Pre-Season Game Thread..... vs. Washington, 9/24/08

[Canesluver]

I guess I'll just keep doing what I've been doing for a few years, now, and put up the individual game threads. Any objections?? :beatup:

I generally get them up a day or two before the game.... but... I'm betting that after today's scrimmage, some of you MUST be jonesing for a game thread.... so.... <drumroll> here's it is..... a little early, but some of you are ready for it......THE FIRST GAME THREAD OF THE 2008-09 SEASON! :nanner:

Puck drop at 7PM.

LET'S GO 'CANES!!

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I can't wait. It's been too long without hockey.

[SoCalcaniac]

When we left Char Grill after the game tonight, we went back down towards the RBCC to get on the freeway, and the RBCC sign said Canes vs Captials, Wed 9/24 7pm and the sign said 19 days til opening night. That's when it hit.

After all this off season chatter, and not getting a chance at all to head over for Camp Brind 'Amour- TODAY is the first real feel for hockey - getting in the building, wearing ill-advised flip flops and my feet freezing, and wearing my "vintage" #42 Gleason jersey, :lol: and seeing a whole bunch of people I haven't seen since April, it never gets old when a new season starts - seeing all the excited people all ready to roll.

I thought the crowd greeting Forslund before the scrimmage said it all- people were fired up.

Wednesday night, I think it'll be- even for preseason, amped up.

[andyt]

Unfortunately, I won't be there. :( . I'm going to a presentation for Western Carolina University to see if they'll let my daughter in, if she's interested.

[nccanes]

Won't be there either. HS soccer.

Wonder if the Caps will fly in the day of game as they have in the past?

[Shell]

Wednesday looks like it will be gorgeous, and there is a good chance that we will miss our first opening night since the Canes have been in Raleigh, so we will be there early for some tailgating (provided I don't go into labor between now and then ;)) Looking forward to it!!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Looking forward to it as well! Assuming I get off work in time...it's looking like a late meeting day. :(

[StormShaman]

Expect me when you see me.

(IOW, if I have the money for a ticket, I'll be there)

[KaniacFever]

I'll be there and I can't wait. I'm ready for this season to get under way, its been too damn long.

I'm assuming the Caps are saving Ovechkin for their game at home Thursday. That's alright, I'm sure we'll see enough of that mug throughout the year :)

[livinthedream]

AO will be too busy that day, getting a haircut I think.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2008/09/alex_ovechkins_hair_cuttery_da.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2008/09/ovechkins_new_ad_campaign.html

And I'm such a goob, I didn't even realize until today that we have tickets for this game - wooooooo hoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mona2006]

I have been "hockey blah" all summer. I think it is because of the way the season ended and I am still bitter. I need something to get me excited. Even seeing the image of the fresh ice didn't do it. :(

Oh well..excited or not

Let's Go Canes!

[puck_it]

is this one in the 26 pack? i cant remember which preseason game(s) it is and i don't have tickets in front of me.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

I'll have to listen in on the radio that night, unless I can figure out a way to teleport.

But I'm going to be at the Canes / Flyers Spectrum game. SO stoked.

[Guyute]

I so wish I could make a trip up for that. Although it'd be bittersweet, knowing it was one last trip inside that great building.

[livinthedream]

is this one in the 26 pack? i cant remember which preseason game(s) it is and i don't have tickets in front of me.

Yepper!

[Captain Slack]

Can't wait!!! Now, if only my tickets would show up... :mad:

[IceSaber]

I'll be there with Lil Ice and baby Icicle!! The hubby is playing hockey, but us girls are all headed there for the game!! Socal - look for us and you can meet the new little one!!

[Mona2006]

Can't wait!!! Now, if only my tickets would show up... :mad:


Mine just arrived so be on the lookout.

[G-Vegas Caniac]

Even though a lot of us will be to the game, for the rest, it looks like they are going to try and stream all of the home preseason games!!! This will be great for all who can't make it and want to check out the action..Here's a quote from Paul (on the Canes blog) about the streaming from yesterdays scrimmage and having the preseason games up:

As for the streaming, we knew we wouldn't have any audio to provide you with for this one, so we didn't want to set you up for a disappointing experience if you were expecting to hear Chuck, John or Tripp. We were mostly using it as a trial run for streaming our home preseason games, which we're working to have ready by Wednesday. If we are able to do that, you'll have plenty of notice. Thanks!

[caneshockeychick]

I'll be there too!!!! The guy I'm sharing tix with can't go to this so...I get the preseason game!!

YIPPEE!!!!

Just going to the practices today got me all fired up since I missed all the stuff yesterday :(

[Captain Slack]

Mine just arrived so be on the lookout.

Just talked to my Dad & he still hasn't gotten them! This is beyond ridiculous! What kind of organization waits until less than a week before the first game to get tickets out? If a regular business did crap like this, they'd be out of business!! :ticked:

[StormChaserBH]

Yup... different business I know, more time between their "select-a-seat" and the start of the "season" but allow me a point of reference -- I already have my calendar year 2009 season tickets for NC Theatre.... got 'em about a month ago.....which is like 5 months before the first show.

[Guyute]

Yep, absolutely awful. There's no excuse at all.

[Mona2006]

Just talked to my Dad & he still hasn't gotten them! This is beyond ridiculous! What kind of organization waits until less than a week before the first game to get tickets out? If a regular business did crap like this, they'd be out of business!! :ticked:

I agree CS... totally unacceptable to be cutting it so close. :mad: I hope at this moment, you have them in hand.

[Captain Slack]

As of this writing, I don't. :mad:

[nccanes]

Chip's "educated guess" (http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/canes-set-for-preseason-opener) as to the roster for tomorrow.

Since it would be impossible to "guess" with 3 groups on the ice, I'm thinking he saw it on the white board in the locker room indicating who had to practice and who did not. ;)

[SoCalcaniac]

Educated guess - :roll. Come the hell on. Does he think people are stupid? As if he had the ability to guess who Laviolette is putting in tommorow. Based on 3 large practices (oh, and he didn't show up til 9:30 or so yesterday morning, so he completely missed the first group, my guess that is his start time, and he got there at the same time today)

There's 59 guys in camp give or take some injured dudes- honestly? educated guess? He really does take the people who read the blog to be stupid with "S" etched on our foreheads. Still waiting on Luke to take this thing back over, cause clearly this ain't workin' out.

[puck_it]

calling it an educated guess makes me believe it less, knowing his education. :lol:

[Captain Slack]

Looks like I'll be print my tickets out online! Just got a copied e-mail from my Dad to our rep wanting to know where out tickets are. :ticked:

[KaniacFever]

I hope his educated guess is correct with Pitkanen/Gleason. I'm really looking forward to seeng those 2 work together.

[c-girl]

Sunheim posted that Saturday's game in Philly will be broadcast on NHL Network. I put this here since we don't have a thread for that game yet.

[SoCalcaniac]

Branecky just posted a blog entry

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=383037

Some snippets:


Although the lineups for the upcoming games won’t be finalized until the mornings of, Laviolette said that both Sutter and Drayson Bowman (http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8474137) would be in the lineup tomorrow night. Bowman, a more offensively skilled player, will be given the chance to show what he can do on a scoring line.

As for the rest of the players that will fill out game rosters over the next few days, don’t count on seeing too many veterans in the lineup just yet. The early games will be geared more towards young players, players coming off of injury and players still getting back into game shape.

