Something to Believe In
Oct 31, 2008
Something to Believe In...
Well, it's over. The rigorous "Tour De NHL" is finished. A six game absence thanks to the state fair invading the RBC neighborhood, or maybe it's the other way around, gave the Canes a chance to build. It's great to back home and watch the Canes return a confident lot with success under their belt on enemy ice. It wasn't easy and at times it was agonizing to watch as the Canes dealt with one hurdle after another. In a bottom line business, they got it done.
In this league there is never a break. A quality segment of positive results is often met with more challenges. If a team takes just the slightest of breathers the throws of the 82 game grind can get a hold of a group and then look out. The Hurricanes went through that a season ago. A terrific first month followed by a let down, injuries etc., a great post all-star run and it wasn't enough. But , as the local hero's return from their travels there are many bullet points to look at and dwell on. Hopefully, they all will be indicators of a strong follow up. A reason to believe.
Goaltending...
It's the position of importance. The foundation any team needs. Cam Ward returns from this segment as a mentally stronger goaltender than he left. He met the challenge of not getting that start in Pittsburgh on the 23rd and delivered "A" caliber play in his next three outings. Michael Leighton, proved to be a quality addition. When the Canes were at their worst defensively he was their saving grace. Two quality starts gave the Canes their only chance to get two points out of a Anaheim/Pittsburgh sequence.
Defensive adjustments...
At the start of the season we talked about how this would take time. The back end had been completely overhauled and chemistry would have to be worked on. For the forwards they would need to step out of character and change some of their habits to solidify this area of team play. As the season unraveled so did the old "D" zone. But efforts by the coaches and a better trust among the players became evident at the end of the trip. A game in Montreal wear they only allowed six (5 on 5) chances. The date with the Blues that saw them negate the transitional speed of one of the faster teams in the West. It's far from over but they do have a building block and maybe one of the most important awakenings for this group.
Adversity...
Last season, the Canes got off to a great start too. But it came very easy. Goals were being scored in bunches. The power play had zip and Ward's goalkeeping was "red hot". The Canes won some easy games. If you look at what has happened here nothing has been easy. The goals at times have needed to be ugly. The power play has sputtered. Many of their victories were good old fashioned "grind it out" affairs. Let's not forget injuries. Big time maladies, again. How do you respond ?. Well, this group answered the call in "big" way. This builds team unity and although we can all do away with watching player after player go down, it's how they have handled it that has to impress.
Building a team...
In this past the Hurricanes spent some time at training camp going over team building exercises to unify their group. I remember asking the coach about that in the summer and he said just look at our October sked, and that's all the bonding anyone needs. The Canes could have returned from this sojourn with a worse record, but they still would have come back a closer group. They were forced on each other and as an outside observer you could see it start to mold. This team finished the trip playing hard for each other. It was evident by the way they killed penalties in St Louis. If a team mate puts you in a tough spot, bail him out. That's the type of mentality that needs to be carried out over and over again.
The first month is done. The Canes stand 5-2-2. If the were rock stars they have charted with their first album. Now the trick is to follow it up. They have exhibited some elements they make you think they can do just that. Okay Brett Michaels... it's something to BELIEVE IN !
Cheers !
