Opening Night Game Thread!!! @ Tampa 10/5/05

[Canesluver]

Wow! I got so busy at work, I totally forgot about my promise to have a game thread up about 36 hours prior to the puck dropping. My apologies!!

How wonderful does that sound, folks -- OPENING NIGHT!!

A REAL hockey game, at last. Be sure to tune into WRAL at 7:00PM tomorrow night prior to game time. They're supposed to be doing a special feature on the 'Canes. Let's make sure we record it for our not-so-lucky-as-to-live-in-the Triangle fellow Caniacs.

There should be a lot of emotion in this game as the remaining Tampa players see their banners raised to the roof. Hopefully our boys will spoil the fun! :evil:

Game on at 7:30PM

LET'S GO 'CANES!!!

[cmw00]

I'd like to see Stillman get a hat trick!!

Or atleast have a good game, and a canes win!

[Turbulence]

It's gonna be great!

I can't wait. This is the beginning of the new Carolina Hurricanes. Or, at least, I hope so.

[corylav]

I'd like to see Stillman get a hat trick!!

And then climb the rafters and take the banner with him!

Let's Go Canes!!!!!!!

[nccanes]

An exciting day for all of us NHL-starved folks for sure. It'll be strange to see them on TV for the first time and we'll see John and Tripp together again. Lots of nervous stomachs I bet - fans, broadcasters, and players alike, lol.

I'm planning to get PF Change take out and enjoy the evening. :D

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

A day long awaited for. I am going to celebrate by going to see the W-B/Scr Penguins. I'm sure I will be the only one in the arena with a Canes jersey on though. I'll be checking the scores on my phone probally every few minutes.

[Night Train]

Thanks for the reminder. I need to set the DVR!!!

[nccanes]

Not sure anyone is interested, ;) but the Lightning website will webcast the banner raising ceremony and pregame tomorrow

All of the Tampa Bay Lightning's opening night ceremonies will be webcast live right here on the new tampabaylightning.com. The entire pre-game ceremony, including the raising of the Stanley Cup banner, will be available starting at 6:00p.m. Don't miss this historic event as the Lightning play host to the Carolina Hurricanes at the St. Pete Times Forum.

They've revamped their website completely. Looks very nice.

[Alicia]

:nanner: Can't wait! :nanner:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Not sure anyone is interested, ;) but the Lightning website will webcast the banner raising ceremony and pregame tomorrow



OLN will actually be showing it before the Rangers-Flyers game....or during it, or something...anyway, the ceremony will be on OLN as well. :beatup:

[tommy]

Any idea of radio/TV for the game here in Chapel Hill??

hopefully theyll show it in "the endzone", this sports-theme restaurant we have, but i kinda doubt it

[Canesluver]

It's on Fox Sports Net South, which all the cable and dish companies have. I wouldn't think it'd be hard for a sports bar to find it.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

FSN is always how I watched it when I was in Greenville. Should be channel 50.

[RIO]

For those of us with cable - I noticed that our cable guide doesnt list OLN... does anyone know what channel that would be? We use the CARY channel listings...

[StormChaserBH]

Cary/Apex it should be channel 65

http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx?menu=Programming

[Caniac4life]

An exciting day for all of us NHL-starved folks for sure. It'll be strange to see them on TV for the first time and we'll see John and Tripp together again. Lots of nervous stomachs I bet - fans, broadcasters, and players alike, lol.

I'm planning to get PF Change take out and enjoy the evening. :D

Locking the doors on the shop at 5:30, coming home to stir up some stir-fry and settling in for many hours of Center Ice. Don't have to be at work Thursday until 12:30 in case I overdose :) Agree what you say about seeing them on TV for the first time. Chuck is great on the radidio but it's hard to get the feeling for what's really going on on the the ice without the visual. I hope the obstruction situation gets resolved early in the season. The powerplay should mean something and not become a common part of the game.

[Caniac4life]

Any idea of radio/TV for the game here in Chapel Hill??

hopefully theyll show it in "the endzone", this sports-theme restaurant we have, but i kinda doubt it

Channel 50 on CH/Carrboro Cable. Listed as FSN or FSS.

[Caniac4life]

Not familiar with the "End Zone". Is that on Franklin St?

[SoCalcaniac]

Not sure anyone is interested ;) , but the Lightning website will webcast the banner raising ceremony and pregame tomorrow

And if you really want to get the full scene and have DirecTV, you can also tune into "Lightning Ice Time" on Sunshine network (channel 632) and watch all the festivities and interviews etc. live from the Forum.

Here's hoping the Lightning have Cup celebration activities on the brain, as Torterella has said he fears so much, and are flat as pancakes and our boys take it to 'em..... :spin:

Go Canes!

[apolinar]

Lightning are going down. I can't wait. This is when the new canes shock the NHL into realizing we aren't the bottom feeding team they think we are.

[hyena]

so is the WRAL preview show tonight or tomorrow night? people were saying it was tonight, but the other board says Thursday... :help:

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

The WRAL website says tomorrow at 7.

[Guyute]

yep, Thursday from everything I've seen

[Guyute]

Eye on the Hurricanes
Carolina at Tampa Bay: Today, 7:30 P.M.

Whitney out for opener
Suffering from a different groin injury than the one that kept him out of all but two preseason games, winger Ray Whitney did not travel with the team to Florida for tonight's game, but Justin Williams (shoulder) is likely to play. ... The Hurricanes signed winger Kevin Estrada to a two-year contract on Tuesday. Estrada, 23, was a third-round pick in 2001 who came to rookie camp without a contract and played his way into a deal. He's currently with Lowell (AHL). ... Canes winger Cory Stillman, who won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning, received his ring with the rest of his former teammates at a ceremony in November.

BY THE NUMBERS (2003-04 STATISTICS)

LEADING SCORERS: Cory Stillman (25-55-80), Josef Vasicek (19-26-45), Justin Williams (11-33-44).

PROBABLE GOALIE: Martin Gerber (2.26, 11-12-4).

Banner night for '04 champs

While the celebration was delayed a year because of the lockout, the Lightning will unveil its Stanley Cup championship banner before tonight's game. Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella is concerned that the focus on the past may hurt his team in the present. "We're getting prepared for a very good Carolina team," Tortorella said. "We do have banners to raise, and we want the team to feel good about that, but I've said many times the reminiscing is over." ... The Lightning closed out the preseason with a pair of losses, 5-2 at home to Carolina and 4-0 at the Florida Panthers, going 2-for-20 on the power play.

BY THE NUMBERS (2003-04 STATISTICS)

LEADING SCORERS: Martin St. Louis (38-56-94), Brad Richards (26-53-79), Vincent Lecavalier (32-34-66).

PROBABLE GOALIE: John Grahame (2.06, 18-9-1).

[Turbulence]

Is that right...Grahame gets the start over Burke? Interesting...

[caveman]

Any idea of radio/TV for the game here in Chapel Hill??

hopefully theyll show it in "the endzone", this sports-theme restaurant we have, but i kinda doubt it

Channel 50 on CH/Carrboro Cable. Listed as FSN or FSS.

Same for TWC of Durham. I'll get an hour and a half in before Mrs. Caveman switches over to Lost. :sad:

But at least I'll have the headphones on with Chuck K! :beatup:

[Shell]

Thought the USA Today preview was pretty good. Did have to laugh that they point out we'll miss the offensive side of Sean Hill and no mention at all of losing O.

Hurricanes-Lightning Preview
GAME: Carolina Hurricanes (28-34-14-6) at Tampa Bay Lightning (46-22-8-6).
TIME: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT.

If the Tampa Bay Lightning are going to successfully defend the Stanley Cup, they'll have to do it without the goalie that led them to the championship.

After finally getting to raise the banner for their 2004 Cup victory, the Lightning begin their title defense when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.

Khabibulin left Tampa Bay to sign a $27 million, four-year deal with Chicago in early August. After giving long-term contracts to offensive leaders Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis, Lightning GM Jay Feaster didn't have enough salary cap room to match the Blackhawks' offer.

Now Tampa Bay will have to count on former backup John Grahame as it looks to hold onto the Cup. In 28 games in the 2003-04 season, Grahame went 18-9-1.

Tampa Bay also signed journeyman Sean Burke to team with Grahame.

Despite having capable players in goal, Feaster realizes losing Khabibulin represents a downgrade.

