I'm Shipping Up To Boston

Well, again playoff hockey has consumed my life. The Carolina Hurricanes have continued their epic run in the playoffs. It seems like each series has taken months, not weeks. Still, here's the series through the eyes of a fan...

The State of Massachusetts

The series began in Boston. There was so much made of how Eric Staal's line would fare against Zdeno Chara and Aaron Ward. There was so much made of how the Bruins had dominated the 'Canes in the regular season, winning all 4 games. Well, Game 1 gave some answers and they weren't good for the 'Canes. Eric Staal was held off the score sheet as Boston cruised to a 4-1 victory. So, of course, all of the prognosticators began to discuss whether Boston would win the series in 4 or 5 games.

Well Game 2 showed that the Hurricanes would not go away quietly. The Hurricanes defense was very stout and Cam Ward was on top of his game. Joe Corvo scored early in the second period and Matt Cullen followed soon after with a shorthanded goal. Eric Staal scored into an empty net to make it a 3-0 final. The series would head to Raleigh even at 1 game apiece.

The Auld Triangle

Game 3 was one of the all-timers and I was there! The lead went back and forth. Boston led 1-0. The 'Canes then scored 2 quick goals (Staal & Samsonov) in the second period to take a 2-1 lead. With the Hurricanes treating the third period like it would be a 20-minute penalty kill, Boston managed to tie it at 2. As the waning minutes of regulation went by, there was a foreboding, a gnawing fear that there would be overtime. It harkened me back to 1999....

{interlude}

It was the first playoff hockey game I had ever attended. The Hurricanes were deadlocked at 2 games apiece against the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 1999 NHL Playoffs. I was a recent college graduate living in G'Vegas. The Hurricanes were playing their home games in the cavernous Greensboro Coliseum while the building that would later be known as the RBC Center was being built. The Hurricanes had such luminaries as Ron Francis (injured), Paul Coffey. Jeff O'Neill, Arturs Irbe, and Steve Chiasson. The teams were tied at 3 at the end of regulation. One of those goals was a slapper by Chiasson. How fitting that my first ever live playoff game went into overtime. It went, through the first overtime and into the second overtime. Martin Gelinas missed a wide open net in the first OT and I still don't know how he did. The game went back and forth until Anson Carter knocked in a rebound for the game winner for Boston. Those of us who were there were devastated. The Hurricanes went on to lose Game 6 and the series. The far bigger loss came early in the morning after Game 6 when Steve Chiasson was killed in a one-car accident. Just goes to show us all how precious life is...

So, I digress. Overtime was a tight-checking back and forth affair. I had gone to the inside-out rally cap with 5 minutes to go in regulation. The teams traded chances and just when I thought a second time was inevitable and that someone on the Bruins would channel Anson Carter and wreck my night, Jussi Jokinen scored off a rebound! That's right, Boston couldn't weeze our Juss!!!! The 'Canes had taken a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4 was just plain fun. The Hurricanes broke open a 1-1 tie in the 3rd period. Who else, but Jussi Jokinen to score the go-ahead goal! Sergei Samsonov scored on a super sweet backhand goal and Eric Staal almost immediately followed up to make it a 4-1 score. The 'Canes led the series 3-1 and seemed to be in control.

Walk Away

Well, the Hurricanes don't know how to do anything the easy way. Boston came out and gave the Hurricanes what for in Game 5. Boston scored twice in the first period and never looked back, cruising to a 4-0 win. The game, however, was most noteworthy for what happened late in the third period. Ex-Hurricane Aaron Ward was doing his best to antagonize the 'Canes. A little shove after the whistle here, a late punch there, a slash with the stick when the ref wasn't looking. With about 3 minutes to go, Ward was giving Matt Cullen the business after the whistle. So, Scott Walker goes over and politely asked Aaron Ward to try that on someone a little closer to his own size. Ward, ever the gamesman, held his arms to his side to try to draw the maximum penalty for Walker. Well, Walker one-punced Ward. I mean, Mike Tyson would have been proud. He dotted Aaron Ward's eye but good.

Of course, the time in between Games 5 and 6 was filled with speculation and gnashing of teeth. Scott Walker's mandatory one-game suspension was rescinded and the Boston-centric media was outraged. Well, I just had a bad feeling about Game 6. Work had me incredibly stressed out and I was sick to boot. I was late leaving work and it completely messed up my pre-game routine. I'd list it all, but it would extend this blog to a War and Peace-type length. Anyways, the Hurricanes PA announcer invoked the "Nobody Sits Tonight" mantra that was part of the mystique of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 win over Edmonton. Literally, noone in the crowd sat during the game action. Well, 5 minutes into this game, there were people sitting because Boston was up 2-0 at that point. The Hurricanes fought back but wound up losing 4-1. The stage was set for a decisive Game 7 in Boston and Mr. Mo(mentum) was wearing Bruins colors.

The Warrior's Code

For Game 7, we went to Ruckus Pizza in Cary, one of our favorite places to hang out, enjoy good food and drinks, and play trivia. Boston struck first after the refs missed 2 calls that both went in the Bruins' favor on a missed too many men on the ice call and an icing call that should not have been made. Late in the first period, Dennis Seidenberg let loose a slap shot from the point that was tipped in by Rod Brind'Amour. The Captain had scored his first playoff goal. The 'Canes began to play the game a little more their style, a fast-paced skating type of game, rather than fall into the Bruins' style of chippy, grind-it out hockey.