”There’s a few guys that are I guess regulars but have either been away for a year or are new to us, guys we want to see,” said Laviolette. The lineup tomorrow night will have some of our veteran players in it, but by veteran also, a guy like Jeff O’Neill who wasn’t with us but has lots of games, he’s been away for a year so we want to give guys an opportunity to show what they can do.”
Unfortunately, not everyone will get a shot to appear in exhibition games. There are simply too many players and only six games, meaning that some will return to their junior teams or be assigned to <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1:CITY><ST1:PLACE>Albany</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> before they get a chance.
“That Red/White game had some meaning,” said Laviolette. “Guys that played well in that Red/White game and stood out are going to get an opportunity. There’s only six exhibition games, and the last three I want to have a lot of our players in it, certainly for the last two, and that narrows it down even more.”

A few other notes from camp:

Anton Babchuk (http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8470265) hasn’t practiced since spraining his knee in the Red/White game and is expected to miss another week or so. Laviolette said he would not be available for either of the <ST1:STATE><ST1:PLACE>Washington</ST1:PLACE></ST1:STATE> games.
Laviolette said that he thought Zach Boychuk (http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8474576) looked strong in camp, especially after having his wrist in a splint until only recently. However, since he won’t be cleared for contact for another few weeks, Laviolette doesn’t expect him to appear in any exhibition games before returning to his junior team Lethbridge of the WHL. :cry::(I personally hope they keep him here longer but he probably will get sent and I say boo. Rotten luck. and heh, all of a sudden all this D we have goes down one, with the Babchuk 'sprain'.

[parkwoodcaniac]

We are not going to be able to go to the Canes vs Caps tomorrow night, would anybody be interested in them? Local's only! I can eTicket them to you! There are 2 Sec 303 E #&*!

[CzechIt]

Hey... just a question. According to the canes website, this is free (complimentary) game for season ticket and mini-game plan holders. (also a reason you cannot exchange them if you can't go) Does anyone know if there is a special for the rest of the folks that do not have tickets?

[parkwoodcaniac]

The Official Canes website has tickets available through Ticketmaster at gate prices.

[eric]

PM sent, parkwood.

[parkwoodcaniac]

PM sent, parkwood.

Eric...I replied

[livinthedream]

Assuming most of you STHs got the email today from 1400EMR, if not, here's an update on the free car flags available for pick-up at tomorrow's game:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l83/kellja00/Canes/CANES_STH_CAR_FLAG.jpg

Free 'Canes STH Car Flags Available for Pickup Wed., Sept. 24!!

Dear LTD Family,

As a 2008-2009 Season Ticket Holder, you received two vouchers with your season ticket package, each one redeemable for a newly designed, Season Ticket Holder-branded Hurricanes-logoed car flag. These car flags will be available for pickup at the RBC Center prior to any of the Hurricanes three home preseason games beginning with the game tomorrow night -Wednesday, September 24 vs. Washington. 'Canes STH car flags will be available for pickup each preseason game beginning 1 1/2 hours prior to the start of the game until 15 minutes after the game is scheduled to start.

Dates, Times and Locations for Pickup
9/24 vs. Washington - pickup outside South, East and West Entrances from 5:30 - 7:15 pm
9/28 vs. Philadelphia - pickup outside East and West Entrances from 1:30 - 3:15 pm
10/5 vs. Nashville - pickup outside East and West Entrances from 1:30 - 3:15 pm
**Car flag vouchers are absolutely necessary for redemption.

Please note that complimentary tickets for the September 24 preseason game have been included with ALL season ticket plans. Due to the complimentarty nature of these tickets, they are not eligible to be exchanged through the Hurricanes Ticket Exchange Program (http://smr.mm.ticketmaster.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTI0MTA1Mzg3Jm1lc3NhZ2VpZD0yNDA4N TAzNyZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPURBVEFCQVNFSUQmc2VyaWFsPTEyMTQ yNDEwMzQmZW1haWxpZD1rZWxsbmVyczM5MzZAeWFob28uY29tJ nVzZXJpZD03MzU1OTU5OTcmZXh0cmE9JiYmaHR0cDovL2h1cnJ pY2FuZXMubmhsLmNvbS90ZWFtL2FwcC8/c2VydmljZT1wYWdlJnBhZ2U9TkhMUGFnZSZpZD0yMjg4).

The 'Canes will be running a season-long promotion centered around a Hurricanes car flag spotter program. Additional information regarding this promotion was sent with your season ticket package, and can be found on our website (http://smr.mm.ticketmaster.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTI0MTA1Mzg3Jm1lc3NhZ2VpZD0yNDA4N TAzNyZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPURBVEFCQVNFSUQmc2VyaWFsPTEyMTQ yNDEwMzQmZW1haWxpZD1rZWxsbmVyczM5MzZAeWFob28uY29tJ nVzZXJpZD03MzU1OTU5OTcmZXh0cmE9JiYmaHR0cDovL2h1cnJ pY2FuZXMubmhsLmNvbS90ZWFtL2FwcC8/c2VydmljZT1wYWdlJnBhZ2U9TkhMUGFnZSZpZD0yNjk5NQ==).

Don't miss your opportunity to pick up your complimentary Season Ticket Holder car flags, and to see the 'Canes battle the Washington Capitals in their first preseason game tomorrow night!

We appreciate your support!
Go 'Canes!!
P.J. Avetta
Manager of Sales & Client Services
Carolina Hurricanes

[KaniacFever]

^Now let's see if I can remember those vouchers. I actually like the flags, not bad looking at all. Guess I'll be sporting 4 on the car this year instead of my normal 2.

[SoCalcaniac]

So they've posted the game day roster/PDF for tommorow:

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/ext/lineups/lineup092408.pdf

Good "educated guess" Chip. {snicker}

No Ovie on the Caps side- as I figured; but Ray Bourque's son Chris and 'Tater will be playing......

[WufPirate]

So they've posted the game day roster/PDF for tommorow:

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/ext/lineups/lineup092408.pdf

Good "educated guess" Chip. {snicker}

No Ovie on the Caps side- as I figured; but Ray Bourque's son Chris and 'Tater will be playing......

Ovie can't make the trip to Raleigh because he's too busy being a dousche in the Caps new commercial shoot.

http://blog.macleans.ca/2008/09/23/like-a-bar-band-but-much-much-worse/

[SoCalcaniac]

Oh great. I shouldn't have even mentioned Ovie. The sesaon hasn't even started and it's pile on time. It's too early and nothing has yet happened to get worked up over him yet. There's plenty of time for all that, I'm bracing for it.

It's a bunch of young hockey players having fun on stage. Woo. They look like a bunch of frat boys in a bar with badly gelled hair, pretending to be rockers.

LOL at the horn playing let's go caps and lol at Jose with a faux hawk.

[Guyute]

he's too busy being a dousche in the Caps new commercial shoot.

I do not think that means what you think it means.

I too love people piling on the kid for doing something amusing. But hey, if we saw a bunch of Canes out at some college dive bar playing rock stars, they'd all be slammed too... no doubt. Right? Hello? Oh.

Props to Ovie and the Craps for having fun. Life's too boring if you live it any other way.

[queenmerry]

Sigh...hockey season is going to be weird...so many changes. I'll be 100% sober. I'm a little over 5 months pregnant, and for some reason, in addition to playing hockey and having a 2-seater convertible, beer is frowned upon. ;)

I moved from my glass seat to the second row on the aisle. With my new "weight", I have to pee every 5 seconds and didn't want to have to climb over 4 people to pee. After all...there's always this intense sense of urgency.

Hehehehe...how's that for hijacking a thread? I'm back to forums 'cause my WoW is making me motion sick!

[Shell]

You can always pop by our tailgate spot tomorrow and enjoy an O'Douls Amber with me.. I'm 9 months pregnant so I'll make you feel like you hardly pee at all :lol:

[kermelbar]

I'll be at this one, in 303-K.

I kinda wish we could pick up the flags on our way out of the game. (Of course, if I'd suck it up and pay for parking, this wouldn't be an issue -- I could just take it back to my somewhat conveniently parked car.)