``When Nik Khabibulin came to this franchise he put the legs under the team,'' he said. ``He gave us the opportunity to win day in and day out. Is it a setback? It is.''

Tampa Bay still boasts an impressive group of forwards, led by St. Louis and Lecavalier.

St. Louis won the scoring title and Hart Trophy after posting career highs with 38 goals and 94 points in 2003-04. He was backed by Lecavalier, who had 32 goals and 34 assists.

The Lightning recorded 106 points during their championship season, second in the league to Detroit.

Carolina, meanwhile, hopes its play in the preseason carries over to the regular season. The Hurricanes went 5-2-0-1 this preseason, including a 5-2 win over the Lightning, although Tampa Bay played without St. Louis and Lecavalier.

``It's important to keep in mind that it's an exhibition game and the teams don't have their full lineups,'' Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said. ``But in saying that, exhibitions can set a winning culture or a losing culture.

``I think it is how you approach the game and the players have approached it in order to be successful. I'm happy with the fact we're being successful.''

The Hurricanes haven't qualified for the playoffs since their trip to the 2002 Stanley Cup finals, but a flurry of free-agent signings may give them hope of a return to the postseason.

Veteran Oleg Tverdovsky should improve Carolina's defense. Tverdovsky, who spent the past two seasons playing in his native Russia, joins forwards Ray Whitney and Cory Stillman among Carolina's nine key signings. Stillman was one of Tampa Bay's top players on the 2003-04 championship team, recording 80 points.

With holdovers Rod Brind'Amour, Josef Vasicek, Kevyn Adams, Glen Wesley and Erik Cole, the Hurricanes should be well-positioned to take advantage of the new rules designed to make the NHL more high-scoring.

``I like our team,'' said Brind'Amour, the captain. ``We're deeper, and we've got a skilled team. That means we're young and we have a lot more inexperience, but we have some speed guys that can really fly.''

Carolina did lose one its top offensive players in defenseman Sean Hill to free agency, but Brind'Amour (12 goals, 26 assists) and Vasicek (19 goals and 45 points) will be counted on to make up for Hill's absence.

The Hurricanes scored a league-low 172 goals in 2003-04.

2003-04 STANDINGS: Hurricanes - 76 points, 3rd place, 30 PB, Southeast Division. Lightning - 106 points, 1st place, Southeast Division.

2003-04 TEAM LEADERS: Hurricanes - Vasicek, 19 goals and 45 points; Brind'Amour and Vasicek, 26 assists; Jesse Boulerice, 127 PIM. Lightning - St. Louis, 38 goals, 56 assists and 94 points; Chris Dingman, 140 PIM.

2003-04 SPECIAL TEAMS: Hurricanes - Power play: 13.8 percent (58 for 420), 27th in NHL. Penalty killing: 81.6 percent (320 for 392), 25th. Lightning - Power play: 17.9 percent (70 for 391), 10th. Penalty killing: 82.6 percent (261 for 316), 20th.

2003-04 GOALTENDERS: Hurricanes - Kevin Weekes (23-30-11, 6 SO, 2.33 GAA); Arturs Irbe (5-2-1, 2.45). Lightning - Khabibulin (28-18-7, 3, 2.33); Grahame (18-9-1, 1, 2.06).

2003-04 SEASON SERIES: Lightning, 3-1-2.

LAST MEETING: March 13, 2004; Hurricanes, 5-1. At Tampa, Fla., Hill had two goals as the Hurricanes snapped the Lightning's 18-game point streak.

2003-04 ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Hurricanes - 15-16-6-4 on the road; Lightning - 24-10-4-3 at home.

[BlueLine]

I reported to TimeWarner that their link to the HD broadcasts of 'Canes games was broken. I just got this reply:

Thank you for catching that. We are in the process of updating our website to reflect the upcoming HD Hurricanes games.

First game is tonight on INHD2 Ch. 292. The 'Canes play Tampa Bay.

Thank you for taking the time to email us.

I thought some folks would appreciate knowing where to catch the game in HD tonight (it's the first time I've seen anything specific on where to find the game-- or maybe I've just been missing something that everyone else already knew).

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Is that right...Grahame gets the start over Burke? Interesting...

I haven't read it anywhere or anything but, I feel pretty strongly that Grahame is the #1 over Burke. I think they got Burke solely to back-up Grahame. JMO, though. Someone keeping up with Tampa may know better.

Lost will just have to wait.....I'm watching hockey tonight!! :laugh:

[nccanes]

You are correct SHC. Grahame has been dubbed the #1 and Burke is there in case he faulters....or outplays him.

[folgersnyourcup]

Hey everyone! Does anyone know if those of us outside of the Raleigh area will be able to get tonight's game in HD? I checked the listings for INHD2 tonight at gametime and the game wasn't listed. I live in Charlotte. Would it be on any other channel? I'm ready for hockey!

[nccanes]

Folgers! Great to 'see' you.

Oh - and I don't know the answer to your question. :beatup:

[Guyute]

hey folg :)
[edit] I answered before reading the couple of posts I missed. lol.

I'll leave my link for titantv.com though. great for network channel HD listings.

[RIO]

Cary/Apex it should be channel 65

http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx?menu=Programming

AH! Fankee. I watched a man stalking a wild turkey on that channel today... :crazy:

[Shell]

FWIW (which is probably nothing), I did email Fox 50 and asked them about showing some games in HD. I complained that if you went to the sports section of their website that you wouldn't even know that we had a pro sport here in Raleigh. I got a reply that they ahve forwarded the message to the engineering department.. maybe we should all gang up on them! :)

[Guyute]

I emailed the media department of the canes asking if an HD schedule with Fox was being worked on or what.

[EpiK-KA14]

I reported to TimeWarner that their link to the HD broadcasts of 'Canes games was broken. I just got this reply:

Thank you for catching that. We are in the process of updating our website to reflect the upcoming HD Hurricanes games.

First game is tonight on INHD2 Ch. 292. The 'Canes play Tampa Bay.

Thank you for taking the time to email us.

I thought some folks would appreciate knowing where to catch the game in HD tonight (it's the first time I've seen anything specific on where to find the game-- or maybe I've just been missing something that everyone else already knew).


Awww man... I have class tonight so I set my DVR to record the game on channel 50 for when I got home. I have no way of getting back there to switch it to 292. :cry:

[goalie33]

DUDE.

Jedi mind trick.

[corylav]

Canes e-mail preview:

RALEIGH, N.C. (October 4, 2005) -- After 18 long months of waiting, the "new" NHL will be officially unveiled Wednesday in arenas across North America. And much like an automaker rolling out its 2006 fleet, the league is ready to showcase more speed, more power and electrifying performance.

The NHL has spent the last year and a half tinkering under its own hood, adding a number of rule changes to boost both the offensive flow of the game and fan excitement. A shootout to settle overtime ties, legal two-line passes and an increase in the size of the offensive zones are among the changes made by the league to generate more action.

"It doesn't make our job any easier," Carolina goaltender Martin Gerber said with a laugh. "But, it's exciting to play. As a goaltender, you have to be sharp and on top of your game - it's all about scoring chances right now."

To slow down some of the high-powered offenses around the NHL, the Hurricanes will rely on the goaltender tandem of Gerber and rookie Cam Ward, firmly positioned behind a veteran Carolina defensive group.

"We have a lot of experience on defense, guys that have done a great job for many years," Gerber said. "As a goaltender, that's a big plus for to have guys like that in front of you."

Both Ward and Gerber performed increasingly well as the preseason rolled along, and because of that, Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette has not set any sort of goaltender rotation to begin the season.

"I'm not going to look too far down the road on goaltending," Laviolette said Tuesday before the team flew to Tampa. "We're going to make decisions as we go, but both these guys are very capable goalies and both played really well in camp.

"I think each of their last games was their best of the preseason, so we'll go from there," he said. "With the way they are playing, it's nice to be able to have a choice like that."

Opening night in the NHL always arrives with plenty of pomp and circumstance. The Hurricanes will have a front-row seat for the festivities, as the Lightning will celebrate its 2003-04 Stanley Cup victory by raising its championship banner to the rafters of the St. Pete Times Forum prior to Wednesday's game.

Cory Stillman sees many similarities in the 2005-06 Hurricanes and the Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning team he played for in 2003-04.

"Before that season [in Tampa], we had a team where people knew 'players,' but there were no superstars," Stillman said. "Then it turned, and guys became superstars. I think we have the same amount of talent here in Carolina, where we can do that too.

