Swept Away

Well, a fantastic season came to an end yesterday for the Hurricanes as they lost to Pittsburgh 4-1, completing a four-game sweep of the series for the Pens. I hate to see the year end on such a sour note, especially considering what Carolina accomplished this year. Back in December, this team was floundering around .500, had just fired their coach, and looked destined for their third straight season of post-Stanley Cup mediocrity. They turned things around, and over the last two months of the season were one of the hottest teams in the NHL, ironically, probably second only to Pittsburgh. Upset wins over New Jersey and top-seed Boston and a place in the NHL's final four were more than anyone expected a few months ago. This team made a great run, and has a bright-looking future.

However, that future is filled with questions. Some are easy (does Paul Maurice lose the 'interim' tag as head coach?), and some are tough (out of a free agent crop of Cole, LaRose, Jokinen, Ruutu, Babchuk, and Seidenberg, who do you inevitably let walk?). It'll be an interesting offseason, and I'll be excited to see the Canes take the ice again in October. As for the Stanley Cup finals? I'll be cheering for the Pens.

On The Brink

Well, it went from bad to worse for my Hurricanes last night, losing 6-2 to Pittsburgh in Raleigh to fall behind 3-0 in the series. They played defense more porous than a sponge and just never looked like they were on the Penguins' level. To keep the season going, they'll have to become just the third team in NHL history to climb out of a 3-0 hole. That gigantic effort starts Tuesday night in Game 4. I don't like their chances - at all - but I've also watched this team enough to know that they're never out of it until the final buzzer sounds. Come on, Canes!

Backs, Meet Wall

Monday night, it was goalie Marc-Andre Fleury who turned in a superstar performance for the Penguins. Last night, it was Evgeni Malkin, who notched a hat trick and powered the Pens to a 7-4 Game 2 win over my Canes. His third and final goal midway through the third period that padded Pittsburgh's lead to 2 left even me staring in awe. Malkin is simply amazing, and if Carolina's going to stand a chance in Saturday's now-pivotal Game 3, they've got to find a way to put a body on him and slow him down. Here's hoping the RBC Center crowd in Raleigh will give the Canes a lift over the next two to even this series.

A Familiar Start

Well, at least we were competitive in this one. In what's becoming a theme in these playoffs, my Hurricanes dropped Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals last night to Pittsburgh, 3-2. I say it's becoming a theme because Carolina lost their openers in the first two rounds to New Jersey and Boston before bouncing back to win those series. Those first two were blowouts, but the Canes played tough last night, and probably would have won the game if not for a superhuman performance from Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, especially in the first period. Game 2 is Thursday night, and if form holds, we've got them right where we want them. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway.

They Did It Again!!!

This is getting crazy. My Carolina Hurricanes pulled off another miracle finish last night, grabbing a 3-2 overtime win over Boston in Game 7 to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Much-maligned Canes forward Scotty Walker tapped home a rebound for the game winner with just under 1:15 to go in the 1st OT. So, after squandering a 3-1 series lead against the East's top team, Carolina pulled it out after all. I don't know what it is about Carolina pro sports, but they tend to really love this script - come charging out of the gates, build a lead, squander it, then win it at the end. It's stressful as all getout to watch, but hey - let's keep riding this wave all the way to the Cup!

Another Finnish Finish

Few people in the hockey world noticed back in February when the Hurricanes picked up underachieving winger Jussi Jokinen of Finland off of wavers from Tampa Bay. They've all noticed now. After his first round heroics (a game-winner in Game 4 with .2 seconds left and the tying goal in Game 7 with 1:20 left), he slapped home a rebound last night to give the Canes a 3-2 overtime win and a 2-1 lead in their second round series against Boston. Carolina now has the chance to deliver a crippling blow to the Bruins in Game 4 Friday night in Raleigh.

Hurricanes Update - Still Alive!