StormChaser, I've been a STH for NC Theatre for the past 3-4 years, too, but did not renew for '09 -- "The Sound of Music" is the only one I have any interest in seeing, so I'm just going to buy that one separately. But, yes, I usually have my tickets by this time or at least at the fall showing, when the coordinator of my group distributes them.

[Guyute]

Hmm. I may have to bring extra testosterone with me to combat 2 preggos. ;)

[queenmerry]

Hahahaha! That's awesome! :) I guess this is one season I'll remember every minute of. I hope that it's really worth it. ;) It seems like the crappiness of the last two seasons have sort of blended together.

What's your due date? I'm due Feb 7. I'm kinda glad we knock out 11 games in Nov. Hopefully I'll still be able to make it up and down all those steps without having to take breaks. ;)

Have you found out the gender, or are you going to do the surprise thing? I was told boy at my 18 week ultrasound and girl at my 20 week. I have more faith in the 20 week one, but I'm still a little paranoid that my girl will turn back into a boy! Heh!

[Shell]

I'm due two weeks from today on Guyute's bday (Oct 7). We're having another boy and they said there is no question about that whatsoever. I do feel for you and those steps.. we're on the upper level and the stairs up to the 3rd level can be rough but at least we're in the 3rd row up there so once we are there, I don't have to deal with much at all. The steps to get to the bottom of the 1st level are rough!

I hope this is a season that you want to remember every minute of! :D

[queenmerry]

Heck...at least the lower steps aren't as steep as the 3rd level. I always feel like I'm getting vertigo up there, not from the seats, but from the angle of the steps! :)

[StormChaserBH]

StormChaser, I've been a STH for NC Theatre for the past 3-4 years, too, but did not renew for '09 -- "The Sound of Music" is the only one I have any interest in seeing, so I'm just going to buy that one separately. But, yes, I usually have my tickets by this time or at least at the fall showing, when the coordinator of my group distributes them.

Ya, it's not their strongest season coming up, and we usually also add on and enjoy the show the KOB program adds to the mix, but I've got NO desire to see kids put on Bat Boy (heck, I don't really care to see anyone do that show), so we didn't get those this time. We've had tix for about 10 years I think. I'm looking forward to Miss Saigon, and to see how Sound of Music will differ from last time they had it, when they brought in the current generation of talented Von Trapp children to play their grandparents. We've moved our way up to a 5th row aisle seat on opening night though, so just like the Canes, we love our seats and won't give 'em up easily.

How we doin' so far -- got a double thread-jack going on?!?! :D

[Guyute]

Pregnant women, theatre... good thing it's just pre-season. Not a whole lot of hockey to talk about yet anyway. :lol:

[nccanes]

Things I've learned in this thread.

QM is more concerned about crawling over 4 people pregnant (not to be confused with crawling over 4 pregnant people) than the 582 steps up to the bathroom from her seats.

NC Theater has picked some less than thrilling productions to stage this season.

Kermie is afraid she'll lose her car flag, but not so much so that she'll change her parking routine.

andyt (like me) has a parent responsibility that will keep them away from the game.

SHC has a meeting that might run late tomorrow.

Ovechkin is in some promotional rock video...it might be douche bag-ish or clever (haven't seen it yet).

Chip Alexander either has a really dry sense of humor or he thinks we're stupid enough to think we believe he picked the lineup out of thin "educated" air.

Shell is providing O'Douls for pregnant woman in the parking lot. Offer can expire w/o notice.

[queenmerry]

I think you've summarized it nicely. :) In my defense, I have to be close enough to the ice that people ON the ice can hear my insults. I figure one row back and my voice might carry over the glass a little more effectively.

Also, by moving to the second row, it reduces the number of Sabres fans who can sit there, thus MAYBE avoiding another midseason slugfest (pun intended). ;)

[IceSun]

E, You've summarized very nicely! You can also add that Sundevil is HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY that it is hockey time again :D (especially as it looks to be a long and painful college football season).

WOOOOOOOH!

[LeslieK]

Forward lines for tonight based on Forslund's (http://www.wral.com/sports/blogpost/3596722/) most recent blog, which I posted in the Media thread
Samsonov - Cullen - Bowman
Bayda - O'Neill - Walker
? - Sutter - ?
Helminen - Murley - Petruzalak

Cam will start, spelled half-way by Peters

Injuries...Anton Babchuk (knee sprain) had a good day today. There's a very good chance he will be on skates tomorrow. Tuomo Ruutu (groin) was injured today. It is said to be not serious, but stay tuned.

[SoCalcaniac]

Tuomo Ruutu (groin) was injured today.


Oh for craps sake.

[ButtersSaysNo]

Looking forward to sitting in our new seats for a game for the first time.

Excited to see what the younger guys and O can do tonight too.

[caveman]

? - Sutter - ?

LaCouture on the L, Brookbank on the R to keep away any pre-season funny business?

Bayda - O'Neill - Walker

Ugh. O'Neill only will flourish (if at all) with playmakers on his line -- Whitney and Staal for example. Samsonov maybe, Cullen maybe. I don't see Bayda and Walker being good partners for Jeff O -at all-.

[caneshockeychick]

I'm just excited to be back in the building tonight and that hockey season is finally here

http://bestsmileys.com/bouncing/5.gif

[Guyute]

Well, Jeff needs to prove he can play with anyone they put him with, IMHO. He's really not in any kind of position to even hope he's going to be put with top tier players. I know that's what we Need (is a top 6), but he has to prove it should be him.
I like putting him with a couple of muckers, see what he's got.

[ButtersSaysNo]

I am hoping LaRose plays tonight.

[IceSaber]

Yeah, QM, the guys kicked me off the hockey team at 4 months when they found out I was pregnant - booo!
On the bright side - a beer a day is considered GOOD for nursing moms - so hang in there!! I dropped out of Canes games at about 6 months - I just couldn't do it...SO I'll be routing for you to make it as long as possible (and good for Shell - I can't believe she's going!!)

I'm taking the BABY and can't tell you how excited I am that Cam will be there to get the interest of Little Kam!!! It's gonna be such a fun season!!!!

[puck_it]

of course beer is good for nursing moms, your baby is half canadian. It should be drinking and bagging moose by now

[Guyute]

(and good for Shell - I can't believe she's going!!)

Everyone pray that we're not having to hustle out of the RBC from 314 and getting to Rex. That's not my kind of hockey game. lol

[Captain Slack]

Oh for craps sake.

Here we go again!! :ticked:

[SoCalcaniac]

Everyone pray that we're not having to hustle out of the RBC from 314 and getting to Rex. That's not my kind of hockey game. lol

It would be quite a story Guy- I'm wondering if that has happened before? Seems like we would have heard about a birth at the RBCC. :lol: Not trying to stress ya out or anything..... ;)

Icesaber- see you and the cuties tonight!

[e2ipiand1]

I'm hoping to see Rosey play tonight too, since I now have a Rosey third jersey.

[KaniacFever]

I am hoping LaRose plays tonight.

He's on the line up card posted on the canes site. I'll take a stab and say he'll be one of the wingers for Sutter. And maybe some PK time.

[queenmerry]

I'm already at a high risk for pre-term labor, but my doc doesn't seem to concerned about me working out or trekking up and down stairs at the RBC Center. If he's not worried, I'm not worried. I feel pretty good.

Shell is quite the woman. :) If we hear a ruckus in 314, at least we'll know what's up!

[Mona2006]

Congrats QM.. to you and hubby as well. :)

[IceSun]

Everyone pray that we're not having to hustle out of the RBC from 314 and getting to Rex. That's not my kind of hockey game. lol

Hey, at least you're close to Rex! Just don't get caught in the post-game gridlock ;)

[WillLikeWhoa091]

Is this game going to be webcast?

It'd be great if I could watch it tonight.