The Canes' corp of emerging young forwards could be one of the most underrated units in the league. With NHL referees cracking down on defensive holding and grabbing, talented players such as Josef Vasicek, Erik Cole and Eric Staal should have more of an opportunity to go unobstructed to the net.

Throw in some of the team's newly acquired players, such as center Matt Cullen and defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky, and there should be plenty of chances for the Canes to light the lamp against opposing goalies.


Captain Rod Brind'Amour said the team has more depth this year than any other Carolina team he's played with.

"We basically have a whole new team, with a lot of young talent and a lot of skill," Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour said. "There's a lot of potential here."

In assembling the team that will take the ice this season, Hurricanes scouts, coaches and front office staff made sure that the players they signed or acquired were an extension of, and an addition to, the team's system - not an exception to it.

Hockey publications and other media outlets lamented the fact that the Canes' acquisitions were not of the "big-name" variety, but all parties involved with the team are in agreement that the Hurricanes have added the pieces they needed to find success in the new NHL.

"What I've found, is that a lot of the big-named guys are made in the media," Brind'Amour said. "You're playing in Toronto, everyone's a 'star' there. We don't need those guys anyways.

"We need the guys are here, who want to be a part of the team we're talking about."

Even though it was exhibition action, Carolina's 5-2-1 preseason mark didn't go unnoticed, especially as the level of the Hurricanes' play increased with the level of competition toward the end of the preseason.

"We won on the road, and we also won late in the preseason in Florida, when teams are playing their regular guys," Stillman said.

Even though so many players were new to the organization, Carolina head coach Peter Laviolette's squad was able to implement his system during the preseason and find success on the ice.

Carolina scored a pair of 5-2 victories over Tampa Bay in the preseason, the latter coming Friday night against the Lightning's ready-for-the-season lineup. Josef Vasicek recorded the sixth and seventh goals of his torrid preseason campaign, while Niklas Nordgren scored his second goal in two games, laying claim to one of the Hurricanes' final roster spot in the process.

"I think the team played pretty well during the preseason," Laviolette said. "We put the system in place that we wanted to, and the guys seem to be picking up fairly well.

"Tampa Bay is a division opponent and a team that won the Stanley Cup last season, so it'll be a good test for us to see where we are at."

One player who'll be absent from the test is Hurricanes left wing Ray Whitney, who has battled a pesky groin problem through most of the preseason. However, the team's increase in overall talent and its preseason play will make Whitney's absence a little easier to stomach.

The Hurricanes are relying on merging players such as Eric Staal to continue their growth on the ice this season.

"We have a lot more depth than we have ever had here, which is huge if we have guys go down," Brind'Amour said. "We're going to rely on everybody this year - we're going to need the young guys and the old guys - it's like the old saying, 'all-for-one'.

And, all-for-one, the Hurricanes are in agreement that it'll be great to be back on the NHL ice after the "lost" 2004-05 season, in which most players took nomadic journeys to play in overseas leagues.

"The one thing we learned from last year is that if you didn't already have an appreciation for playing in this league, you do now," Brind'Amour said. "You don't take a day for granted, both in life in general and in hockey.

"It's a short career and you never know when its going to be over," he said. "You only get so many kicks at the can, and we have a new one starting in Tampa."

And as opening night approaches, the Hurricanes are revved up and ready to go. Stillman stressed the importance of getting off to a good start - especially with the team playing a regular-season schedule heavy with games against its Southeast Division rivals.

"We want to surprise people and open some eyes," Stillman said of the Hurricanes. "After the first month, we want people to say 'Holy cow, this Carolina team - don't underestimate them.'"

Puck drop at the St. Pete Times Forum is at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen on Fox Sports South and heard on Y102.9 FM in the Triangle or right here on CarolinaHurricanes.com.

[corylav]

on a side note, this was about the last thing I expected to read

GET TO THE RBC CENTER EARLY ON FRIDAY!
GATES OPEN AT 4:30 | Y102.9 LAWN PARTY AT 5:00 w/ Mr. Potato Head

[Shell]

I hope Stillman sees this in the St. Pete paper and that it fires him up! Would love him to score some goals tonight!!

Quit your whining: Based on recent quotes, Cory Stillman was quite heartbroken when the Lightning did not re-sign him. Based on his two goals in 21 postseason games, I didn't even know he had a heart.
:eyeroll:

[corylav]

couldn't resist throwing this together ...

http://corylav.smugmug.com/photos/38808713-M.gif

[nccanes]

I hope Stillman sees this in the St. Pete paper and that it fires him up! Would love him to score some goals tonight!!

Quit your whining: Based on recent quotes, Cory Stillman was quite heartbroken when the Lightning did not re-sign him. Based on his two goals in 21 postseason games, I didn't even know he had a heart.
:eyeroll:

I hope he does!! I did read that Prospal hasn't been too impressive thus far, so I hope Cory makes them regret letting him go.

I'm really tired of people ragging on players that play injured in the playoffs. And by the very folks that knew he was injured. Crappy.

[EpiK-KA14]

"What I've found, is that a lot of the big-named guys are made in the media," Brind'Amour said. "You're playing in Toronto, everyone's a 'star' there. We don't need those guys anyways.

"We need the guys are here, who want to be a part of the team we're talking about."

Way to go Ron! Now we know why he got the "C". If you didn't want to be here, then we didn't want you anyway...

Less than 5 hours till the puck drops!!!

[Guyute]

Way to go Ron! Now we know why he got the "C".

Freudian slip? ;)

[Alicia]

Is it 7:30 yet? :crazy:

[goalie33]

You are correct SHC. Grahame has been dubbed the #1 and Burke is there in case he faulters....or outplays him.

I can't believe I missed this!

Sean Burke couldn't outplay me, let alone John Grahame.

[Staalgurl4ever]

Another 5 hours. :beer:

[Mona]

Do they tailgate in Tampa? :crazy: :beatup:

[caniac369]

Be sure to tune into WRAL at 7:00PM tomorrow night prior to game time. They're supposed to be doing a special feature on the 'Canes. Let's make sure we record it for our not-so-lucky-as-to-live-in-the Triangle fellow Caniacs.

Thank you for remembering us!!

I have already warned my co-workers I'm busting out of here at 4:20 PST. Only take me 5-10 minutes to drive home from work, so Hubby will have the TV on, but I've got it set to DVR the beginning just incase I get caught in traffic!

Whoo hoo!! 4.5 hours to go!! :nanner:

[Guyute]

re: the showing of the banner raising at TB on OLN.
I'm somewhat confused. OLN's page mentions the debut of their pre-game show/studio/etc, at which time they'll also do a season preview, and "lookins" on the banner raising. well... they say that's at 7pm. But, so is the game they're supposed to be covering... ?

STAMFORD, CT (September 29, 2005) – On October 5, when OLN presents the Rangers vs. Flyers in Philadelphia, viewers are going to witness a whole new game. But first, they’ll witness OLN’s new studio show, hosted by NHL All-Stars and hockey experts Bill Clement and Keith Jones. OLN’s special opening night pre-game show will begin at 7 p.m. ET, after the network presents NHL All Access: The 2005 NHL Entry Draft at 5:30 p.m. ET.

btw- ya like how their HQ is in CT? lol

[nohuiam]

just too good to be true! finally... GAME ON!

well, I'm down here in the HUGE hockey market Statesville, NC (via raleigh). only thing RED! down here is our necks and man i've missed the Canes like there's no tomorrow.

CONGRAT'S Cane's Fan's! This is our night! I love you guys and wish i could be there friday night. who know's? maybe.

:beer:

[Esbee]

Esbee's Pre-game checklist:

1. Molson. Cold, in fridge. Check
2. Glass. Cold, in freezer. Check
3. Jump on remote set between FSN/OLN. Check
4. Work productivity near zero. Check
5. Hockey News Yearbook arms-legnth. Check
6. Sabrette's ready in dirty water. Check
7. Warren Zevon's "Hit Somebody" qued on iPod. Check
8. Happy. Very Happy. Check

Esbee's Post-game checklist:

1. Canes win 2005 season opener. CHECK!

[cmw00]

LETS DROP THE PUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't take it much longer!!!!!!

[caniac369]

Esbee's Pre-game checklist:

4. Work productivity near zero. Check

I think we are all about there- and I've still got 3.5 hours of work to go out here!! :sick:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Just FYI, I was out running errands this afternoon and NPR actually did a bit about the re-start of the NHL!! I think the league is getting more coverage than I have ever seen....which is a good thing.

