Carolina Hockey Network: March 2012

Saturday, March 31, 2012

In-Game Notes: Carolina Hurricanes vs New Jersey Devils

Hurricanes' 5-0 loss to Devils shows impact of missing playoffs

The Carolina Hurricanes suffered what can best be described as a demoralizing 5-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. on Saturday night.Both teams played a competitive first period which highlighted scoring...

In-Game Notes:

The Carolina Hurricanes have lost in their quest to make the NHL playoffs following a 4-3 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night at PNC Arena

The New Jersey Devils come to Raleigh looking to clinch a playoff spot on Saturdya and will take on the Hurricanes on the back end of their 16th and final back-to-back set of games for the season.

Brian Boucher gets the start in this one - his first since a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Mar. 17.

1st period:

Devils outshoot Hurricanes 17-7
Carolina takes three minor penalties - two by Jeff Skinner and one by Jussi Jokinen
New Jersey finishes the period scoring the first goal of the game with 21.5 seconds left to play as Skinner sits in the box
After the goal, as a result of Skinner's first penalty, the young forward makes a few choice comments towards the official and gets another penalty before the end of the period
During the period, the Devils' faceoff performance was key factor in oushooting the Hurricanes - particularly on their power play, winning all faceoffs with the man-advantage (5-5)

2nd period:

New Jersey scores two more goals early in the period to take a 3-0 lead early on and add another one later - 4-0 for New Jersey as teams go to their dressing rooms
Faceoffs are a big factor in setting up scoring play for New Jersey - Patrik Elias is a perfect 7-7 so far and was key in setting up the Devils fourth goal from Petr Sykora
New Jersey continues to maintain effective puck possession and maintaining pace of play throughout the period
Devils ousthooting Hurricanes 28-13 for the game - 11-6 for the period
Hurricanes record when trailing after two periods - 3-18-2

3rd period:

New Jersey gets another goal to extend lead to 5-0 only 1:15 into the period
Hurricanes continue to work in trying to break Martin Brodeur's shutout but can't beat the future Hall of Famer
Carolina keeps play moving much better than during the second period and narrows the gaps in shots on
However as the final horn sounds, Brodeur adds another shutout to his career record, New Jersey clinches a playoff spot while outhooting Carolina 31-22 and winning 5-0

Final score: New Jersey 5, Carolina 0

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Carolina Hurricanes announce Fan Appreciation events

Contests, giveaways and lawn parties highlight final week of Hurricanes regular season

Don't miss your chance to get Jamie McBain's bobblehead - Chris Baird, Baird Photography

As the Carolina Hurricanes continue their hot play late in the season following a 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, fans should remember to mark their calendars and plan accordingly for the final home games of the season, March 30-April 5.

Earlier in the week, Jon Chase, Director of Community Relations for the Hurricanes announced the details of all events for the team's upcoming Fan Appreciation Week events to take place at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C.

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Friday, March 30

Hurricanes vs Winnipeg Jets at 7 p.m.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Night presented by Belk

Beginning at 5 p.m., fans can enjoy a front lawn party presented by Verizon Wireless, featuring live music, an inflatable obstacle course, a Hurricanes moon bounce, street hockey, the slap shot booth and food and beverage.

In addition, the first 10,000 fans will receive a limited edition Jamie McBain bobblehead, the last in this year’s series sponsored by Compuware and 99.9 The Fan.

The game is also the final Family Night at PNC Arena. Four-ticket packages will be available, starting at $39, and every Family Night features $1 hot dogs.

In keeping with game-week pricing, the special Family Night ticket offers expire one week prior to the game.

Saturday, March 31

Hurricanes vs New Jersey Devils at 7 p.m.

All fans in attendance will receive a 2011-12 team poster, courtesy of the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program.

Following the game, selected fans will be invited onto the ice to receive an authentic jersey directly from a Hurricanes player.

Fans can enter contests to win a Justin Faulk jersey by visiting www.CarolinaHurricanes.com or a Tim Brent jersey by visiting the team’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/hurricanes).