[Guyute]

Supposed to be. A blurb on the lead-in of the canes page said this. (no link, but assume it would stream from the canes site when live)
The Canes' preseason schedule starts tonight at 7 p.m. against the Washington Capitals in Raleigh. Young players and depth players alike will get the chance to show what they can do in game action. Live streaming video will be available here.

[SoCalcaniac]

Chip blogged- Cullen sounds eager

http://blogs.newsobserver.com/canes/cullen-feeling-good-eager-to-play

Few guys in the Canes' locker room are more eager to get into a preseason game than Matt Cullen, and with good reason.
Cullen battled vision problems most of last season after that big hit from the New York Rangers' Colton Orr the day after Christmas. Another concussion later in the season at Chicago was another setback for the veteran center, who missed 23 games in all.
But Cullen reported for preseason training camp saying all that was behind him, that he was healthy and completely recovered. Practice sessions in training camp, he said, have only reinforced that belief.
"Everything has been good," said Cullen, who will play tonight against Washington. "It has been a good camp. I'm feeling good. Everything is good.
"I've been doing a little bumping and a lot of skating and things have been fine. I'm definitely excited to play a game. Get out there in a real game, with real-game speed, real hits. It will be fun to play.
"Seems like it's been a long time since we've had a game."
Canes coach Peter Laviolette said he likes what he has seen of Cullen.
"He looks real good out there, real sharp," Laviolette said. "His skating looks strong, he's shooting the puck well, he passing the puck well.
"To get Matt back and healthy and feeling good is a plus for this team. He fills a lot of roles for this team."

[caneshockeychick]

I posted this in the ticket exchange thread but due to the late nature of availability, I have 2 freebies to tonights game. Section 333.

Send me a pm.

[ssangste]

It would be quite a story Guy- I'm wondering if that has happened before? Seems like we would have heard about a birth at the RBCC. :lol: Not trying to stress ya out or anything..... ;)

Icesaber- see you and the cuties tonight!

Friends of mine from university in Nova Scotia who were season ticket holders in my old section made it until about 4PM the day of Game 7.... missed seeing us hoist the silver mug by a few hours...... there was much teasing about him leaving her at the hospital and coming to the game solo.... it happened so fast and so late in the day, he didn't even get the opportunity to scalp the tickets... so there were two empty seats in our section that night :(

[Guyute]

Man, having a kid is an incredibly joyous event....

but, missing the SC being hoisted by your team, in your building, and not even getting to dump the tickets for a few thousand bucks.... OUCH.

[eric]

Friends of mine from university in Nova Scotia who were season ticket holders in my old section made it until about 4PM the day of Game 7.... missed seeing us hoist the silver mug by a few hours...... there was much teasing about him leaving her at the hospital and coming to the game solo.... it happened so fast and so late in the day, he didn't even get the opportunity to scalp the tickets... so there were two empty seats in our section that night :(

Carolina fans can't even fill the building for game 7 of the finals. :spin:

[nccanes]

According to the Caps official blogger (http://boards.washingtoncaps.com/index.php?autocom=blog&blogid=59) they were flying down this afternoon.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

Ok so the "play" button is up...

Is it streaming for anyone yet?

[evan]

It's streaming now for me!

FINALLY - HURRICANES HOCKEY IS BACK!

[WillLikeWhoa091]

Wow. I hope both the 'Canes fans there enjoy the game.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

On a sidenote... Tim Gleason is a scary lookin man.

[StormShaman]

So strange to see a #6 jersey and have it NOT be Hedican.

Also, the sound quality BLOWS on the streamcasts.

[Alicia]

So strange to see a #6 jersey and have it NOT be Hedican.

Also, the sound quality BLOWS on the streamcasts.Another thing that blows is the score...2-0 Caps.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

I mean granted, it may just be the emotion that hockey is back....

But right now I'm not expecting a lot this season.

Might be one of those "grinder" years.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

Does Stormy look different to anyone else?

[Alicia]

Does Stormy look different to anyone else?His hair...??

[WillLikeWhoa091]

He looked shorter / rounder.

/shrug

I'm looking forward to having the full lineup in the game.

[caveman]

Q about the audio on the streaming: is everybody's right speaker sounding like it is completely blown or is it just my laptop? Also: while 2 inches wide by 1.5 inches tall is a small amount of screen upon which to watch a hockey game, Kid Caveman was more than happy to watch and point out "STARMY! PIG!" whenever possible.

edit: it's not my laptop speaker, headphones are the same horrible right channel. Ah well. And a Mean Gene sighting! Yay!

[ssangste]

it's pre-season game 1, but our defensive zone coverage looks even worse than last year... I can forgive the kids not back-checking and pinching down to help... but we've got 4 of our 6 dmen in there right now (and 2 prospects that supposedly can step up and would be our first call-ups)... they all look terrible....

[WillLikeWhoa091]

Dad just updated me from the game.

First period shots were 18-8 in favor of the Canes?

I mean... seriously? It's hard to believe.

[ssangste]

I post that and then Jeff O of all people bails out corvo and wallin with a good backcheck cover on the streaking cap into the slot..

[WillLikeWhoa091]

it's pre-season game 1, but our defensive zone coverage looks even worse than last year... I can forgive the kids not back-checking and pinching down to help... but we've got 4 of our 6 dmen in there right now (and 2 prospects that supposedly can step up and would be our first call-ups)... they all look terrible....especially Wallin

Fixt.

[StormShaman]

Oh, there were shots alright--but it was like watching an Imperial Stormtrooper firing an MP40 submachine gun: lots of lead hurled in the general direction of the enemy, but no shots actually getting anywhere near the enemy.

[Alicia]

Dad just updated me from the game.

First period shots were 18-8 in favor of the Canes?

I mean... seriously? It's hard to believe.Did we have possession of the puck long enough to make that many shots? Seriously?

[caveman]

Oh, there were shots alright--but it was like watching an Imperial Stormtrooper firing an MP40 submachine gun: lots of lead hurled in the general direction of the enemy, but no shots actually getting anywhere near the enemy.

Exactly. There were 16 "shots on goalie" and 2 passes towards goalie that kind of got thwacked at by Canes near the net.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

I see.

I mean, there are a few new guys in the mix wearing the sightless eye... but at the same time... it's a little deflating to not see them gelling as a team.

At the same point, and trying to stay positive here, this IS game 1 of the PRE season.

And Pitkanen picks up his first in the red.

Good deal... granted it was a 5 on 3, but we brought him here for his offense right?

[StormShaman]

Yay, the new guy scored!

OMG, and Dr. Brian pronounced his name right! Will wonders never cease?

[WillLikeWhoa091]

I'm glad Leighton is the backup when the season starts.

In other news, I might be hopping on the "send Wallin to the minors" train.

The guy just looks lost in the defensive zone... not a good thing for a d-man.

[WillLikeWhoa091]

And because I already edited the post above three times, I'm kinda sad that the Caps actually have more regulars out than we do.

On the flipside, in the regular season, it's not our prospects vs. the Caps prospects.

[StormShaman]

Dragostea din Tei?!

For the love of Bragi, who is in charge of the music at the RBC this season?!

[WillLikeWhoa091]

Annnnnnnd per Mr. Kaiton...

Gleason's got a knee injury.

[BrindAmourFan]

^^Any idea how bad it is, Will?

[nccanes]

Did he say "knee" eventually? I heard him say "leg" injury, but I haven't been tuned in 100% of the time.

When I saw there were still 53 in camp after today's cuts, I say cut the chaffe and get down to business after tomorrow night. Our D needs all the time possible to get their **** straight. With Hedican, Wesley, and Commodore gone, they need all the time they can get.

[evan]

Yeah, I know our foward lines will be dramatically different by opening night - but geez our D blew chunks tonight and Borer and Carson were the only two minor leaguers in the D-Corps tonight. Very troubling...