Guy...I was wondering how they were going to do that banner-raising with the Flyers game starting at 7pm myself. :huh:

I don't think 7pm will ever get here. :crazy:

[Esbee]

:p If you look at OLN's online listing for tonight, it says:

NHL - LIVE (TV-NR)
New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers
Join OLN for another exciting episode of NHL.

Another?

One neat thing: they're doing an encore presentation after their post-game show. If it's going to be a regular feature, that's a nice addition for those watching in-market games first.

[Guyute]

I don't think 7pm will ever get here. :crazy:
you got that right! :crazy:

by 6pm though, we'll be home, and pouring fresh pints from a happy-to-serve keg, and working towards a good buzz where hopefully I'll be ecstaticly hollering at the tv :D

[caniac369]

pouring fresh pints from a happy-to-serve keg, and working towards a good buzz where hopefully I'll be ecstaticly hollering at the tv :D

You won't be the only one!! :D

[nccanes]

It was suggested to me that my Whitney av might be causing him bad luck. So I'm posting on this page so my new av gets some face time. ;)

[caniac369]

So I'm posting on this page so my new av gets some face time. ;)

It looks like a bad HS yearbook photo... :eek2:

[Guyute]

ouch. she dares to mock Johnny Sideburns.

[Canesluver]

Take it back! Take it back! Quick - spit into the wind, turn around 3 times hopping on one foot.

Good! That should reverse it!! :beatup:

[apolinar]

Watch forslund come down with laryngitis now :evil:

[cmw00]

Any word on lineups for tonight?

[nccanes]

Well, Tampa only has 20 on their NHL roster, so I guess they are all playing (Grahame in net as mentioned).

Whitney is our F scratch, wonder who gets to sit on the D.

[EpiK-KA14]

STAMFORD, CT (September 29, 2005) – On October 5, when OLN presents the Rangers vs. Flyers in Philadelphia, viewers are going to witness a whole new game. But first, they’ll witness OLN’s new studio show, hosted by NHL All-Stars and hockey experts Bill Clement and Keith Jones. OLN’s special opening night pre-game show will begin at 7 p.m. ET, after the network presents NHL All Access: The 2005 NHL Entry Draft at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Does anyone know if the "hockey expert" Keith Jones is the same guy that used to skate for the Capitals? If so, he's a really funny guy if you can get past his multi-fractured looking nose, and should compliment Clement nicely...

[caniac369]

I'm glad for one thing- no more Barry Melrose mullet (and those pin-stripped suits)!!

[Guyute]

I'm betting it is Epik, though I don't know for sure. I know that KJ has done some booth-work before (if it is the same ex-player with the hooked nose).. and yeah, I think he'll be a good fit.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'm glad for one thing- no more Barry Melrose mullet (and those pin-stripped suits)!!

He's doing the ESPNews hockey show. Wouldn't want you mullet adicts to go without. :D

[Staalgurl4ever]

I got the lineup cards form NHL.com
Here it is

Hurricanes
Kevyn Adams
Jesse Boulerice
Rod Brind'Amour
Erik Cole
Mike Commodore
Matt Cullen
Martin Gerber
Bret Hedican
Andrew Hucthinson
Frantisek kaberele
Niklas Nordgren
Eric Staal
Cory Stillman
Oleg Tverdorsky
Josef Vasicek
Radim Vrbata
Niclas Wallin
Aaron Ward
Cam Ward
Mike Zigomanis
Don't know if Williams is in the lineup yet


Lightning
Dimitri Afanenkov
Dave Andreychuk
Dan Boyle
Sean Burke
Martin Cibak
Rob DiMaeo
Ruslan Fedetenko
John Grahmme
Timo Helbing
Pavel Kubina
Vincent Lecavalier
Fredrick Modin
Nolan Pratt
Valcav Prospal
Brad Richards
Cory Sarich
Matin St Louis
Tim Taylor

Thats about it

[cmw00]

So that lists the Bolts at 18 total?

Wonder if its true what Yahoo says about the bolts going with only 5 defensemen?

[nccanes]

They have Hebling on the 20 man - seems stupid not to dress him even if he sits.

So no Wesley and no Commodore?

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Erik Cole
Mike Commodore
Matt Cullen

:p

[cmw00]

They have Hebling on the 20 man - seems stupid not to dress him even if he sits.

So no Wesley and no Commodore?

Also Chris Dingman. Would seem dumb to have 20 guys and not dress them.

Interesting that Wesley isn't listed.....

[nccanes]

Erik Cole
Mike Commodore
Matt Cullen

:p

Oops. ;)

Then that list has 7 dmen. And some typos.

Oh well, I'll figure it out at 7:30. :D

[SoCalcaniac]

Any word on lineups for tonight?


Chuck K. was on with Gold for his usual 'game day' 5:40 appearance (10:40 am tommorow w/Chris for a recap) and he said Whitney and Boulerice and Frankie Kaberle will be out of the lineup tonight and some crazy mess about A. Ward skating on a line with Vrbata and KA. :crazy: I'm not quite sure how Aaron is going to do in the forward spot, or if Chuck has been partaking in some cocktails or what... :laugh:

another Chuck side story- it's 87 in Tampa, CK described the arena and the 'area' around it as 'electric' more in keeping with a playoff game not opening night, and you could 'feel something'- he also noted that Torts was in a 'mood' and not interested in talking to the media today during the morning press go round- and that Tortorella was still not happy with the way they ended preseason. hmmmmmm.

It's still not 7:30? DARN. Ok, then I'll go watch all these festivities on Sunshine Network at 6:30 - or the Pens pregame on FoxPitt.

See you all after the game..... ;)

[cmw00]

some crazy mess about A. Ward skating on a line with Vrbata and KA. :crazy: I'm not quite sure how Aaron is going to do in the forward spot, or if Chuck has been partaking in some cocktails or what... :laugh:


OH lord.....

Why scratch boulerice and let Ward skate as a forward?

[Turbulence]

And if you're going to put a d-man on the 4th line...why not put a more offensively minded/gifted player like Hutchinson, or even Tverdovsky?

Strange at any rate...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

It's only 6:30!! Gah! :crazy: :help:

That is all.

[nickgregory]

they are skating ward on a forward line because they dont know how long tverdovsky will be able to go. apparently he has some neck injury that is still in recovery

[caniac369]

Less than 1/2 hour!! Augh!!

Needless to say, I've been completely useless at work over the past few hours... :spin:

[Captain Slack]

I LOVE THIS!!!!!

They're talking hockey on OLN and I've got three different games to choose from on my Center Ice. AND my Canes play in less than 10 minutes! I can die a happy man now! :D :nanner:

[cmw00]

I'm gonna wear the remote out on center ice :D

[Staalgurl4ever]

I wish they would just get this Countdown to Signing day overwith so we can see some HOCKEY! :nanner: :) :cool:

[Staalgurl4ever]

I'm So Excited!

5 More Minutes! :nanner:

[cmw00]

Here it comes!!!

LETS GO CANES!!!

[goalie33]

Helllooooooooooo JF!

[cmw00]

"HURRICANES HOCKEY RETURNS TO FSN SOUTH"

[apolinar]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[goalie33]

Am I the only one with a 4:3 TV with a flattened, chopped-off picture?

[cmw00]

no mine is/was....

[Captain Slack]

No you're not. They better fix this before the game starts! :mad:

[cmw00]

So whats up, almost all the tough guys around the league have been scrathed it seems....

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Same here. (although, I really don't know if I have a 4:3 or not :beatup: but I think so)

[nccanes]

Me too. With a graphic on the left side of the screen, the first 2 letters were even chopped off.

Is this a TWC issue or are Dish people having it too?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'm DirecTV and I have the problem....letters chopped off as well. :-/

[cmw00]

Is this a TWC issue or are Dish people having it too?
I have dish, I think its an FSN problem...

[Hellas1982]

FSN HD lists this game in HD, does anybody know which channel on Time Warner Digital Cable it'll be on???

[nccanes]

So whats up, almost all the tough guys around the league have been scrathed it seems....

My guess? Until the players adapt to the new game and penalties start to decline, they need more PP/PK folks than enforcers. Of course, that could backfire too, but I guess it's not too surprising.

[goalie33]

Fixed!

...aaaand here's Tripp!

:D :beatup:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I *think* the smush may be fixed now.