Fans can also bid on Brandon Sutter’s jersey at the Kids ‘N Community Foundation kiosk located outside of section 129, or visit the promotions and fan development kiosk outside of section 108, to enter to win the jersey’s from Tuomo Ruutu or Brian Boucher.

There will also be a front lawn party sponsored by Verizon Wireless prior to the game, and Hurricanes mascot Stormy will be celebrating his birthday with fellow mascots throughout the night.

Sunday, April 1

The Hurricanes will hold their first “Alumni Fantasy Game,” as locally-based alumni including Ron Francis, Rod Brind’Amour and Glen Wesley take to the ice at PNC Arena.

Admission and parking to the event is free of charge to all fans.

Doors open to all fans at 2 p.m. and seating will be general admission.

Thursday, April 5

Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens - 7 p.m.

This will be the final regular-season home game at PNC Arena this season.

The first 14,000 fans through the doors will receive a limited edition Carolina Hurricanes hat, courtesy of Chevrolet.

The game will again be preceded by a front lawn party, presented by Verizon Wireless, beginning at 5 p.m.

Following the game, fans 18 and older will be invited to come onto the ice and take a shot from center ice, and all those participating will earn a chance to win pizza for a year from Papa John’s.

Prior to the final game of the season, the Hurricanes will also host a special contest, with the winner receiving 16 tickets to the game and the honor of sounding the Hurricane Warning Siren.

In order to enter, fans need to submit an explanation of how they represent the pride, passion and community of the Carolina Hurricanes, and how they would use the 16 tickets to help pass it on.

Submissions will be accepted from March 20-27, and a winner will be notified by March 28.

For more information, Fan Appreciation Week - carolinahurricanes.com/fanappreciation

Recent Carolina Hurricanes news on Examiner.com:

Staal, Pitkanen lead Hurricanes to 3-1 win over Panthers

The Carolina Hurricanes powered to a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. on Wednesday.Captain Eric Staal scored two goals and defenseman Joni Pitkanen added another goal to lead the Hurricanes while..

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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

In-Game Notes: Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers

Staal, Pitkanen lead Hurricanes to 3-1 win over Panthers

In-Game Notes:

The Carolina Hurricanes faceoff against the Florida Panthers at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. on Wednesday.

Both teams are undefeated - the Hurricanes in three games while the Panthers haven't lost in five games.

Carolina's still working hard to earn points and earning a few against Florida would be advantageous to keep fans in Raleigh excited and interested right up to the final game of the season.

1st period:

Hurricanes and Panthers start out trying to establish puck control in the neutral zone
Florida gets a faceoff in the Carolina end and the Hurricanes clear it out
Eric Staal gains the zone and brings the puck deep into the corner to Florida goalie Jose Theodore's left and behind the net
As Staal carrines the puck forward of the goal line to Theodore's right, he slides the puck towards the goal, it ricochets off the defenseman's skate and into the net - 1-0 Hurricanes at 0:46 into the period

Eric Staal scores the first goal of the game at 0:46

Play continues with the Hurricanes dominating possession and outshooting Florida 8-1 before taking a penalty
Florida has the power play but can't convert and goalie Cam Ward gets some shots to stop in the meantime - Hurricanes still leading 1-0 with 8:55 to play
Hurricanes still controlling the puck in the Panthers zone for most of the period so far as Florida looks sluggish playing in a back-to-back
Drayson Bowman takes a boarding penalty at 3:16 and the Hurricanes are on the PK
So far, Carolina's Pk is effective as Staal and Tlusty bring the puck up and get a SH shot on Theodore
Jokinen and Tlusty plan a solid PK as both teams are at even-strength - still 1-0 for Carolina with 46.4 to go
Hurricanes are outshooting Panthers 14-8 as the horn sounds to end the period

After 1st period: Carolina 1, Florida 0

2nd period:

Florida gets the first shot on goal which Ward stops easily - faceoff coming to his right
Hurricanes continue where they left off during the firs period with possession in the Florida zone for an extended period of time
Carolina still leading 1-0 with 13:47 to go
LaRose-Staal-Tlusty doing the job in effectively forechecking but Florida clears the zone
Hurricanes win the faceoff and Ruutu and Faulk work to get the puck back into the Panthers end with a shot on Theodore - now outshooting Florida 19-10
DYK - Hurricanes are 14-5-7 when leading after the first while Florida is 7-15-6 when trailing after the first period of play
Floridia trying to set up some offensive consistency as Ward has stopped three straight shots - Hurricanes will be on the PK as Tim Gleason goes to the box for hooking at 11:28 left in the period
Tlusty-Staal first out on the PK - Florida misses wide on point shot on Ward
Ward with big save on Marcel Goc and the Hurricanes send the puck down the ice
Pat Dwyer and Brandon Sutter on the PK cause the turnover and Sutter tries the wrapround on Theodore - looks like it went in - under review
After review - no goal - still 1-0 at the 9:36 mark
Ruttu and Skinner bring it up and Ruutu drops it for Pitkanen who slaps one home with 9:05 remaining - 2-0 Carolina
Pitkanen scores his first goal in his first game back - first 30 minutes and 55 seconds
Just as they announce Pitkanen's goal, Fleischmann scores on a rebound that banks off Pitkanen's skate - 2- 1 Hurricanes lead with 7:27 left in the period
Ruutu gets a chance to give Carolina a two-goal lead again but stutters on his stride while Theodore is sprawling but Ruutu can't recover to get a shot on - faceoff coming up to Theodore's right
Strong period as play has picked up at both ends
Florida has narrowed the gap in shots trailing only 27-25 as he period is drawing to a close - Hurricanes still leading 2-1 with 7.1 seconds left
Dwyer comes down the right wing a puts one last shot on Theodore before the period ends - Carolina outshooting Florida 28-25

End of 2nd period: Carolina 2, Florida 1

3rd period:

Third period starts with Florida controlling play for the first two minutes in the Carolina end as Ward comes up with two pad saves
Hurricanes manage to get it down to the Florida end and the Panthers are penalized as Carolina will go on the PP
Hurricane's Tlusty takes a hooking penalty - both teams playing 4-on-4 - Carolina still lead 2-1 with 16:18 to play
Skinner and LaRose gain the zone as Skinner carries it in
As puck gets hung up in slot area, Faulk skates in to join the effort as Skinner take a shot that lands in Theodore's trapper
Faceoff coming up to his left 2-1 still with 13:52 left in the period
Skinner working along the boards draws a Florida penalty for hooking on Jerred Smithson - Carolina on the PP
It only takes Staal a little time to get a pass from Pitkanen to score on a stickless Theodore to put the Hurricanes up 3-1 - a PP goal at 8:14
Shortly after Pitkanen goes to the box for delay of game - Carolina on the PK
Florida gets a few opportunities to set up the offense but can't score on the man-advantage - Hurricanes kill off the penalty successfully
With under 10 minutes to go, both teams continue to battle from end to end
Florida's shots from the point keep getting blocked and when they get through, Ward is there to stop them
Skinner comes down the off-wing and let's a shot go but now before the Panthers' Jason Garrison slashes him
Hurricanes go on the PP again
Carolina with a great sequence as Skinner rings one off the post and then Brent's shot hits Theodore's pad
Teams are back at even strength as Carolina still leads 3-1 with 4:46 remaining in the period
Carolin continues to eat up valuable clock time with puck possession and playing deep in the Panthers' zone
Skinner steals he puck, gains the zone but slips before taking a shot - Florida goes the other way with the puck
As the puck slides in front of the Carolina bench, Skinner is hit hard by Scotty Upshall which cause LaRose to step in to help as Skinner and Upshall
Both Skinner and Upshall go to the box
With two minutes remaining Carolina holding Florida off
Staal shoots but Theodore saves it and then as Skinner comes down on empty net, he misses
Less than a minute to play
Jokinen tries to score but hits the post
Staal then does score the ENG - but time ran out

Final score: Carolina 3, Florida 1

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Thursday, March 15, 2012

In-Game Notes: Carolina Hurricanes vs St. Louis Blues

Ward reaches milestone with 2-0 shutout win over Blues

The Carolina Hurricanes won the third period and the game as they earned a hard-fought 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues at the team’s newly renamed facility, PNC Arena, in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday...

