoulda left Hartford, Wesley!" (Lame.) But Wesley turned around, saw my jersey and gave me a salute.

Maybe he was thinking, "What the hell did this guy say?" But to me, it was an acknowledgment of all things Whale.

Suddenly, one of trainers looked up and said, "Blame your governor!" I was incredulous. You can't heckle me!

So I opened my mouth and out came this: "I BLAME KARMANOS AND HIS FREAKING PONYTAIL! TELL HIM HE OWES ME MONEY!"

What does that mean? I have no idea. But I was the Whale guy. I played the part beautifully.

The Thrashers won. I stood up and started some rapid-fire heckling, thrusting my hat in the face of every Hurricanes player as he left the ice. Even my buddy David got Whale fever and joined in the heckling.

As we headed out of Philips Arena, I realized that I was hoarse from all the screaming and giddy because my team won. My team. The Thrashers.

I'll pick up a new jersey before the next game.

Dana Tofig, a Connecticut native, is a reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He worked at The Courant from 1989 to 2000. And he still hates the Braves.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'd probably be bitter if I were a man named "Dana" as well. :laugh:

Sorry, couldn't pass that up. :evil:

[Alicia]

I'd probably be bitter if I were a man named "Dana" as well. :laugh:

Sorry, couldn't pass that up. :evil:

LOL! :laugh:

[Stormbringer]

I'd probably be bitter if I were a man named "Dana" as well. :laugh:

Sorry, couldn't pass that up. :evil:

LOL! :laugh:

Seconded! :laugh: :D

[StormShaman]

:roll: was my reaction to that article. Some people need to just get the hell over it and grow the hell up, seriously.

I don't trust Pete Karmanos any further than I can throw my car--but John Rowland is just as much to blame for the Whalers leaving Hartford. He HATES hockey, especially professional hockey, and he wanted the Whalers out so he could throw damn near the entire state treasury at the Patriots (who decided at the last minute that they wanted to stay in Massachusetts).

But some people just won't ever get it, I guess. :roll:

[tommy]

If he hates Karmanos so much, why was he heckling Wesley? LOL, what an ass...