I am so pissed that Tripp doesn't have the red jacket on!! I was so ready to be happy to see it! Maybe he's saving it for the home opener?

Oh, and, WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! :nanner: :nanner:

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I find out 2 minutes before game time I am getting the NHL Center Ice feed. Hell Yeah...and I am sickened watching the Lightning raise the banner. Ugh

[SouthernHockeyChick]

WTF was that series of gunshot-like sounds right before they went to commercial? :crazy:

[goalie33]

Fireworks inside the arena. You could see the smoke right before they cut away.

P.S. This girl can't sing.

[cmw00]

WTF was that series of gunshot-like sounds right before they went to commercial?

Those damn bolts fans, you know how they are!

Seriously I think it was supposed to be thunder and lighting...

[cmw00]

HERE WE GO!!!!

[cmw00]

Vinnie Prospal scores!!! NOOO!!!!

[goalie33]

Whoops.

[tommy]

nice start. :crazy:

[cmw00]

Hooking on Cullen

we're off to a great start....

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Well, that sucked. :sick:

Tripp already made me roll my eyes. Oh how I've missed him. :laugh:

[cmw00]

Nordgren on the PK Unit???

Forslund: "Tampa Bay has 2 of the larges goaltenders in captivity" :D

[goalie33]

New rules already making an impact: Commodore was about to ice that puck after the PK, but knew that the killers needed a change so he just bounced it down the wall.

Matt Cullen is going to draw a TON of penalties.

[cmw00]

New rules already making an impact: Commodore was about to ice that puck after the PK, but knew that the killers needed a change so he just bounced it down the wall.

Hopefully he'll show that kind of smarts all season!

PP FOR THE CANES!!!

[goalie33]

I guess Tampa isn't set up to use the refs' microphones yet, but if you're curious, Kerry Fraser is announcing his own penalties on the PA/TV over on OLN.

[goalie33]

Holy crap, someone get Vinny an oxygen tank.

GOAL VRBATA!!!!

[cmw00]

VRBATA SCORES!!!!!!

[tommy]

GOOOOOOOOOOOAL RADIM VRBATA!!!!!

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA BAAAAAAAAAAA DABBBBBBAAA DOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

[brindy17]

:beatup: GOAL!!! :beatup: :D

[SouthernHockeyChick]

So, wasn't Vrbata's goal on an assist from Koharski? No more booing Koharski in 328!!! ;)

LOVE the FSN "Nothing intimidates like Hurricanes hockey" commercial! :laugh:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Kubina gets an Oscar for that one. :roll:

[tommy]

yeah, that commercial was really funny!

btw, i dont understand the goalie lines behind the goal, bc grahame is picking it up when the canes throw it down the ice when theyre shorthanded... does that not apply in a PP situation?

crap 5 on 3

[cmw00]

damn 5 on 3 pp Bolts

[SouthernHockeyChick]

tommy----Is he behind the goal line? They can still play it anywhere if it's not behind the goal line.

Dammit, Commodore. :sad:

[tommy]

crap - richards wit hthe goal

[tommy]

Is he behind the goal line? They can still play it anywhere if it's not behind the goal line.

Dammit, Commodore. :sad:

i swear one time he was behind hte goal line and they didnt do anything about it...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I don't know....that should be illegal. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they are missing that call.

Looked like a little illegal stick crap going on with Andreychuk on that goal, too.

[cmw00]

Maybe thats what PL was so upset about?

[cmw00]

OMG Bettmanis going ot be in the booth with John and Tripp?

[goalie33]

What a pass from Willy!

[tommy]

5 on 3 for us!!

[cmw00]

5 on 3 PP for canes!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

We really have to figure out how to get across our blue line with the puck even when St Louis is on the ice.

Some great chances on that PP, though.

[cmw00]

When Mike Commodore and Nic Wallin are driving the puck deep behind the net, you know this is a different team with a different coach and a different style of play!

[tommy]

ugh.

i want cam ward

[cmw00]

Yeah Gerber's off to a shakey start...

[ontheglass]

Lots of mental mistakes. The first goal was assisted by Wesley, the second a 5-3 PP and the third was another D collapse. I can't hang this on Gerber. Gerber's real ugly play was the shot late in the 1st that he couldn't control, leaving an empty net on his right and a huge rebound. That would have been the Bolts 4th goal if someone was on that wing.

[SoCalcaniac]

On top of the bull crap that is going on the ice in Tampa, apparently DirecTvers in the Wake County 'zone'- and spending 15 mintues on the phone with DirecTV moron central we get the 'treat' of the Sunshine network feed. And the moron then began blaming the Canes for 'requesting' the blackout. I detest dumb people.

No John, Tripp, or anything worthwhile- :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I'm looking for the nearest bridge to jump off of.........

[nickgregory]

I am in wake county and am getting the game over DTV on 630

though with the way they are playing and the power play looking like deja vue...not sure that is a good thing

[nccanes]

So Aaron Ward nearly gets an assist on a goal and then forgets how to play defense at the other, lol. Oh well. Boyle just walked right in there.

I thought the Lightning would look nervous, but that Propsal goal settled any nerves. We look nervous. And Stillman looks a bit shaky at the point. Nerves, bad ice - poor guy.

Two more periods to go - plenty of time.

Tampa's PK made us look silly at times.

[SoCalcaniac]

Then we must of drawn the lucky straw of torture, If I hear Tampa's announcers talk about how their PP looks like it "picked up where we left off 18 months ago" I will jump.

[talkingcanes]

Two more periods to go - plenty of time.


here's hoping. it's really looking wickedly familiar. I'm not expecting miracles and I know TB won the Cup ( :sick: :sick: :sick: ), but we look like headless chickens part of the time.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Yeah, you could see in the replay of Richards' goal...Andreychuk knocked Brindy's stick out of his hand and then was poking at his skates as he was trying to pick it back up. Had he had his stick he's have been right in position to block either the pass or the shot that lead to that goal. Of course, after the goal was scored Brindy slashed the crap out of him, but still. :beatup:

[tommy]

ERIC STAAL!!!!!!!1

[talkingcanes]

Then we must of drawn the lucky straw of torture, If I hear Tampa's announcers talk about how their PP looks like it "picked up where we left off 18 months ago" I will jump.

I'll bet they are insufferable :eek2: Tripp still makes my ears bleed and I've already gone for the mute button.

Go Staal :spin:

[cmw00]

Not a bad start to the 2nd!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

DAMN!! When did Staal grow that laser!! Holy sh*t, that was a beauty!!

[cmw00]

I'd say Staal's been the best canes player so far!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Is it like a tomb in this building or is it just me? :crazy: Geez, people, you won the Cup last time there was one, your team is in the lead....make some freakin' noise!

[cmw00]

Yes, I don't know where Eric Cole has got this Sott Stevens instincdt from, but I'm loving it!

Although he's hurt himself.....

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I guess I missed their crowd applaud when the injured got up off the ice, too?

Hopefully Cole just needed a couple stitches or something. :sad:

Did BRET HEDICAN just drop the gloves?!?!?

[puck_it]

go hedi!

[cmw00]

Damn thought Hedican and Taylor were gonna go...

[cmw00]

I guess I missed their crowd applaud when the injured got up off the ice, too?

Yeah, I'm not digging the bolts fans, but maybe the mics are right to pick up their noise?

[tommy]

okay seriously, i want ward.

[cmw00]

Good griefe Lecavlier scores... 2-4 bolts....

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Deflected.....twice, I believe. Can't lay that one on Gerber, IMO.

Way to keep that one out, Gerber.....over and over again. :crazy:

[tommy]

Deflected.....twice, I believe. Can't lay that one on Gerber, IMO.

Way to keep that one out, Gerber.....over and over again. :crazy:

yeah im not blaming him - afterwards i realized how flukey it was

[cmw00]

Oh man what a save on Adams by grahme short handed....

[tommy]

WOW - what a save on adams

[nccanes]

Is it like a tomb in this building or is it just me? :crazy: Geez, people, you won the Cup last time there was one, your team is in the lead....make some freakin' noise!

I think it might be the way it's mic'd because I remember thinking the same thing during an ESPN deal during the playoffs. I think Kenny Mayne went to like 5 sporting events in 1 day (or something) and he talked about how deafening it was, but it just didn't seem that way at all.

Well, no good replay on the 4th goal, but I think we've had our fill of fluke goals in Tampa. Nothing will ever top that fake that got Weekes out of the net and Stillman just sailed it in.