[WillLikeWhoa091]

On a sidenote... Wallin was on the ice for every Washington goal tonight.

/cough cough

I'll reserve my calling to trade a player until I see Frankie play.

And no, I didn't hear how bad it was for Gleason.

[nccanes]

Maniscalco just reiterated "leg injury".

It's interesting listening to his post-game, he's almost laughing about how bad it was. Definitely ragging on Wallin.

[evan]

Anybody jumping on the "Fire Friesen" Train yet? If not, how many more injuries will it take before folks start looking for a scapegoat?

[Alicia]

Well, that was kinda ugly...

[andyt]

Anybody jumping on the "Fire Friesen" Train yet? If not, how many more injuries will it take before folks start looking for a scapegoat?

Depends on what the injury is. Can't blame Friesen for the two torn ACLs last year. But JWill's achilles and Ruutu's groin injury, as well as the profusion of groin injuries over the last few years puts me in the Friesen's overrated camp.

[BrindAmourFan]

Depends on what the injury is. Can't blame Friesen for the two torn ACLs last year. But JWill's achilles and Ruutu's groin injury, as well as the profusion of groin injuries over the last few years puts me in the Friesen's overrated camp.

Can someone explain how Friesen is responsible for the injuries? I'm not being snarky...just genuinely curious.

[nccanes]

It certainly would be hard to know for sure, but he's responsible for every aspect of their conditioning, fitness, strength, flexibility. It's pure conjecture, but if they are doing too much of something or too little of something else and their bodies aren't truly prepared for the stress of playing NHL hockey, it could make them vulnerable to injury.

No one knows, but I'm firmly of the opinion that they need another set of eyes on this team in the training room. If players can get 2nd opinions on injuries from their Ortho Drs, I don't see why 1 man's approach to athletic training is any different.

[nccanes]

Back to the game again, but I'd love to hear from folks that were there live. Was the D that awful.

You know, we lost 3 guys that were (mostly, lol) defensively responsible. While Hedican was the fluid skater and had speed that Commie and Wes didn't have, he certainly was no true offensive-defenseman (imo). We are WAY vulnerable in that regard almost by definition.

[VandyCane]

Well, that game sucked. :crazy: We actually left half-way through the third, which is something we NEVER do. In our defense the eldest has a big math test tomorrow and Mr. VC is still recovering from surgery last week, oh, and we sucked!!!

There were no highlights to that game. I'm glad Pitkanen scored but everything else was non-existent. Walin completely forgot how to play hockey. Of the guys trying to make the team the only who seemed to care was Petruzalek. Sutter still worries me, but Jeff O didn't do much either. Sigh.

Oh and the soundsystem is even worse than before. Those commercials with OTOT with Walker and Staal--I had no idea what was said.

[VandyCane]

Back to the game again, but I'd love to hear from folks that were there live. Was the D that awful.

You know, we lost 3 guys that were (mostly, lol) defensively responsible. While Hedican was the fluid skater and had speed that Commie and Wes didn't have, he certainly was no true offensive-defenseman (imo). We are WAY vulnerable in that regard almost by definition.

It WAS that awful. Last year I remember that Borer had a good chance to stick around but he must have thought he didn't have to work as hard this year. Nick was truly atrocious. Corvo and Pitkanen were OK, but not stellar.

[KaniacFever]

I'm frankly getting sick of all these injuries. Keeping fingers crossed that whatever Gleason injured isn't bad and was mostly kept out for precautionary reasons. But I'm beginning to think we sold our souls to the hockey gods and injuries is always going to plague this team.

I'm going with the it was the first game of the season. Guys are rusty and need a game or two to get their feet back under them.

Good for Pitkanen to get that first goal out of his way. Sammy's puckhandling was fun to watch. The rest, well just glad it wasn't our real roster otherwise I would be worried.


EDIT: Did anyones STH flags break on the way home? My sister called to tell me that hers broke and she saw about 3 others fly off as well. Broke right in half. I was able to bend them pretty easily and if I put just a tad more pressure on them it would have broke.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Back to the game again, but I'd love to hear from folks that were there live. Was the D that awful.


Yes. And worse.

I won't read anything into a pre-season game but I was freaking worried about the defense before tonight. I was worried about it before Wesley and Hedican were definitely gone. I'm no less worried now. And when I realized Gleason hadn't come back for the third I nearly keeled over.

Positive-ishs:
--Matt Cullen did not appear to be dizzy at any point during the game
--I thought Matt Murley played about one of the best games of anyone. The down-side to that is I'm pretty sure he's a career minor-leaguer.
--Justin Peters stopped crapping his pants a few minutes into the third.
--Jeff O'Neill was not the worst thing about this game.
--No one's Achilles tendon popped (that we know of)
--Tom Rowe's head is really shiny from my seats
--They got the good mustard back in the east priority lounge.
--I think I can say with definity that this is going to be a long season, one way or the other.

[nccanes]

Thanks SHC. Now I can go to bed! :D

[andyt]

--They got the good mustard back in the east priority lounge.

I assume you're talking about brown mustard. I hope they get it back upstairs too. I hate that yellow crap on my pretzel.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I assume you're talking about brown mustard. I hope they get it back upstairs too. I hate that yellow crap on my pretzel. Of course!

[IceSun]

We love our new seats!

Oh, the game you say...really the only positives were Sergei's pretty puckhandling and Pitkanen's goal (Yes, we scored on a 5-3 - maybe we won't have to decline penalties this year...)

The only check I saw related to the Hurricanes tonight was on the RBC Centura sign. Chad did attempt to check somebody in the third and it was a really hard check - Chad only bounced 1 ft off the mountain instead of the usual two.

Hey, last year, didn't we sweep all our preseason games and have a beautiful October. I'll wait to see the real lines with the key players that were out tonight and not injured.

Peter Laviolette - note to self - "Hmm. These lines suck. Let's try different ones"

Do have to share the concern about the missing defense - given expectations of the new guys.

[nccanes]

Well, at least this was the "Free" game for STHs. :lol: Guess you got your money's worth. ;)

[evan]

The only check I saw related to the Hurricanes tonight was on the RBC Centura sign. Chad did attempt to check somebody in the third and it was a really hard check - Chad only bounced 1 ft off the mountain instead of the usual two.


I'm kinda glad or we may have seen somebody's kneecap fall off or groin explode at the rate we're going...

[caneshockeychick]

Well, I'm back. Hmmm...Pitkanen scored. Guess we got that out of the way. Hey, we were looking for that Offensive Defenseman right?

Ummm...hmmm, well they shot at the vicinity of the goal so, they know in a roundabout way, where it is?

Took a hockey fan from Detroit that I work with at HT. She's trying to assimilate. She didn't cheer for the Caps...that's a good thing right?

We've got her to the point that she's willing to spring for a Canes T-shirt and on a night like tonight, that's a good thing right?

Other than that, parking ended up being free as I got behind my co-worker who had a premium parking pass for the evening, waved at her, dropped my car off in front of a Rex something and got in her car, $5 saved (for that 2nd Labatt ;) ) that's a good thing right?

Ticket's were free...that was definitely a good thing after a game like I saw tonight. :D

I hope that nothing, is wrong with Gleason. I could not bear this, not at all. Oh please please please, let this be a minimal thing
T
The game sucked...our guys that were on the ice...no big deal. But hey, I had fun :lol:

[SoCalcaniac]

Back to the game again, but I'd love to hear from folks that were there live. Was the D that awful.



Even worse than awful. I think we're going into two straight years of Nic Wallin being HORRID. How many errors can you make? and when I heard all this talk about d-pairings being Wallin/Corvo, I about had a fit- Corvo needs someone that is steady next to him- he kinda freaks out when he's got to do 'too much'.