More Carolina Hurricanes news from Examiner.com:

Hurricanes limp home with 4-2 loss to Rangers

The Carolina Hurricanes could only muster a few goals during a 4-2 loss to the NHL's Eastern Conference leaders, the New York Rangers, at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. on Tuesday night.The Hurricanes..

Theodore and Panthers shut out Hurricanes 2-0

The Carolina Hurricanes suffered their first loss in regulation during their current road trip as goaltender Jose Theodore’s 2-0 shutout performance denied them any opportunity to earn any points against the Florida Panthers at BankAtlantic Center in..

In-Game notes:

The Carolina Hurricanes return home to host the St. Louis Blues for the first time after finishing a recent five-game road trip.

The Hurricanes roll out the welcome mat for the Blues at the same time that they unveil their new, but same home ice surface, now known as PNC Arena.

The Blues come into Raleigh with 4-0-1 record in the last five games, including a 4-3 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks while Carolina tries to break a two-game losing streak after suffering a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday

1st period:

Hurricanes start the game off with a strong first minute of play and test St. Louis goaltender Brian Elliott early on
St. Louis gets Cam Ward warmed up as he has to make some big stops early on
Carolina takes a penalty but the penalty-kill is working early on
St. Louis gets a penalty of its own and we're playing four aside
0-0 with 12:52 to go
Chad LaRose tries to get around Carlo Colaiacovo but as he does clips him with his stick - gets four minutes for high-sticking
Ward makes a big pad save on Jamie Langenbrunner and the Hurricanes dump it down the ice
St. Louis tries to gain the zone but the Carolina penalty-kill is working so far
Patrick Berglund takes a shot and then Colaiacovo lets one go as Ward turns away both - less than a minute remaining on LarRose's penalty
Not long after LaRose's penalty ends, the Blues Scott Nichol takes a seat and the Hurricanes are on the PP with 5:19 left in the period
Justin Faulk gets the first shot on Elliott on the PP but the Blues netminder comes up with a big pad save
Second PP unit out for the Hurricanes now - The Finns and LaRose
Jay Harrison takes a shot from the point which LaRose gets a stick on but the play is waived off as the whistle blows before the puck crosses over the goal line - 3:19 to go with no score still
Hurricanes don't convert on the PP opportunity - currently being outshot 12-11 by the Blues with under two minutes to play
Some big hits being handed out by Bryan Allen in the Carolina zone
Play continues into the neutral zone and the horn sounds to end the period

At the end of the period - no score with St. Louis outshooting Carolina 13-12.

2nd period:

Second period starts with a lot of bumping and grinding as the Hurricanes try to slow the Blues break out
Hurricanes getting their chances to score on Elliott but can't finish as Nodl gets a great opportunity to open the game's scoring
Jeff Skinner cant' get open and is elbowed around the head area by Rowan Polak - no penalty called on the play
St. Louis gets a chance but the puck deflects off the post to Ward's left - still 0-0
Play continues to be very chippy as neither team is establishing any clear offensive chances
Hurricanes miss another opportunity as they have the Blues scrambling around their goal area
Ward comes up big with another save as Bryan Allen ties his man up in front of the net
Still scoreless with 6:26 left in the period
Hurricanes try another trap tactic by not pursuing behind the net and St. Louis obliges by not moving the puck - stalemate hockey at its best
Chippy play continues with no calls on either side - a real battle tonight
Both sides looking tired after fighting with the puck in the neutral zone
Ward comes up with big glove save as the score is still 0-0 with 2:56 to play
With under a minute Jeff Skinner gets hit from behind and then gets knocked down with a high hit in open ice - no call but no one from Carolina enforcing it
Hurricanes get penalties on the play afterwards though
Byran Allen sends a 'message' body check to TJ Oshie in open ice with a few more penalties handed out