I keep saying "I'm just glad hockey is back". Right?

That said, I thought we looked much better that period.

And TC - I managed to get to the 2nd period before saying "Shut Up Tripp". I just KNEW he was going to say something about Gerber's big save being a turning point. It's been 18 months and he hasn't learned any new tricks. :sick:

[Alicia]

Deflected.....twice, I believe. Can't lay that one on Gerber, IMO.

Way to keep that one out, Gerber.....over and over again. :crazy:

Yeah, wasn't that last goal a deflection off of Wallin? :crazy:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

We definitely did look better that period. Grahame seems to be upping his game right along with us, though. :sad:

If Tripp says "hot goalie" I'll kill myself.

I think that one was deflected off Wallin and then it looked deflected off a TB player right at the net, too. Messed up goal, for sure. EDIT: good replay just shows it was definitely deflected off Wallin, but that was it.

[tommy]

WARD IN GOAL!!

[cmw00]

Oh well Wards in!

[Alicia]

WARD IN GOAL!!

Got your wish! :beatup:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Agh....I don't know about that decision. :crazy: I just don't want to undermine Gerber right off the bat. And I didn't think Gerber was playing that bad. He seemed to really gain some focus after that flukey one, too. Is a cold Ward really gonna be better?

[tommy]

Agh....I don't know about that decision. :crazy: I just don't want to undermine Gerber right off the bat. And I didn't think Gerber was playing that bad. He seemed to really gain some focus after that flukey one, too. Is a cold Ward really gonna be better?

Maybe it'll be like when the Carolina Panthers pulled Peete after halftime in the first game of the season, Delhomme came in, and... well, we all know what happened from there...

[Alicia]

Agh....I don't know about that decision. :crazy: I just don't want to undermine Gerber right off the bat. And I didn't think Gerber was playing that bad. He seemed to really gain some focus after that flukey one, too. Is a cold Ward really gonna be better?

I agree...Gerber was hung out a couple of times, I can't really fault him for any of the goals...but Cam IS pretty d*mn good!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Evidently there is no such thing as a cold Cam Ward. :D

[StormShaman]

Cam is good, yes--but I still want to see Gerber take the bulk of the games rather than risk Blackburning poor Cam.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Crap. Yeah, um, you let them have 5 minutes down in front of our goalie and they will eventually score.

5-2 Bolts

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

*sigh* I didn't have a good feeling about tonight.

[puck_it]

welp, we're ****ed

[tommy]

:sick:

well great, now i get to go study, which i dont do well after a canes loss

[ontheglass]

Clearing the zone is never a bad play. Just not their night. Defensive collapses, and the O looks out of sync, especially in the 3rd. The goalies did weel with what they were given, though I don't agree with pulling Gerber.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Well stated, OTG.

That whole puck possession thing we hear so much about just hasn't been working out for them in the 3rd, eh?

So, were there just a lot fewer penalties tonight....or have we already stopped calling them? I know I saw a couple missed calls but you're always gonna get that.

[ontheglass]

I'm thinking about skipping ESPN's highlights tonight. I don't have the stomach for it.

Alright Canes, regroup and bring your "A" Game Friday.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

Lucky for me, I get to go to bed before Sportscenter. But I'm gonna hear about it all day at work tommorrow, so I need my rest.

[nickgregory]

I am going to not base too much on tonight, and hope things look better on Friday, but given tonights performance, we are a bad defensive team....d-men being caught out of positon regularly and dont get me started on tverdovsky...reminds me of sandis in a very bad way. Stillman was completely unimpressive..I hope its nerves and he will get his scoring touch back and it wasnt a case of his past point production had more to do with the line he was on than his skills...

positives....Cam looked steady....Gerbers goals were not necessarily bad play, but Cam I thought looked much more sturdy in the net. Staal I thought played extremely well, and Cole and Cullen both out there trying to assert themselves good to see.

I sure hope they get things pulled together on Friday because performances like tonight will guarantee friday will be the only sellout of the season...

[apolinar]

hO HUM. That was some of the worst defensive communication I've seen from this team. Lightning seemed to have their sticks in the right position every time D tried to get an outlet pass and all of a sudden the goalies were left out to dry. Stillman looked like a rookie and I believe it was nerves. Maybe a former teammate said something to take him off his game. Vrbata with quick shooting skills, Staal with great chances. Vasicek no puck position. Refs put their whistles away in the second despite a lot of interference from Tampa. I think the "win it on the power play" strategy backfired when the refs went back to the old hockey. Loved seeing the Ref tell Cam he was doing a great job. This team has lots of work to do.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

Honestly I would like to see old style hockey. I am not a fan of the no clutching and grabbing. Now if a player is mugged, thats a different story. But I do think some contact is needed.

[talkingcanes]

not a great start, but it is just the start. some positives, some negatives, some scary familiar things, but they have to find their game. this is essentially a new team and all the swinging from ropes in the world (some team building exercise I assume, I was on Tripp mute at the time) won't make the on ice chemistry immediate.

and we are not world beaters. when I saw Pittsburgh as our home opener I thought, woo hoo a team we can beat. I feel certain TB fans thought the same thing. if by December it still looks this way, I'll consider myself really stupid for doing this yet again.

[evan]

Cam looked solid, calm and confident, I'm concerned about Gerber - he looked like Weaks (spelling purposeful), nervous and shaky.

I thought our play as a team looked pretty good in the first and especially early in the second, until Gerber let up that softie. Hopefully Ward gets the start next game.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Cam looked solid, calm and confident, I'm concerned about Gerber - he looked like Weaks (spelling purposeful), nervous and shaky.

I have to say, from the little bit of the Rangers game I saw, Weekesy was looking pretty good.

[ssangste]

that was pathetic.... hello old Canes.... I thought this was supposed to be a new team??

What I saw:

I had forgotten just how out of touch with reality Tripp is... he was obviously watching a completely different game than the rest of us. I know he is the pom pom boy for us even when we're stinking it up... but only he could see a truly awful Canes play and say it was a good thing...

For a team that is supposed to be such a skating force, we stood around a whole lot and literally watched the play. We also did a LOT of waiting for the other guy to do something. Three guys staring at one another doing the "No, you get it.... No, you get it" thing and then the Tampa player skates through and picks up the puck.... We were flatfooted, had no energy at times, and got beat badly....

I felt like I was watching 6 year old minor league hockey at times. All of our players chasing after the puck, swarming toward the puck and then having absolutely nothing to do once we got it because we were all within 3 feet of one another. Lots of rushes up the ice with people on top of one another and not creating space.

We were clearly a half second too slow on everything. We telegraphed a lot of stuff. If you give the defensive player 5 seconds to come out, setup and and drop in front of you before you shoot, of course they are going to block your shot. If you look straight at where you are going to pass, wait three seconds and then make the pass after you've given the other team's player time to get in perfect position to intercept, what do you expect will happen if you hit them right on the tape with your pass?

Stillman stunk it up for the first half of the game. He was woeful, especially on the point during the power play. I know he was likely a little tight being the first game in Tampa, but it wasn't good folks...

The forward lines had absolutely no chemistry for long stretches of the game.

The refs obviously weren't shown the obstruction video. They missed a number of calls on both sides.

A very frustratiing game to watch. It's been a while since I screamed that much at my television. It brings back memories of previous games. I thought we were done playing like that...

[Stormbringer]

Stillman looked like a rookie and I believe it was nerves. Maybe a former teammate said something to take him off his game.

Yeah, I know...it makes one wonder. Stillman sounded (thought I was going to see the game thanks to the free Center Ice in October deal, but Comcast up here in VA/WV apparently forgot that they're supposed to carry it...so, I had to rely on the online Chuck K feed) like he didn't look all that hot.

Don't think there is much else to say about the game...I think I was spared, or at least my eyes were.

[Alicia]

Was it just me, or were there several times all 5 of our guys would be on the same side of the ice going after the puck, then the puck comes out in perfect placement to be scored with...and no one was there to take advantage of it?

[ssangste]

Was it just me, or were there several times all 5 of our guys would be on the same side of the ice going after the puck, then the puck comes out in perfect placement to be scored with...and no one was there to take advantage of it?

it wasn't just you... on the rare times that we were trying to chase down the puck, we over committed and over pursued with everyone and that left the whole backside open to a reversal in motion, or if in the offensive zone, we had no one on the backside to take advantage of the guys digging the puck out...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Was it just me, or were there several times all 5 of our guys would be on the same side of the ice going after the puck, then the puck comes out in perfect placement to be scored with...and no one was there to take advantage of it?

