The most unfortunate part of the Carolina Hurricanes’ faceplant in the Eastern Conference Finals is that in the grand scheme of the 2009 playoffs, despite their fantastic comebacks and thrilling upset victories, the ‘Canes turned out to be nothing but a skid mark on the padded shorts of the Pittsburgh Penguins on the way to […]
Kate Shefte
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Pittsburgh completes sweep with 4-1 win over ‘Canes
RBC CENTER/ RALEIGHTonight, there was really only pride on the line. The last time a team came back from a 3-0 series deficit was in 1975, and that squad had it easy – no Malkin or Crosby. The ‘Canes played like a team that didn’t want to be swept, but as Maurice said, ‘it was […]
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Hurricanes blown away, 6-2, at home in Game 3
RBC CENTER/RALEIGHHome ice didn’t turn out quite the advantage the Hurricanes were hoping for, as they slid into a nearly insurmountable 3-0 series deficit. The Penguins exposed some wide and worrisome holes in the ‘Canes’ defense, easily outplaying the home team en route to a 6-2 win. Bates Battaglia manned the storm siren at the […]
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Penguins march to 7-4 win, 2-0 series lead
VERSUS/TVCam Ward, who has become almost expected to backstop the ‘Canes to victory after each loss, was lit up for six goals and the ‘Canes went down in flames, 7-4, in Game 2. Each of the upcoming games in Raleigh on Saturday and Tuesday are now must-wins, as a loss would put the ‘Canes on […]
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Cole, Ruutu “not likely” for Game 2
Finally, some news regarding Carolina’s two hard-hitting wingers. Both players were injured during Game 1, with Ruutu hitting the ice hard after his legs were tangled up just over two minutes into the first period and Cole suffering a knee-on-knee collision in front of his own net in the third. Both were pegged with “lower […]
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‘Canes drop Game 1. (Is there an echo in here?)
FS-CR/TV – Well. Um. At least it wasn’t 4-1 for a change? The Hurricanes managed to hold league poster boy Sidney Crosby without a shot on goal through two periods for the first time in the postseason and allowed him only two in the third. Aside from Marc-Andre Fleury, who outplayed Cam Ward tonight (didn’t […]
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The Hurricanes’ homecoming parties are something to behold.
RDU AIRPORT/RALEIGHLove or hate the move from Hartford, it’s hard to argue against the fact that North Carolina has added several fascinating contributions to the sport of hockey. Tailgating, for one – the rest of the league has no idea what they’re missing. Ric Flair, whether the sport wanted him or not. Cowbells are a […]
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Walker scores in OT, Carolina is going to the Eastern Conference Finals
FS-CR/TVDavid ultimately trumped Goliath, yet again, except this time the story took an unexpected turn. Goliath woke up, saw the rock embedded in his forehead, realized what was happening and pounded David into dust before David could finish him off. Dazed and discouraged, David turned to his friend, Scotty Walker, who was hated by the […]
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‘Canes blow it again at home; get ready for Game 7
RBC CENTER/ RALEIGHWhen Eric Staal warningly told the press that the ‘fourth win was the hardest” after Game 4, he wasn’t screwing around. The oddly prophetic statement now has more than a twinge of desperation in it, as his ‘Canes are suddenly on the brink after failing to close Boston out twice in a row. […]
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Walker gets slapped with a fine, not a suspension
This afternoon, NHL officials announced that Scott Walker will be fined $2,500 for his involvement in a scrum in the final minutes of Game 5, in which he punched Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward in the face with his bare fist. Ward didn’t try to defend himself and could be out for the rest of his […]