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Carolina Hurricanes Blogger •
During the Canes brutal and extended winless streak, the team seemed to keep finding new ways to lose games even when winning seemed possible. So Thursday's win felt especially good and deserved to suffering Canes fans. Despite a sloppy effort and too many mistakes, starting at about the midway point of the game, the team just started trudging forward through the mud finding a way to win. Nevermind, the 3 goal deficit. Nevermind, the bad penalty that put them down 2 goals again after climbing within 1. And nevermind the heartbreaking goal against with 29 seconds left to seemingly end the comeback badly. Led by Tuomo Ruutu and Tim Gleason, the team just forged forward through the mess and pulled out a win.
This is why I am a Carolina Hurricanes fan in good times and in bad. I have absolutely no idea if the team will be able to make up the ground lost during the bad streak. And by no means can I guarantee that this team will be playing to get into the playoffs next March. But even in the middle of the difficult times, there are still these games - these games that make it all worth it.
Tuomo Ruutu was a monster tonight. He just consistently did the dirty work that wins hockey games each and every shift for each and every second. He finished checks. He battled for and mostly won pucks on the boards. And after his work paid off with the Canes gaining possession of the puck, he went and fought tooth and nail for the precious ice in front of Gustavsson.
Next time the Canes hit one of those times of self doubt where the team looks to be lacking confidence, watch #15. He is the 1 player who most consistently uses the negative to find a bit of extra jump and physical play. A few games back he managed 2 goals to bring a deflated team back to 2-2. After an abysmal 1st period at home against the Isles last Friday, Ruutu broke the ice and sleeping spell with the 1st goal that propelled the team to overtime and at least 1 point in the standings.
The guy is a night-in, night-out warrior right now when the team needs it.
A few other quick notes:
1) Tim Gleason. He obviously had a HUGE game with 2 goals including the 1st tying goal.
2) Joe Corvo. He is making some strides in the offensive zone looking to shoot the puck more, but he had a rough night of it at the defensive end of the ice with the bad turnover for the 1st goal and then getting undressed 1-on-1 by Ponikarovsky on the 4th Toronto goal.
3) Brandon Sutter. He continues to contribute and look more like a decent 3rd line center than a kid in over his head. When this team gets Staal back, the team will suddenly be much deeper and more solid at center for the 1st time this season. Cullen continues to play good 2-way hockey and when you slot Sutter at #3 and get to choose matchups and ice time a bit, he is fits perfect.
4) Enough of the bad penalties. The margin for error for the Canes is very small right now. Despite some success, they are eeking out points and despite that success, they are still a long run from being anywhere close to #8 in the East. Yet they continue to make things difficult. Friday it was Gleason's 2 minors that led to 2 goals against and a big early hole. Tonight it was Cole's retaliation that almost buried the team.
Tonight's win marks 6 points in a 4-game point streak. Sure it was against mostly other struggling teams. And yes, I realize that none of these games was a blueprint for consistent winning hockey. But when you are trying to climb back from a 14-game winless streak minus a bunch of key players down to injury, you need to focus on what (wins) not how (clawing through some imperfect games).
And on top of that I left the RBC Center happy and entertained and with a Canes win on Thursday night. After the past few weeks, that in itself is enough.
Go Canes!
This is why I am a Carolina Hurricanes fan in good times and in bad. I have absolutely no idea if the team will be able to make up the ground lost during the bad streak. And by no means can I guarantee that this team will be playing to get into the playoffs next March. But even in the middle of the difficult times, there are still these games - these games that make it all worth it.
Tuomo Ruutu was a monster tonight. He just consistently did the dirty work that wins hockey games each and every shift for each and every second. He finished checks. He battled for and mostly won pucks on the boards. And after his work paid off with the Canes gaining possession of the puck, he went and fought tooth and nail for the precious ice in front of Gustavsson.
Next time the Canes hit one of those times of self doubt where the team looks to be lacking confidence, watch #15. He is the 1 player who most consistently uses the negative to find a bit of extra jump and physical play. A few games back he managed 2 goals to bring a deflated team back to 2-2. After an abysmal 1st period at home against the Isles last Friday, Ruutu broke the ice and sleeping spell with the 1st goal that propelled the team to overtime and at least 1 point in the standings.
The guy is a night-in, night-out warrior right now when the team needs it.
A few other quick notes:
1) Tim Gleason. He obviously had a HUGE game with 2 goals including the 1st tying goal.
2) Joe Corvo. He is making some strides in the offensive zone looking to shoot the puck more, but he had a rough night of it at the defensive end of the ice with the bad turnover for the 1st goal and then getting undressed 1-on-1 by Ponikarovsky on the 4th Toronto goal.
3) Brandon Sutter. He continues to contribute and look more like a decent 3rd line center than a kid in over his head. When this team gets Staal back, the team will suddenly be much deeper and more solid at center for the 1st time this season. Cullen continues to play good 2-way hockey and when you slot Sutter at #3 and get to choose matchups and ice time a bit, he is fits perfect.
4) Enough of the bad penalties. The margin for error for the Canes is very small right now. Despite some success, they are eeking out points and despite that success, they are still a long run from being anywhere close to #8 in the East. Yet they continue to make things difficult. Friday it was Gleason's 2 minors that led to 2 goals against and a big early hole. Tonight it was Cole's retaliation that almost buried the team.
Tonight's win marks 6 points in a 4-game point streak. Sure it was against mostly other struggling teams. And yes, I realize that none of these games was a blueprint for consistent winning hockey. But when you are trying to climb back from a 14-game winless streak minus a bunch of key players down to injury, you need to focus on what (wins) not how (clawing through some imperfect games).
And on top of that I left the RBC Center happy and entertained and with a Canes win on Thursday night. After the past few weeks, that in itself is enough.
Go Canes!
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