You Can Go Home
Feb 12, 2009
You Can Go Home...
Well, well, here we are in place called Raleigh where there will actually be an NHL game played tonight. An important one at that as the Canes have a chance at the Florida Panthers one of two left on their schedule with the Floridians. These head to head headers go a long way in determining where you sit in mid April and whether or not you get to play an additional season of hockey. Both teams have defined themselves after the all star break with the Hurricanes posting a 4-2-0 accord and the Cats checking in at 5-2-0. Florida has utilized a Maple Leaf meltdown in two games within the last week. They recovered from 3-1down in Toronto to win in OT last Tuesday and climbed back from 4-1 in game's final 12 minutes to win again in extra hockey the night before last. The Canes, we all know how the road exploits have kept them in position to climb back into their group of eight and start using the home confines to their advantage. Here are some random thoughts on this game day morn.
Emotional Rescue...
If you watched the Canes practice this week you probably have noticed some light moments and some heavy duty chatter. By design, the Canes have worked hard at keeping it light within the past few weeks. One of the areas Paul Maurice noticed about the group was that they practiced in a business like yet mundane manner. He has changed that. He asked his team to be vocal, to "rib" each other and to take the decibel level up to another place. This was truly evident in Vancouver last Wednesday. The Canes had just evaporated in the final two minutes the night before and the next day reveled during practice as if they were waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square on New Year's eve. This week the coach has pointed to the importance of this based on the spacing of games. The Hurricanes are trying to avoid couple of demons tonight. Based on two off days it was important to shake off the rust. Secondly, avoid the 'first game back blues". Many teams will take at least a period to get their legs when they return from a long road trip, it's just the nature of the game. The Canes can't afford this. There will no room in their game for any malaise tonight. To avoid being pounced on by the Cats who played on Tuesday, Maurice has created a practice atmosphere of upbeat karma, in his word's bring back "the muscle memory" of the road trip.
Badge of Courage...
Great to see Tim Gleason wear the "A" in Phoenix on Saturday night. I remember when the Canes first acquired this guy and I called out west to get a read. One of my contacts with the Kings told me that part of Tim's demeanor was the fact if he doesn't like something within a game or even a practice he'll do something about it. I have never let go of that and as you watch this guy play it pops up over and over again.. The first period in the desert was just okay with the Canes teetering on the verge of being outplayed when Gleason dropped the"mitts" with Dan Carcillo. It was a turning point of emotional rescue and his team felt the surge and took off from there. He paid a price, receiving stitches after being hit while down by Phoenix's puncher. It did that with pride as he did the letter on his sweater. A modern day warrior that Gleason guy.
Funny place to start....
Rod Brind'Amour will start tonight's game on the fourth line between Ryan Bayda and Brandon Sutter. The coach's plan is to open up the game with the same top three lines that finished the 7-2 thumping of the Coyotes. Okay, that's understood. But no one is talking about the "elephant in the room" here. Your captain and a player of high position on the payroll playing on the fourth line. In addition, Sutter plays the right side, out of position. Newly acquired Jussi Jokinen who acquitted himself very nicely will start the game with Chad Larose and Patrick Eaves. It will be interesting to see how long this lasts. Jokinen, was fine in Phoenix. Arriving on the "orient express" he did not take the warm-up and really had to meet his team mates after the game. But he did fine in the circle, was responsible and garnered an assist. Now enter the Capetian who based on his two practices this week, looks totally refreshed. There seems to be a sentiment that the Hurricanes are somewhat better off without their captain. That premise is wrong. Rod Briind'Amour has had his more than his share of struggles this season. But now he has had his internal challenge. Yesterday, he and Justin Williams were the last two players on the ice long after everyone else had called it a day. You will hear from the captain starting tonight. My read is he will move into Jokinen's slot during the game and the Canes will swing number 36 around. For the long term, the Hurricanes will have to go back to it and he should give them every reason.
ETC...
No real update on the condition of Scott Walker. It has been explained to me that he has good and bad moments within the same day. This is very similar to what Matt Cullen went through last year. Once again, it's too bad the team's don't provide more info on these matters. Many times they don't know what road these head traumas will take a player down. It's a very murky scenario for number 24. Dennis Seidenberg is very unlikely to play tonight. If fact, he won't. He appeared to be 100 percent last week at least that is the word we heard out west. One day of practice and more problems for number 4, extremely day to day for him. The Toronto Maple Leafs have publicly put Nik Antropov on the block. He's big, talented and has underachieved, again. He has a history with Paul Maurice. There is really nothing to base this own but a hunch, look for the Canes to ring the 416 and at least inquire about number 80. In case you missed it Wade Brookbank was waived and placed in the AHL by Tampa. New players come in and all the attention goes to them especially when the guy leaving was not dressing. The final note today is for "Brooker" as he mates called him. He was a solid Hurricane. A good man. He quietly came to work without complaint. When the Canes needed a heavy dose of toughness, they summoned him and he did his job well and often. The team rewarded him by giving him a one way contract. It was money well invested for guy who very well respected by those who played with him and those who did not. Good Luck Brooker!
Enjoy the game!