At the end of two periods, score still 0-0

3rd period:

Both teams with players still in the penalty box playing 4-on-4 to start period
Carolina killing rest of Staal's penalties as St. Louis trying to set up on PP
Big block by Andreas Nodl on point shot w/ less than 30 seconds left to kill penalty
Ward doing what he needs to do - stop the puck
Penalty killed off successfully
Jeff Skinner gets hit up high again and this time St. Louis is called for interference
Carolina gets its best opportunity of the game to take the lead
No go on the last penalty and Drayson Bowman takes a shot coming down the wing and is elbowed while doing so
Another PP for the Hurricanes to try to break the scoreless tie
Elliott continues to deny the Hurricanes any chances of scoring - four straight saves on the first round of the PP
Carolina riding the momentum it has generated and working much harder
Pat Dwyer with the breakaway and he beats Elliott but hits the crossbar and it bounces out
Still 0-0 with 8:13 remaining as both teams recharge during media timeout
Play comes down around the Blues net and Chad LaRose comes around with a bouncing puck that ricochets off a Blue defenseman and over Elliott's shoulder - 1-0 Hurricanes at 12:08 in the period
As play continues after the play, Roman Polak takes another shot at Skinner from behind with no call following
St. Louis trying hard to even the score and keeping Ward busy
Jeff Skinner gets a great pass to score streaking down on Elliott's right but he slows up and take a shot before being ridden out along the boards behind the net by Polak
As the Hurricanes pick the puck up in the neutral zone, Staal carries it in and passes Jokinen whose one-time hits Elliott's pads - Carolina still leads 1-0 with 4:36 to play
Skinner brings it in one more time down the wing and looks to pass it to Ruutu
As the puck gets tied up in his skates while two Blue defenders slide by, he kicks it forward and beats Elliott - 2-0 Carolina with 2:28 remaining
St. Louis still fighting to score on Ward but he will have nothing to do with it - still 2-0
With less than a minute to play Kevin Shattenkirk gets a high-sticking double-minor
As time runs down, Hurricanes win in their new arena

Final score - Carolina 2, St. Louis 0

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Sunday, March 11, 2012

The NHL's March Madness: Under the radar?

Carolina Hurricanes still scrapping for respect near end of season - Chris Baird, Baird Phototgraphy

Carolina Hurricanes and NHL hockey fans, have you caught the 'madness' yet?

There is a lot going on including a resurgence by many teams, including Carolina, in the lower echelons of the standings, who are making some big ripples in the 'frozen pond'.

Are you paying attention or are you getting too distracted with information overload?

As the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Championship Tournament fields will be selected on Sunday and Monday, and with the NHL's schedule entering the 'home stretch' for many teams vying for a playoff spot, how can you keep track of it all?

Load up on your phone apps - great ones are out there to keep track of it all.

At least, that's one way to do it and it DOES work.

Otherwise, keep in touch and read the your NCAA summaries here and follow along with the Carolina Hockey Network for the next three weeks as March Madness on the hardwood and ice converge in the Triangle.

Enjoy!

Recent Carolina Hurricanes news from Examiner.com:

Skinner leads Carolina past Tampa Bay in 4-2 win

The Carolina Hurricanes, led by forward Jeff Skinner, beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 at Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Fla. on Saturday night.Skinner’s two goals along with singles from Jaroslav Spacek and Chad LaRose..

Ward faces another barrage of shots in 3-2 OT loss to Buffalo

The Carolina Hurricanes earned their third point in two road games after losing 3-2 in overtime to the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, N.Y. on Wednesday night.“Three (points) out of four, these two...

Faulk scores OT winner as Carolina beats Washington 4-3

The Carolina Hurricanes won in overtime as defenseman Justin Faulk scored at 3:38 into the extra period to beat the Washington Capitals, 4-3, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday night.The rookie defenseman