Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have not defeated the L.A. Kings since February 13, 2007. That record can cause a little angst, think Biggie versus 2Pac. That would make Canes like Bad Boy Records for those who need a refresher course on the 90’s hip-hop feud. So, it only seems appropriate I write this game preview in a lyrical rap… Throw your hands in the air, if youse a true player! Ok, that isn’t going to fly. It would be like Betty White donning a gold chain and spitting words about snagging some dough. Actually, she could probably pull it off better than me. [...]

The Carolina Hurricanes were in Beantown for round 4 of the Canes vs. Bruins “rivalry”.  Carolina played 60 minutes of hockey with “no passengers.”  It is a game like tonight that still makes me feel a sense of hope for our team.  We swept the defending Stanley Cup champions!  Cam Ward was on point, earning his 3rd shutout of the season and his 19th of his career.

After a brief stop at home, the 18-25-9 Hurricanes are in Boston to face the 32-14-2 Bruins. In the last Canes / B’s preview, KP likened this pairing to a boxing match and I agree. I will not be parading around the ring in a bikini holding up a sign, but trust me, it’s round 4! (Also trust me when I say saving you from that bikini image is the kindest thing I could ever do for you dear readers. You can thank me later.) Normally a fourth match-up between conference rivals would not draw so much attention, but the [...]

The Hurricanes started off slow and couldn’t catch up as they gave up a goal early in the first period and late in the second, eventually losing to the New York Islanders 5-2. Brandon Sutter tried to get Carolina going at 3:15 of the second, with Tim Brent scoring about 3 minutes later on the power play. The Canes ended up going 1-for-2 on the power play for the night, while the Islanders were able to get four power plays, scoring on two of them. John Tavares is beginning to be a “Canes Killer,” registering 2 goals, 2 assists, a [...]

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman held his yearly State of the League Address over All Star weekend.  I sifted through a lot of the political jargon, the what may or may not happen scenarios, etc. etc. The league seems to be doing great.  The NHL is expecting to break the record for people attending games for a season, conference races for the playoff spots are close, and the competition is great.  Fast forward to Jim Rutherford and his comments.

When the Hurricanes (18-24-9) last entertained the New York Islanders (19-22-7) in their home barn they were battling to stay out of the basement of the Eastern Conference. In this third of four meetings for the teams, the Hurricanes unfortunately hold that last place position behind the Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres (Ouch. That hurt.) All three teams have forty-five points but the Islanders have games in hand over the Canes. The Islanders have won both contests in this series so far, last beating the boys from Carolina in a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss in Nassau Coliseum. The man of [...]

Tim Gleason got a belated birthday present today as the Hurricanes re-signed the defenseman to a 4-year, $16 million deal. Gleason is currently in his 8th season in the league and was long rumored to be traded before the trade deadline late next month. The press release from the team is below: RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed defenseman Tim Gleason to a four-year contract extension. The deal will pay Gleason $3.5 million in 2012-13, $4.5 million in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and $3.5 million in 2015-16. [...]

The 2012 All Star weekend has come to a close.  Team Chara was on the winning end of the point total defeating Team Alfredsson 12-9 in what was a very eventful weekend.  The fans were treated to some outstanding hockey displayed by both teams.  The crowd of 20,000 plus were very gracious to the players as long as you were not wearing a Leafs jersey.  It did not take long for the highlight goals to start flooding in.