It wasn't just you. It was absolutely happening....constantly. Especially in the 3rd. That's a damn pet-peeve of mine since the Mo days and it was about to drive me up a wall. If all 3 forwards are BEHIND the net, who do they think is going to score? I had hoped moving the nets back would stop some of that crap.

[Alicia]

I thought it was deja vu...and it also annoys me no end. :mad:

[SoCalcaniac]

Was it just me, or were there several times all 5 of our guys would be on the same side of the ice going after the puck, then the puck comes out in perfect placement to be scored with...and no one was there to take advantage of it?

No, it wasn't you..... it happened - and way too many times.

Since I got 'lucky' with the Tampa feed- their announcers marveled at the speed of our team- and the uptempo style- they even sounded nervous at times when it was still 'close'. And they couldn't shut up about how 'great' Cam looked and confident.

We did have a positive:

Eric Staal looked terrific out there tonight- that laser shot was being perfected in Lowell and that's now twice he's made it look like he's been doing it forever.


Our D- looked suspect at times- some bad decision making and alot of sloppiness.

Stillman looked like I would if I were out there- HORRIBLE.

And I agree with ss- there was some serious mugging going on out there- and plenty of obstruction.

People who I thought would turn up huge or make a show of it (Cole, Vasicek, Williams) weren't quite there tonight....

It's one game. Thank God. But the execution of the game plan, was lacking big time tonight.

On the other side - the Penguins got it handed to them tonight by the Devils. I'm hoping we can screw our heads back on, and get it together. :beatup:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Those of you want to buy excuses, remember their 3 o'clock plan to Tampa was delayed until 7 last night. Maybe those 4 hours really took it out of them. :beatup:

[KRAZYCANE05]

Well new faces but same oh Canes. This game was ugly for the Canes. Half the time the Canes players are just standing around looking at eachother. BLAH I so let down. I hope they bring a better game Friday because I watched the Pens on Center Ice some tonight and they looked bad as well so we better beat them. Well heres to OLD TIME CAROLINA HURRICANES HOCKEY :beer:

GO CAM WARD!!!!

[hyena]

*sigh* i must say, i was expecting more....it pisses me off we beat them twice in preseason and they come out tonight and look like a completely different team (Tampa, i mean).

they outplayed us, but hey what do you expect on a night like tonight?

our PK looked good. Cam looked good. i thought Staal and Cullen both played well.

friday our guys will BRING IT and frankly i feel sorry for the Pens. (not really) :beatup:

[nccanes]

Those of you want to buy excuses, remember their 3 o'clock plan to Tampa was delayed until 7 last night. Maybe those 4 hours really took it out of them. :beatup:

Tripp? Did you steal SHC's password? ;)

SHC, Were you able to post this with a straight face. Nevermind - I know you didn't. :lol:

[StormShaman]

Those of you want to buy excuses, remember their 3 o'clock plan to Tampa was delayed until 7 last night. Maybe those 4 hours really took it out of them. :beatup:

I'm sorry, do I look like Maurice The Excusemaker to you?

I kid, I kid--please don't take that comment seriously. It was just not a good night for us, the guys couldn't get a clue half the time (though I was greatly impressed by Hedican-can-can dropping the gloves in defense of Tinu--that was nice to see), and we got pwned.

Hopefully this pisses the team off and they take it out on the Pens on Friday night. :D

[SouthernHockeyChick]

:evil:

[nccanes]

Yeah - I was squealing with laughter/shock to see Hedican drop his gloves. I thought one of them even got stuck on his hand - not sure he knows how. :lol:

I, too, thought there was much that the teams got away with. I wish we'd won because I can only imagine what Ward would have to say about playing wing. Probably not too much to say after the loss though.

I hope we see Whitney on Friday.

[StormShaman]

Yeah - I was squealing with laughter/shock to see Hedican drop his gloves. I thought one of them even got stuck on his hand - not sure he knows how. :lol:

Even funnier was when the refs immediately jumped in, and we got this great shot Hedi shaking his finger at Taylor and giving him a stern talking-to.

Comedic gold, right there.

[apolinar]

Here's tragic comedy:
Wesley -3
Vasicek -2
Stillman -2
Tverdovsky -2

Not the solid Wesley you are usually used to.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

His ice-time wasn't that comparatively high, either. Commodore had more minutes and he was even.

[puckin_A]

Stillman was completely unimpressive..I hope its nerves and he will get his scoring touch back and it wasnt a case of his past point production had more to do with the line he was on than his skills...

I was thinking about Stillman alot tonight. I felt bad for him. Could you imagine how he felt when they raised the banner but couldn't really celebrate with the guys he played with to make that happen? That must of been bitter sweet for him. Maybe it set him off his game. dunno......but its over now....

I didn't have a good feeling about this mainly because we had just kicked their butts into tomorrow last week. We gave them this one...NO MORE!!!

Now all the talk of TV and where it was on etc. First off I had no clue it was on HD. I never saw where it was going to be on. So missed that one. I had my DVR set up even though I knew I would be home. Right off the bat its just a still shot. Change channel, come back...a different still shot.....WTF????? went into the bedroom. (not an hd tv) no problem. Kept checking through out game........still not working. FURIOUS!!...the beginning of 3rd period, I was checking it out again and decided to stop recording....boom, it worked. Now that sucked.

Best part of the night. CENTER ICE!! I was back in heaven flipping between games!! gotta love it. The last part of the Sens/Leafs game was awesome.

[Mona]

:sick: :sick:

I was shocked to see Hedi fight, but he was protecting Gerber... Cory was trying so hard to get that puck in the net and I saw him giving the crowd an "eyeball look" at one point. One of my favorite moments was when the camera was right on Grahame and he pushed the helmet up and yelled F YOU to someone.. :laugh:

It was like when I saw Tripp and John and heard the same music when the game came on.. kind of like we never had a break. :) Any opinions on the bank commercial? :crazy:

[Esbee]

...Okay, not the outcome we wanted. The most surprising thing for me, though, was the sad performance on "D," after all the hype about competition for slots.

I didn't put a lot of faith in our pre-season wins over TB, as their big guns weren't playing...at the same time, you know they had to be pumped up for their home opener the same as we will be tomorrow.

Bottom line: No biggie. Pre-season is just an extended tryout. Now we play for real after working some bugs out.

Now for the obscure wierdness. Did anyone else notice that the "Thank You Fans!" graphics were facing center ice in Tampa Bay last night...as they are in the RBC. But when I switch to the Rangers/Flyers game, the graphics are facing their respective goal...

[nccanes]

I didn't put a lot of faith in our pre-season wins over TB, as their big guns weren't playing...at the same time

On the last outing, only Brad Richards was missing.

And with all of their players (and the Panthers missing Roberts, Niewy, and at least one other), they lost 0-4 to the Panthers in the final preseason.

I think the Lightning were able to turn it on when it counted - and when they cared.

Bad outing for us that needs to be turned around on Friday.

[ssangste]

there were a few positives in the game...

I got a kick out of everytime they had the camera on Wardo after they put him in, he was grinning from ear to ear. A couple times he was chuckling at what someone said. But otherwise he just looked very happy to be there on the ice in a real NHL game. He just exudes poise out there. It's nice to see that unlike a lot of other goalies that go into their own little world and try to put their "game face" on, Wardo could look incredibly poised and be having fun at the same time....

Staal did have a good game, and got a nice deflection on his goal.....but he was woefully beat in a couple of his defensive assignments....

[corylav]

In the end, I have to tell myself that we were playing the Stanley Cup champs in their building on the night when they raised their banner. I feel like if we made one play early, we could've seized momentum ... such as Erik shooting instead of passing on the early 2-on-1.

• Staal's a beast ... the kids' going to score 30 this year.

• Our PP was WAY too spread out ... we need to close things up to make our passes easier and crisper.

• Big Joe ... please, assert yourself physically. He played OK, but with a frame like that I'd like to see him at least throw a shoulder when the opportunity presents itself. Everyone loves a gentle giant, but we need him to get some streak of moderate nastiness.

• AWard played pretty well on the wing, I thought ... but I just don't get it.

• I think Nordgren will be a very good PKer for us all year.