I noticed immediately in the 3rd that Timmy was missing and I pretended like it was 'nothing'. This better be "nothing". Pitakanen- or as the radio and TV people are insisting on calling him - "the new guy", wasn't outstanding or anything- he can improve. I think him and Gleason can be a one/two punch, the knock on Pitkanen is his flightiness and tendency to not focus.

E, I agree with you, we can do some cutting NOW. Move this roster down to 30 or so guys. and get this back to business. We don't have time to mess around much longer with looking at the young guys. Especially given the fact that we only have 6 preseason games.

I thought our kids Drayson & Brandon both had some stage fright- I don't know if Brandon can stand the rigors of 82 games- he's still too skinny. Hockey sense or no, it may not be sensible to have him play NHL games - but I hate that he can't go to Albany. He has done all he can in Jr hockey, he needs to play with men. Bowman seemed to defer to the elders- and not play like he can play.

I was impressed with Murley & Petruzalek, and thrilled to see Cullen look like himself again. He had a few flurries where I saw Matt Cullen again, I do think his timing is rusty.

WSH, give them credit seemed far more cohesive- we did not. Simple. I didn't see urgency in that game. Jeff O'Neill was just "ok" for me same with Lacouture.

I'm frustrated, only because I don't think we should be reading too deep into preseason games, but this appears to be a jumbled mess.

Oh, and I love our 3rd set of seats in section 128. :lol: The bright side of the night. Hey E, looks like we have "former seatmates" over in our seats in 121! They dropped their seats and the guy who sat in front of us all season with his little girl last year, snagged them- so we're thrilled. WOW. Obviously the game stunk to high heaven, if I'm talking seats.

[caneshockeychick]

Oh yeah, the sound system sucked in 328. I didn't hear anything. Barely made out who scored a goal. They had Walker and Staal interview thingies? Really? Didn't hear them either.

I drank...to ease the pain of those 4 goals scored on our goalies...so sad

[livinthedream]

Back to the game again, but I'd love to hear from folks that were there live. Was the D that awful.

Just in case you didn't know or hadn't heard yet......yes, yes it was.

The highlight of my night was understanding that the bathrooms in the East and West lounges are mirror opposites of each other and actually remembering to go into the correct one.

[IceSun]

The highlight of my night was understanding that the bathrooms in the East and West lounges are mirror opposites of each other and actually remembering to go into the correct one.

E - be sure to add this to the list of things you learned in this thread :evil:

[KaniacFever]

E, I agree with you, we can do some cutting NOW. Move this roster down to 30 or so guys. and get this back to business. We don't have time to mess around much longer with looking at the young guys. Especially given the fact that we only have 6 preseason games.



Put me in this camp. Although I thought I read somewhere that Lavi wants to have his roster set by Sunday so he can start getting his special teams going.

I did think Pitkanen/Gleason looked good together for that little time before the dreaded leg injury (still praying its not too serious).

I was sure hoping Walker would have clobbered that guy.

It was for sure a strange game. Everyone was way off. I'm not going to get too worried yet. I'll hold off until this weekend.

[caneshockeychick]

Pre-season games are a wash for me. I was happy just to be back in the building. These games provide nothing for me. I'm sure most of the guys on the ice wish they'd had a better showing, especially if they are wanting to play with the big club.

I'm always left hoping, in both hockey and football, that no one gets hurt in these things. I'm in the JR camp that I'm not a fan of pre-season.

The Labatt was good. :smoke:

[Guyute]

Yes, it was That bad. Utter lack of intensity by damn near everyone. You'd figure if guys were trying to make their mark, and try to make the team, that they'd be out there trying to get something going. Hell, just hit someone. Very little of that happened.

And it wasn't just the play that was bad.... but the sound system too (in both 315 and 309, we sat in both). Way to waste some money. Wow.

[evan]

I'm with those of you that think they should start cutting. Cut 15 to 20 guys now to send a message to those who are still in camp that we're not fooling around.

[Flames24]

OK, I think the Canes need to get rid of Peter Freson or something.... All the freakin injuries are getting stupid.... NO other team has had as many injuries over the last 4 season....

[apolinar]

I thought I saw gleason go into the boards hard and get his knee mangled. Can't blame the fries for that. No amount of conditioning or change in conditioning will make that injury fail to occur.

[BrindAmourFan]

It certainly would be hard to know for sure, but he's responsible for every aspect of their conditioning, fitness, strength, flexibility. It's pure conjecture, but if they are doing too much of something or too little of something else and their bodies aren't truly prepared for the stress of playing NHL hockey, it could make them vulnerable to injury.

Forgive my naivety on the subject, but why wouldn't the players themselves have some accountability here? Friesen can't be with them 24/7, so who's to say they're following his prescribed regimen to the letter? Is there specific language in their contracts mandating their adherence to his programs (with financial ramifications if they are discovered to be non-compliant)?

By way of example, I know someone who is closely followed by a bevy of doctors for a variety of health issues -- high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, etc. The doctors stress the need to take his prescriptions as instructed (5 different meds), exercise more, lose weight, stick to a low-fat diet, etc. or the consequences could be grim...coronary artery disease, heart attack, or the many complications that could result from the diabetes. He doesn't listen. He takes his meds haphazardly at best, doesn't monitor his blood sugars, and sits on his duff. The guy's a walkin' time bomb, for pete's sake. So, because he's non-compliant, thinks nothing's going to happen to him, and refuses to follow his doctor's orders, do we hold the doctor accountable when the guy keels over dead?

I'm not saying that Friesen's program shouldn't be scrutinized, but I keep going back to Luke's article from last spring about Rod's post-surgery rehab: Resting easy isn't his thing (http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/958926.html)

[nccanes]

Forgive my naivety on the subject, but why wouldn't the players themselves have some accountability here? Friesen can't be with them 24/7, so who's to say they're following his prescribed regimen to the letter? Is there specific language in their contracts mandating their adherence to his programs (with financial ramifications if they are discovered to be non-compliant)?


You might be correct, but there are still right and wrong ways to do things and methods evolve (remember "old sit ups" and "new", lol). I'm not suggesting I have any evidence to condemn , I'm just saying he's been over that domain for a long time and perhaps it's time to bring in another perspective....a 2nd opinion so to speak.

As far as the 24/7 thing, I think once camp opens they are supervising every aspect of training. In the off season, he gives them their program (though you're correct, he can't monitor them 24/7).

A couple of things stick in my mind, Luke DeCock saying that his dual role as strength and conditioning ALONG with the athletic training/rehab might present a strange dynamic/conflict. Also, we've recently heard that Cam thinks he might have been TOO focused on his weight loss and fitness level last summer into last season and less focused on stopping pucks.

Let me be clear, I'm not suggesting I have any real reason to blame Friesen, but coaches get replaced when players don't do their jobs, we just got a new Asst Coach to bring in a new voice. I just don't see any reason that Friesen is immune from review.

[CajunCaniac]

Yay, the new guy scored!

OMG, and Dr. Brian pronounced his name right! Will wonders never cease?

He may have gotten that right, but while reading one of the promotion dealies about the STH gift incentive program, he talked about the "Season Ticket Holders for the 09-08 Season". Huh???

[kermelbar]

So I wasn't imagining that 2009-2008 thing!

Nothing further to add about the action on the ice, so how about a tiny gripe about tickets? :lol: I have a single ticket in my name and am seatmates with a friend who has 4 tickets in her name. We got to the game last night and discovered that my seat was about 8 seats away from her seats. It's a pe-season game, I presume most people weren't assigned their regular seats anyway (we weren't), so would it have really been that hard -- not to mention that obvious -- to put us together for the pre-season? Thankfully, there were enough empty seats that we didn't have a problem sitting together, but I just don't understand how if they can put us together for 12 regular season games, was it not obvious we might want to sit together for the pre-season?