I must admit, when we left for Canada last week, I wasn't sure my Carolina Hurricanes would still be playing hockey when we returned. Now, not only did they score 2 goals in the final 1:20 of Game 7 to defeat New Jersey 4-3 in the game and in the first-round series, but they steamrolled the top-seeded Boston Bruins last night 3-0 in Game 2 of their second round series to even things at a game apiece headed back to Raliegh for Wednesday's Game 3. Could they shock the east's best team, a squad who swept the four-game regular season series? I'll never say never with this bunch. Being a Carolina sports fan may not be good for your personal stress level, but it sure is a lot of fun!

0.2

That's how much time was left on the clock last night when Jussi Jokinen's deflection of a Dennis Seidenberg shot crossed the goal line, giving the Hurricanes an incredible 4-3 win over New Jersey and evening the series at 2-2. It was the latest regulation game-winner in playoff history, and an incredible finish to a game Carolina had to have. If you missed it, here's a look.

One Step Forward...

...you know the rest. After snatching home-ice advantage from the Devils on Friday, the Hurricanes gave it back last night, falling to New Jersey 3-2 in overtime. This put the Devils ahead 2-1 in the series and will make tomorrow's Game 4 vital, as a 3-1 deficit heading back to New Jersey would be incredibly difficult to overcome. Come on, Canes!

Now We're Even

That's more like it. After a dismal Game 1, the Canes evened the series with a 2-1 overtime win over the Devils in Game 2. Tim Gleason picked a great time to score his first goal of the season with the game-winner. Now the series shifts back to Raleigh, and since Carolina stole a game in New Jersey they just need to win their three home games to earn a trip to the second round.

Let's Try That Again

Well, the way my Carolina Hurricanes opened the playoffs last night looked a lot like the way my Carolina Panthers opened their playoffs back in January. Thankfully, at least the Canes will get another chance. They were dominated by New Jersey last night 4-1 in the opener of their best-of-seven 1st round series. Here's hoping they have a better showing tomorrow night. I'd like them to at least stick around long enough for me to get to see them on TV.

It Starts Tonight

Even if you're not a hockey fan, let me suggest that you check out one of the most exciting events in all of sports as the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin tonight. Here's a little taste of what's in store (gotta love Carolina announcer John Forslund's signature "Hey, hey, whaddaya say" at around the 1 minute mark). Let's go Canes!

Pulling For the Trifecta

I've dubbed it "The Trifecta." It's never happened before - all 3 Carolina pro sports teams making the playoffs in the same season. There's an outside chance it could happen this year, and the prospect has me pumped with anticipation. The Carolina Panthers already did their part, smashing through the regular season with a 12-4 record, winning the NFC South division, and heading into the playoffs (unfortunately with very forgettable results). Next on tap, the Carolina Hurricanes, who at present are arguably the hottest team in the entire NHL coming off a 10-1-2 March. After beginning the month as an inconsistent team with fringe playoff hopes, the renaissance of goalie Cam Ward and the reaquisition of forward Erik Cole (who was just traded away to Edmonton last summer) has them sitting smack dab in the middle of the Eastern Conference race as the team that nobody wants to play in the first round. After last season's final week collapse that left the Canes a point out of the playoffs I don't want to assume anything right now, but they look like a pretty sure bet for postseason play this year. Then you've got the Charlotte Bobcats, a bit of a long shot for the NBA playoffs right now but all the more exciting because nobody ever expected them to even be where they are now. With new coach (but Hall-of-Famer) Larry Brown at the helm, the team struggled out of the gate to adjust to his demanding system and style of play. However, a midseason makeover (and an extreme one at that) of the roster has them playing great basketball right now, culminating in a win over the Lakers Tuesday night. A double-overtime heartbreaking loss to defending-champ Boston last night hurt, and it's likely that the early season hole they dug is just a hair too deep for their late surge to overcome, but they're only a game and a half out of the final spot with 7 to go, so anything's possible. At any rate, expectations should be high next year with the current roster coming into training camp rather than learning to play together on the fly. Will the Cats sneak past Chicago or Detroit and into the playoffs? Will the Canes repeat their magical 2006 Stanley Cup run? Will I ever get over that Arizona playoff game? I don't know, but it's sure a great time to be a Carolina sports fan.

