Thursday’s game in Calgary had very much the same feel as the loss on Monday in Vancouver. Fortunately, the results were somewhat better with an overtime loss, a point in the standings and another night in 3rd place in the Metro Division. Especially from the Canes side, the game played like a slog through the mud for 2 periods with very little in terms of offensive chances. The Canes mounted a 3rd period surge that was good enough for a point and could easily have been good enough for 2 had Ramo not been strong down the stretch.
So paint it how you choose:
--The Canes played another Western Conference bottom dweller and because of their inability to find the higher gear for more than 20 minutes left a point on the table.
--The Canes got a decent point on the road in a game that did not go their way when it could have. The Canes had 2 posts and a number of chances that easily could have netted the 2nd goal in the 3rd period.
A few quick game notes:
--Justin Peters. He would probably want the 1 goal back, but on the whole he was very good again. Calgary was the better team through 2 periods. Peters gave them only 1 and kept the Canes in the game long enough to eek out the single goal needed to get to overtime at least.
--Jeff Skinner. His ability to score from anywhere in the offensive zone is incredible right now. Most of the goals he is scoring are NOT prime scoring chances. Between his ability to shoot from contortionist-like body positions, his quick release and the velocity, his shot just gets to the net a split second before it should be possible which is what it takes to beat NHL goalies.
--Tuomo Ruutu. He continues to play well and made the pass on the Skinner goal.
--Andrej Sekera. He must have made 7-8 great defensive plays which with Peters’ play was enough to turn a single goal into a point in the standings.
--Credit to Calgary and Ramo late. I do not see Calgary play too often, but I was incredibly impressed with their compete level. They just worked and worked and worked. Ramo was real good in the 3rd period and overtime. He was the only reason that the Canes did not run past the Flames in the 3rd period once they got going.
The Canes did get some help in the standings. The Rangers lost which made 1 points enough to keep the #3 spot in the Metro Division and another Leafs loss has pulled the 2nd Eastern Conference playoff spot within 2 points of the Canes reach in case they need to go that route instead.
The mediocre results in the 2 seemingly more winnable games in Edmonton and Calgary amp up the pressure a bit for the road trip finale in Phoenix on Saturday night. A win makes the week and the road trip right with 4 points in 4 games. A loss leaves the Canes at 0-2-2 for the week which is not disastrous but is disappointing and the taking in water version of treading water.
Twitter=@CarolinaMatt63
Go Canes!
Matt on Google+ 
Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»