[ButtersSaysNo]

Other then concern over Gleason's injury, I'm not getting too worked up about anything last night.

Got to ride the Olympia so that was cool.

[SoCalcaniac]

So here's today's write up on last night- I'm not liking what Laviolette says on Gleason:



Canes off to a cold start
Chip Alexander

RALEIGH - Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette was hard-pressed to find anything he liked about his team's play Wednesday in its exhibition opener.


Defenseman Joni Pitkanen scored the Canes' only goal and performed well, Laviolette said. He liked Ryan Bayda's effort, as well as the grit of Chad LaRose and Scott Walker.

As for the rest, there wasn't much to say. The Washington Capitals scored on two of their first three shots in blistering the Canes 4-1 before 11,431 at the RBC Center.

The Caps' Alex Ovechkin, who begged to play in all of the exhibition games, was left behind in Washington. The Caps, the defending Southeast Division champions, and Canes go at it again tonight at the Verizon Center, and Ovechkin, the NHL's most valuable player last season, will be on the ice.

But the Caps didn't need Ovechkin's heavy shot or scoring touch this night. Tomas Fleischmann scored two power-play goals, and Matt Bradley and Mathieu Perreault each scored an even-strength goal as Washington cruised.

"We didn't execute well at all," Laviolette said. "I think more concerning was the fact we got out-competed pretty much for 50 minutes.
"They got the pucks quicker. When they did get to the pucks, they competed harder. I thought they were a step ahead of us."

Pitkanen, who joined the Canes in the trade with the Edmonton Oilers for Erik Cole, scored in the second period with the Canes on a two-man advantage. But the Hurricanes could generate very little five on five or five on four, getting off 20 shots in the first period against the Caps' Simeon Varlamov but just 11 in the final two periods.

"I think in the first period we played pretty good," Pitkanen said. "They scored a couple of goals but we had a lot of shots. But after that, we stopped skating. The second and third periods were a little tougher."
Pitkanen was paired with Tim Gleason on defense, but Gleason left the game with an undisclosed leg injury. Laviolette said Gleason probably would miss "a little bit of time."

With Canes center Eric Staal and Ray Whitney sitting out the game, it was an chance for players such as Jeff O'Neill and Drayson Bowman to get some meaningful minutes. But neither O'Neill, the former Canes star trying to resurrect his career, nor Bowman, coming off a big junior season with Spokane, could produce very much.

"Too many of our veterans didn't play well enough and I guess we were looking for more from the people who got opportunities," Laviolette said.
Cam Ward started in goal for the Canes, but the Caps converted on their first power play, then added a second goal barely a minute later when Bradley was unchecked in front of the goal.

"The first goal was a bad break, it goes off the inside of [Niclas Wallin's] leg, bounces off me and the guy bats it out of mid-air,'' Ward said. "The second one, the guy got the chance because it was a broken play and the puck was bouncing a little bit.

"But that stuff is going to happen. You never want to start a game like that, two goals in the first 10 minutes, but I felt better in the second period."

Justin Peters took over for Ward midway the second period, giving up the last two goals on 19 shots.

Though it was an exhibition game, Ward said it also a game was against the Canes' biggest rival and a team that denied it as playoff spot last season.
"That was an opportunity for us to send a message that it's going to be tough division," he said. "Hopefully the game [today] will be a better effort.''

[KaniacFever]

What the hell is a little bit of time. 2 weeks, 2 months? I can't stand all this secrecy, just tell us what the hell it is and how much time he'll be out. Jeez. Sorry I'm just still pissed that my Timmay got injured. I'm still crossing fingers that it isn't too serious and he can atleast be back for opening night.

Oh and one thing I forgot, when we were walking to our seats, we passed Brookbank and 2 others (i'm guessing prospects) all dressed up in their suits walking the concourse. So I guess you can put that as a nice part of the game :lol:

[puck_it]

i saw jeff o'neill take a stride once. :)

[caneshockeychick]

I musta missed that while tilting my wonderful labatt back

[nccanes]

I guess Tim has a strain of some sort. That would be the best case scenario. But it doesn't suck any less.

[nccanes]

Ok, I saw this comment at the N/O blog and have to ask....are the STH flags not the regular kind and more flimsy or something? Or is this person just trying to be funny?

New Advertising Method
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 07:25 — maddertion
I noticed while leaving the game last night, and again on my way to work this am , that he Canes have employed a new method of advertising. The new method is to litter the roads around the RBC with busted "STH" flags.

[Guyute]

We didn't put ours on. And judging by comments I've seen, I'm not sure I should.... unless I reinforce them or something. Sounds like quite a few have snapped off just during driving. Nice.

[SoCalcaniac]

I saw that comment too E. :lol:

We got our flags (oh, they were being distributed outside as you are entering the RBC- I heard people saying "we had to walk back to our cars with those flags", lol) anyway, we have 4 of them, put two up on the car, and I don't think we'll be doing that again. While ours did not break off, the entire ride back to Apex, I was sure they were gonna snap off, they were extremely loud and I thought if one or both did break off, they'd damage the sunroof. I didn't see the "Litter" described by that person in the N&O, however, I thought my "STHer" flags were gonna be gone. Nice try, and the material seems to be of quality, much nicer than those Ch 17 flags they gave out during 2006, but I think the problem is in the actual flag holders. They seem a little too bendable.

59- that's the "fun" thing about preseason/camp- it's not uncommon to see players walking the concourse with us regular folk, when they're not dressed for the game. I totally remember when we came back from the lockout in 2005 there was a gaggle of players (Zigomanis, Commodore, LaRose, Ladd and CAdams and Boulerice) all walking the concourse on their way to the suite or wherever they were going to be that night. I remember rookie Ladd, stopping into the shop where they just sell jerseys 'browsing'. lol.

[alison]

We didn't put ours on. And judging by comments I've seen, I'm not sure I should.... unless I reinforce them or something. Sounds like quite a few have snapped off just during driving. Nice.

Sheesh, I agree - I have my (2) flags sitting in the back of my car, and if they're just going to break off and damage my car (or the car behind me), that's where they'll stay. When I first received them, I thought the main problem was that there was no "cushion" in the part that slides onto the window (so they'd just be banging on the window the entire ride), but now I see that the problem is the entire plastic piece :crazy: At least the flag quality is better than the freebie flags they've given out in the past.

[Guyute]

A good idea, and awful follow-through. Apparently they went cheap for the people who are plunking down huge sums of money for ticket plans. I guess it will work in some way for them though.
Cole was HUGELY excited to have car flags (our last ones are pretty torn up so we don't use them), but we obviously can't use these. So we'll have to go spend $15/ea on a decent pair. mfers.
screwed again.

[Mona2006]

I didn't see anybody too impressive last night. Chad did play hard and so did Scotty, but most didn't show me much. Cam was in la-la land when the pucks came flying in. Once he went down to stop a direct shot and he stopped it, but still looked behind him to see if it went through the five hole. More than once I saw Pitkanen lagging behind in his own little world when the rest of the players and the puck were way up the ice. Not sure what he was doing. The most exciting part of the entire game was the last minute of the first period when we came to life and pounded their goalie.. Sutter had his good moments. I think in time, he will be a good one for us.

O did look good in his faceoffs. Strange to see #92 back on the ice again after all this time.

[livinthedream]

I saw (and also LOL'd) at the post on LSB about the STH flag "advertising".

We didn't open ours last night but I took one out of its wraps this morning and compared it to a couple of our old SCC and sightless eye flags and I swear they don't feel any different quality-wise. So while it's hard for me to see where they went cheap it's hard to argue if folks are having major problems with them.

We have bunches of old flags already and I like the beat-up look they've acquired, so we'll probably try flying the new ones and if they break just go back to the old ones.