• Stillman has somewhat of a rep of taking nights off. I don't think that was the case tonight (it was nerves, I'm sure), but I hope he doesn't play at the level again this year.

• What happened to the penalties? We need to force teams to take penalties on us. Staal twice drove to the net with authority. We need more of that.

Friday's a new night. The new-look Pens weren't all that impressive last night, but they'll come out swinging. We need to improve in nearly every facet.

[Esbee]

I didn't put a lot of faith in our pre-season wins over TB, as their big guns weren't playing...at the same time

On the last outing, only Brad Richards was missing.

And with all of their players (and the Panthers missing Roberts, Niewy, and at least one other), they lost 0-4 to the Panthers in the final preseason.

I think the Lightning were able to turn it on when it counted - and when they cared.

Bad outing for us that needs to be turned around on Friday.

My bad...mis-read something, somewhere. I'm with you. They turned it on, we didn't.

[nccanes]

Frustrating huh? We played great in our preseason and they stunk and then they flip the switch when it counts.

When I was watching the Avs/Oilers game later (for about 10 minutes before I conked out), the announcers were pondering the fact that the 2nd period was being called much tighter than the first and maybe the TO "war room" where they watch all the games had called to tell them to tighten up. I strongly doubt that, but I'm really shocked at how we went from feast to famine (or famine to feast) penalty wise. I'm recalling when Wesley said if you pick your stick off the ice, you're getting into trouble. LOTS of sticks flying everywhere last night if you ask me.

I can't wait to watch a real game in person, just so much easier. :p

[EpiK-KA14]

OK - Since NONE of you have asked yet (:beatup:), here's my take on the game:

#1. It wasn't NEARLY as bad as the score appeared. We made mistakes (Nordren, Stillman, and Wesley more than normal), but nobody played poorly the entire time.

#2. Gerber didn't play terrible, and there was absolutely nothing he could have done on three of the four he let in. But with that said, he APPEARED nervous out there, and his butterfly technique seems to be leaving way too many big rebounds. Ward looked a whole lot more comfortable out there and I don't think there was one time they showed him that he wasn't smiling...

#3. Our biggest problem was our one touch passes. We had WAY too many passes intercepted or placed into someone's feet. The LOOKS are there, and they are the CORRECT looks, but we have to find a way to connect on a few more of them.

#4. The Lightning did an excellent job of A) playing the lanes, blocking a lot of those passes with their feet and sticks and B) pressuring our defense (especially Hutchinson), preventing a clean breakout. I lost count how many times our D guys had to spin and turn to try to find an open man before getting out of our zone.

#5. Let's give some credit where credit is due. Graham played a great game, he made an awesome save on KA, and several insane ones on Williams...

#6. To be honest, I chalked this game up as a probable loss before we played. Let's not forget we were playing the Champs at their house on Opening Night with a sellout crowd. They are a VERY good team that has an incredible home record overall. I'm not going to get too upset about the outcome. Now, Friday is OUR turn...

(BTW - when Graham lifted his mask and dropped the F-bomb, it was directed at Cole who must have said something after he drew the penalty...)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Laviolette said afterward Gerber told him he hurt a hamstring with a minute to play in the second.

"He came up sore," Laviolette said, "so Cam went in. That's why that move was made."

I guess maybe he tweaked something on that scramble at the end of the second where the puck was just squirting all over the place. He did everything he had to to keep that puck out on that one, lol. I guess that's why he looked all intense all of a sudden, lol.

[redcaniac]

I just moved here from Cleveland,Ohio and it's finally good to see a hockey team near where I live.It looks like it might take a while for the offense to come alive with the new rule changes.

[Staalgurl4ever]

I thought that loss was ugly. :sick:
The girl who sang the National Anthem.
She was not good. :sick:

[redcaniac]

I agree.I guess TB hasn't lost much of a step.

[tommy]

I agree about our one touch passes, and actually I think our passing in general was weak. When you make a dash for the offensive zone coming out of our end, make sure your stick is one the ice and you're ready for a pass!!! Too many times we had some really nice blueline-to-blueline passes that were either intercepted or went straight by the would-be receiver because he didn't even see it coming. It's nice to be able to make two-line passes, but unless you're on an olympic-sized rink, you can't try and spread it out too much.

[Esbee]

I thought that loss was ugly. :sick:
The girl who sang the National Anthem.
She was not good. :sick:

YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE HULKSTER'S LITTLE GIRL? :mad:

Seriously, any kind of links between "professional" wrestling and hockey (or any other sport, for that matter) scare the crap out of me.

[redcaniac]

I didn't see the national anthem,and even if i did i agree Hogan's daughter,while very pretty,isn't that good.

[caveman]

Honestly I would like to see old style hockey. I am not a fan of the no clutching and grabbing. Now if a player is mugged, thats a different story. But I do think some contact is needed.

last night's philly/rangers game had tons of hitting. those teams look like they are going to hate each other "up a notch" this year.

[Guyute]

yeah, same with The Battle for Ontario. I haven't seen Lindros lay hits like that in many a year. It was just our game that was rather lack-luster in the physicality department.

and I agree on our passing. it killed us last night. not at all the team we watched whoop some butt a week or so ago. hard place to play on opening night though... nobody wants to lose after they hang the Stanley banner. hopefully Friday will be better.

[caveman]

I just moved here from Cleveland,Ohio and it's finally good to see a hockey team near where I live.It looks like it might take a while for the offense to come alive with the new rule changes.

First, welcome to the area!

Second:
Cleveland, OH to Pittsburgh, PA (home of the Penguins): 134 miles.
Cleveland, OH to Columbus, OH (home of the Blue Jackets): 142 miles.
Cleveland, OH to Detroit, MI (home of the Red Wings): 168 miles.
Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC (home of the Hurricanes): 170 miles.
Cleveland, OH to Buffalo, NY (home of the Sabres): 194 miles.

;]

Granted, the RBC center isn't all the way to "Raleigh". And these are just the NHL teams!

:beatup:

Look forward to seeing people back in the tailgate lot. Shell and Guyute, are you guys still in the "standard" location?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I just moved here from Cleveland,Ohio and it's finally good to see a hockey team near where I live.It looks like it might take a while for the offense to come alive with the new rule changes.

First, welcome to the area!

Second:
Cleveland, OH to Pittsburgh, PA (home of the Penguins): 134 miles.
Cleveland, OH to Columbus, OH (home of the Blue Jackets): 142 miles.
Cleveland, OH to Detroit, MI (home of the Red Wings): 168 miles.
Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC (home of the Hurricanes): 170 miles.
Cleveland, OH to Buffalo, NY (home of the Sabres): 194 miles.


I'm sure he/she meant a team worth loving near where he/she lived. :beatup:

One of my constant gripes on this team has been it's passing (other than Ronnie and a few bright spots), and I agree, it looked soooo much better over pre-season and then it killed us last night. :sick: Please bring that passing we saw in September with you tomorrow night, guys.

[caniac369]

Please bring that passing we saw in September with you tomorrow night, guys.

Well, knowing our history of how loud the RBC center gets, if they AREN'T bringing the passing, I know you guys will sure as he!! let them know to do it!! :D

[Guyute]

Look forward to seeing people back in the tailgate lot. Shell and Guyute, are you guys still in the "standard" location?

yeah man :beer:

[redcaniac]

not to be mean,but i am a man(last time i checked) and i wasn't really into any of those other teams near me

[caniac369]

Look forward to seeing people back in the tailgate lot. Shell and Guyute, are you guys still in the "standard" location?
yeah man :beer:
Oh, the memories... :cry:

[puckin_A]

edit.....nevermind........didn't realize what I said had already been said four times.....

[caniac369]

I thought that loss was ugly. :sick:
The girl who sang the National Anthem.
She was not good. :sick:

that was Hulk Hogans daughter......lol

She had about a pound of make-up on... yuck...

[puckin_A]

so I edit it and you copy it!!! lol

[CANESFREAKinDET]

Dammit..;.it was funny..this game pissed me off because they lost-but yet it felt like old times. I had to call my cable company and get them to snap on my CI so I knew it was gonna be a bad opening night (its because i wasnt watching ;) LOL jk) but I was just so danged thrilled to see them, I wasnt really affected after all was said and done--I mean they got 81 games left--I'm good! :D :beatup:

[caveman]

not to be mean,but i am a man(last time i checked) and i wasn't really into any of those other teams near me

glad to have you as a fellow Caniac.