I Believe This Would Classify as a "Choke"

This is from a game in 2007, but I just stumbled upon it today. Wow.

Goal of the Year

I'd like Alexander Ovechkin more if he wasn't in Carolina's division. Holy cow, this is pretty.

Out With the Old, In With the Older?

Just when I thought I'd seen it all in the sports world. Today, my Carolina Hurricanes fired coach Peter Laviolette and replaced him with...the guy that they fired 5 years ago whom Laviolette replaced, Paul Maurice. I just don't get it. Laviolette wins you the first Stanley Cup in franchise history, and you can him after two disappointing (and injury-riddled, I might add) seasons. This year has been no different - the Canes are hovering around .500, but have lost a ton of guys to injuries in the young season. It's this same "what have you done lately" attitude that had people calling for Carolina Panthers coach John Fox's job during the summer - and he's come back to lead them to the best start in team history this year. Doubtlessly, 'Canes management is hoping for the same kind of bounce that Bruce Boudreau brought to Washington when he took over mid-season last year, and I hope Maurice provides it. I'll be pulling for him all the way. That doesn't change the fact that I find this move - and the overall approach to coaches in pro sports - dumb.

Ouch

My Hurricanes are off to a good start at 4-2-1, but if stuff like this concussion-inducing (though clean) hit on rookie Brandon Sutter keeps happening, we won't be able to put a team on the ice by January. Get well soon, Brandon.

The Sad Cost of Improvement

Well, my Caroina Hurricanes took a major step in shoring up their shaky defense yesterday, but it came with a big price tag. The Canes acquired talented young defenseman Joni Pitkanen from Edmonton yesterday in exchange for popular star forward Erik Cole. The deal makes sense - Carolina was overloaded with a glut of talented forwards but in dire need of help along the blue line following the retirements of Glen Wesley and Bret Hedican from what was an already thin corps. Pitkanen brings youth (24 years old), size (6'3", 210), and scoring potential (averaging 36 points per season over his career) to the Canes, but Cole will be dearly missed. He came into his own in the Canes' run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2002, developing an eye for the net and a reputation as a tough team player. He approached local legend status when he played in the final two games of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals after suffering a broken neck earlier in the season. He's the consummate pro - a great guy on the ice, in the locker room, and in the community - and he'll be dearly missed. As a going-away tribute, here's a video of one of my favorite Cole moments. Last year against Minnesota, Canes star center Eric Staal was the victim of a cheap shot that plowed him head first into the boards. Who comes flying off the bench to stick up for his injured teammate? #26.

One For the Ages

If you missed last night's game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, then you missed over 100 minutes of fantastic hockey. Up 3-1 in the series and trying to clinch, Detroit put on a ferocious third period push to take the lead and start the countdown to their coronation. Looking panicky and done, Pittsburgh found new life when Max Talbot jammed home a rebound with 30 seconds left, forcing sudden-death overtime. It took 3 overtimes, but the Penguins finally prevailed on Peter Sykora's power play goal and pushed the series to 3-2. The Penguins were as gritty a team as I've ever seen - goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was truly phenomenal, defenseman Sergei Gonchar picked up an assist on the game winning goal after missing the third period and the first two overtimes due to crashing head-first into the boards late in the second period, and winger Ryan Malone played to the end with a battered visage after taking a slap shot to the face (already having suffered a broken nose just a week prior) in the second period. Detroit was the better team last night, but the Penguins refused to go down, which made for thrilling and riveting viewing. Do yourself a favor and catch game 6 Wednesday night.

Why You Should Watch the Stanley Cup Finals

The NHL's Stanley Cup Finals open tonight at 7:30 with the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the Detroit Red Wings. If you're not a hockey fan, let me suggest that you give the Finals a chance largely due to this kid - Sydney Crosby. Crosby, who plays for Pittsburgh, is arguably already the best player in the league at only 20 years old. Here's a SportsCenter collection of his 10 best career goals.