Cole shines as Whitney stars
Mar 7, 2009
Tags: Hockey, Carolina Hurricanes
The return was something out of a Hollywood script, the beloved player returns to the only team he had played for after being traded in the summer and scores a goal to help his team beat a Stanley Cup contender. Erik Cole's first game back with his original team saw him skate hard, throw his weight around and score a goal that capped a three minute barrage in the first period that gave Carolina a 3-0 lead. Seeing this was something from a movie, a little help from a wizard was in order as Ray Whitney netted a hat trick, the third goal being the 300th of Whitney's career and Carolina steam rolled Calgary 6-1. Those are just two of the stories as Carolina has now played two complete games over Stanley Cup contendning teams (Tuesdays 5-2 win over Washington).
Cole brought more than a spark to the team on the ice as the RBC Center crowds was amped up right from the start and right from the jump the the Canes were better than Calgary. Erik Cole also brings out the best in Eric Staal, number 12 skated hard and played one of his best two-way games of the season, going to the front of both nets and setting up two goals. Cole was what the team needed him to be and Ray Whitney was what he has been so many times for the Canes a big time goal scorer. Whitney scored three times onthe power play and reached the career milestone, and after the game quipped it will make his dad happy.
A new line also made an impact as Sergei Samsonov joined Rod Brind'Amour and Patrick Eaves, this combination had multiple scoring chances and Samsonov scored a highlite reel goal on a breakaway to give the Canes a 2-0 lead. This could be the perfect mix for the Canes as Brind'Amour and Samsonov clicked last year and going up against opponents third defenseive pairing could give Carolina more balance on the lines. That is the other impact of the Cole acquisition, not just igniting Eric Staal's play, but bringing a third line into the mix with scoring punch.
This game more than the offensive display, as Calgary came in with the third best record out West but could only watch as they were physically dominated by Carolina. The Canes were smarter, faster and tougher. As it was clear the game could not be won by the Flames, Calgary turned to the addage if you can't beat them, try to beat them up. The Hurricanes didn't flinch, as Dennis Seidenberg laid out Warren Peters with a clean open ice hit, the Flames Eric Nystrom jumped the defenseman who handled his business. Tim Gleason was ready to throw with Jerome Iginla and Tim Conboy defended his teammates against Jim Vandemeer who tried to take liberites.
Cam Ward was solid in the nets, with help from a team committed to playing defense that did not allow Calgary but a handful of scoring chances. The win also keeps Carolina 2 points out of 5th place, but still out of the top 8 one point behind Pittsburgh, New York and Florida. Tonight the team is in Tampa with a chance to move into the eight, if the team plays with the jam they had against Calgary gettingpoints should not be a problem.