[VandyCane]

Forslund was on 99.9 this morning and he didn't seemed to be as concerned about Gleason's injury. He said he wasn't scheduled to play today and that he might be kept out of the weekend games as a "precautionary measure". At the same time he didn't really say what kind of injury it was. If he knows, he certainly didn't tell us radio listening folk!

[SoCalcaniac]

Yeah, Forslund said this morning, the same thing he said last night. Which for me, is not helpful; and he sounded more concerned last night, and today it's all breezy no big deal-also not helpful when he sounds one way 10 hours prior. and this is without him getting any more info than what he knew last night. Makes me think there is some type of kool-aid they have to drink when it comes to injury.

If Laviolette says "a little while" - my thought is a couple weeks.But of course nobody can just identify what a little while exactly means. Totally frustrating.

[KaniacFever]

After my sister called me last night to tell me her flags snapped on the way home, I started inspecting ours. I was able to bend it pretty easily, not much pressure at all. I think if I used half my strength (which isn't much) it would have broke in half. The one I was playing around with is actually alittle bent now :lol: I figure I'll just take the flag off the pole and hang it in my cube.

So on another topic. What did folks thing about the parking? We parked over in West and I noticed they had both sides opened for going in and coming out. I'm wondering if they are going to do that during the regular season as well or if it was just b/c it was preseason.

[IceSaber]

Bright Spots - I got to remeet LTD (AKA dreamy), and see Socal after TOO LONG a summer (as my daughter sighed as we waited to see Cam skate out.

I was WAY disappointed. I did like the Picky, Corvo, Samsanov trifecta on the power plays about the only thing of the night...except that last minute int eh first....major disappointment was (well, besides having to leave early because I totally pissed my 3 month old off) that O'Neill didn't play/skate better. I know I might be biased, but I think my husband could outskate/play him right now...and wouldn't THAT be fun to have my hubby in camp?? I digress....

On the training front - I do believe the conditioning point is to prepare them to take the abuse and prevent injury. In fact, I think Brindamour said just that in an interview he did during THE RUN. I know he typically plays hurt....but I was positive he was hurt and playing hurt early last year...and when you continue working out, hurt, you start to compensate for the injury...I am positive that he did that last year and weakened the stability of his knee by training hurt...and then - well , we all know what happend....then who would let Brindy and WIlliams run in the 5K after having bum knees last year?? If my money was that heavily invested...I wouldn't have. Just saying.

[corylav]

In talking to Laviolette, I can say his tone seemed concerned when talking about Gleason — so I think it's more the "hopefully he's ready for the opener" injury than a "we're just being cautious."

Also, given that no one wants to step up and earn Justin's spot yet, I asked Cullen about maybe playing wing like he did a lot a couple years back. He said, “We’ll see, I guess we’ll see how the exhibition season goes. Personally, I don’t care where I play. I just want to play and try and make a difference.”

If someone doesn't emerge for the wing spot, I really think that might be the team's best option, especially if Sutter and Player X can split third- and fourth-line centering duties.

[nccanes]

Thanks for the scoop Cory.

I'm not sure if you heard Forslund's post-game chat with Maniscalco, but one thing did catch my attention. He seemed to suggest that the jury is still out on Sutter. He chose his words carefully, but definitely put a little doubt in my mind. Now whether that's coming from his own brain or from some crumbs he's picked up in other conversations, who knows.

[SoCalcaniac]

Cory, I was wondering if you were covering things last night. Thank you for sharing your Lavi conversation, now THAT, is helpful.

Icesaber: Little Ice and the Icicle are just too cute. After our reunion there last night, he says "someone sure is proud to be a big sister!" lol.

Back to the lineup- I'm really puzzled on the kids - Bowman & Sutter and what appears (and Cory you tell me if I'm overstating this based on your conversations with them) the two are overwhelmed by the thought of grabbing a spot on this team (?)

I know they're kids, they're super young- I got that. and I'm not trying to put the screws to them and say these kids are flailing. But here's the thing, and don't kill me with the comparing players thing- I took a long hard look at the Boychuk kid and he's got that look in his eyes. (Injury be damned I'm making them notice me) and I'm sure I'll sound like a Staal honk,and I don't apologize for it-but when he came in as a rooke, all 10 pounds of him, and I kept thinking no way he's going to play for us, no way, he's too this, he's gonna get killed, blah, blah. And game one in preseason, he scores, game 2, scores, game 3, and on and on. He still completely looked in over his head, but he had that Boychuk look in his face- "nobody is sending me back to Peterborough" and he just kept getting better. So that's the good news. This is one game and there is time to show us; so maybe these two (Bowman and Sutter) are different - and shouldn't be lumped in with the likes of Staal. Just an observation and me wondering out loud what makes players tick and their approach.

[caneshockeychick]

SoCal, I see the Boychuk thing too. the one practice I've been to, you could just tell he wanted to open it all wide up and go. He wants to stay here.

I didn't see that same intensity in Bowman or Sutter, I haven't seen that in either of them, not last night, not in practice.

[corylav]

Cory, I was wondering if you were covering things last night. Thank you for sharing your Lavi conversation, now THAT, is helpful.

Icesaber: Little Ice and the Icicle are just too cute. After our reunion there last night, he says "someone sure is proud to be a big sister!" lol.

Back to the lineup- I'm really puzzled on the kids - Bowman & Sutter and what appears (and Cory you tell me if I'm overstating this based on your conversations with them) the two are overwhelmed by the thought of grabbing a spot on this team (?)

I know they're kids, they're super young- I got that. and I'm not trying to put the screws to them and say these kids are flailing. But here's the thing, and don't kill me with the comparing players thing- I took a long hard look at the Boychuk kid and he's got that look in his eyes. (Injury be damned I'm making them notice me) and I'm sure I'll sound like a Staal honk,and I don't apologize for it-but when he came in as a rooke, all 10 pounds of him, and I kept thinking no way he's going to play for us, no way, he's too this, he's gonna get killed, blah, blah. And game one in preseason, he scores, game 2, scores, game 3, and on and on. He still completely looked in over his head, but he had that Boychuk look in his face- "nobody is sending me back to Peterborough" and he just kept getting better. So that's the good news. This is one game and there is time to show us; so maybe these two (Bowman and Sutter) are different - and shouldn't be lumped in with the likes of Staal. Just an observation and me wondering out loud what makes players tick and their approach.

I didn't get to talk to Sutter at all. I went to the visiting locker room after the Red-White, and the prospects were housed there, with the NHL guys — and that's how Kyle Hanlin described it: the NHL guys — in the normal locker room. Sutter was among the NHLers, because I asked for him in the other. But I did get to speak to Bowman. Honestly, he looked a touch overwhelmed, and just based on the vibe I got, I asked him if he was still recovering from his long season. He said he was, and that he just didn't get as much gym time as a normal offseason (b/c of the Memorial Cup run). I think he might just be tired — it's been non-stop for the kid.

[andyt]

I didn't get to talk to Sutter at all. I went to the visiting locker room after the Red-White, and the prospects were housed there, with the NHL guys — and that's how Kyle Hanlin described it: the NHL guys — in the normal locker room. Sutter was among the NHLers, because I asked for him in the other. But I did get to speak to Bowman. Honestly, he looked a touch overwhelmed, and just based on the vibe I got, I asked him if he was still recovering from his long season. He said he was, and that he just didn't get as much gym time as a normal offseason (b/c of the Memorial Cup run). I think he might just be tired — it's been non-stop for the kid.

Sounds like Sutter's summer last year, except change Memorial Cup with Russia series.

[corylav]

Sounds like Sutter's summer last year, except change Memorial Cup with Russia series.

Yeah ... only break Bowman got was the sham job by USA Hockey at the World Juniors. But Drayson had the Memorial Cup, then USA Hockey camp. And now Canes camp. Rough stretch.