Sergei Samsonov scored almost halfway though the second period to make it 2-1, good guys. The Hurricanes really controlled the pace, but Bruins goalie Tim Thomas (the likely Vezina Trophy winner as NHL's top goalie) kept it a 1-goal game. So, of course, the 'Canes come out in the third period in a defensive shell. Like in Game 3, Boston scored fairly early in the period, with Milan Lucic putting in a rebound to tie it at 2. At that point things got even more tense. I mean, each team's season was in the balance on each rush up the ice. There were no penalties in the third period. The winner would have to be scored at even strength. Time went on and it would turn out that sixty minutes would not be enough to determine a winner.

Game 7, overtime. There is not a more pressure-packed phrase in all of sports. An entire season for players, coaches, front-office personnel, families, and fans would be decided on the next goal. Who would be the hero? Would there be a bad pass or dumb penalty that would lead to the goal that would end the season? But first, before overtime, there was a more pressing matter, I had no rally cap. That's right, I was at the restaurant with no hat to speak of. I could not go inside out. I could not turn my hat backwards. I couldn't even go for "the Shark". So, I improvised. I got one of my beads (one of my many superstitions that I did not list and yes, I did earn the beads) and draped it over my ears so it looked like a headband. I'm sure I looked ridiculous. Now, back to the game...

Overtime had started. I was nervous. We were all nervous. Play started and chances were traded back and forth. Both teams used their timeouts to rest tired players after icing calls. About 5 minutes into overtime, I began to pace back and forth. Luckily, by that point, the restaurant wasn't full and everyone there was watching the game. The Hurricanes were at one point down to two centers. Rod Brind'Amour was injured by an errant puck and Jussi Jokinen had a skate problem. Both teams were tired, spent, pooped, you get the picture. With about 5 minutes left in the first overtime period, the Hurricanes began to get the better of the play. With about 2 minutes left, Ray Whitney (the Wizard!) took the puck up the right wing and went to the net. He let a hard wrist shot go that was stopped by Tim Thomas. The rebound was knocked out of the air and into the net by.... SCOTT WALKER! That's right, the man who knocked Aaron Ward down to protect his teammate had knocked the Bruins out of the series and got the Hurricanes a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. It also turns out that Walker had found out during the series that his wife had a treatable type of cervical cancer. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster....

Well, after the game we went to the airport to greet the team like we did after Game 7 of the Jersey series. Good times were had by all. Luckily, I didn't have to work the next day. Next up is Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It'll be another tough series and if it takes 7 games and OT for the 'Canes to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, then I'll gladly accept that.

More hockey mega-blogs to come, hopefully.....

Believe It!

Finns to the Left.... Finns to the Right...

Long time, no post...

It's been a fun last couple of weeks. It's been the return of a phenomenon not seen since the halcyon days of 2006, playoff hockey! The Hurricanes took on their playoff nemesis, the New Jersey Devils in what was to be a series for the ages. The teams previously met in 2001 (Devils won in 6), 2002 (Hurricanes won in 6), and 2006 (Hurricanes won in 5).

Cheeseburgers in Paradise

First, however, was a tailgating event for the ages. We're talking good food, drinks, and NC State sports from 9:30 am-9:30 pm. We went to Carter-Finley Stadium for the NC State spring football game. The game was fun and the tailgating was more fun. Russell Wilson and Mike Glennon looked good. Some of the young players on defense impressed and Owen Spencer even caught a pass! After the game, the fans were allowed on the field as the Carter-Finley Stadium turf was due to be replaced. All that being said, by far the most important statistic of the day was the nearly $30,000 that was raised for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Kudos to the coaching staff and all involved.

After some post-game tailgating, we left for Doak Field to watch the NC State baseball team take on Florida State. This hasn't been the greatest season for the Wolfpack baseball team and that day was no different, with a 7th inning grand slam leading the 'Noles to a 4-2 win over the 'Pack.

One Particular Harbor

The next day brought the return of playoff hockey to the Triangle. After splitting the first two games in New Jersey (a 4-1 Devils win and a 2-1 win for the Hurricanes in OT), the series came to Raleigh. Game 3 was a barn burner. After an afternoon full of tailgating, it was game time. The game embodied all that makes playoff hockey as awesome as it is. The game was a back and forth affair with the Devils going ahead 1-0 and 2-1. Each time, the Hurricanes fought back and scored to even it up, with the unheralded Ryan Bayda and the scrappy Chad LaRose lighting the lamp for the 'Canes. At the end of regulation, the score was tied at 2.

There is nothing like playoff overtime hockey. The tension is so thick you could... well, you get the picture. In 2001, the 'Canes won Game 4 in OT on a Rod Brind'Amour goal at the RBC Center (I was there). In 2002, the 'Canes won Games 2 (Bates Battaglia) and 5 (Josef Vasicek) in OT at the RBC Center (I was there!). In 2006, the 'Canes won Game 2 (The Secret Weapon, Niclas Wallin) in OT at the RBC Center (alas, I was not there). So the Hurricanes had history on their side. Well, Travis Zajac put in a rebound about 5 minutes into OT to take the air out of the building and give New Jersey a 3-2 win and a 2-1 series lead. Needless to say, we were all a bit disconsolate on the way back to our vehicles.

Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season

Two days later was Game 4. This game was special as it was Dawn's first NHL playoff game. It was also the playoff debut of the matching "Morgan" Hurricanes jerseys that I had bought us as a wedding present (yes, I got her something completely non-sports related as well). I had worn my Brind'Amour road jersey to Game 3 and figured the team needed a shift in mojo (like they know what I'm wearing). I was able to get extra tickets for us in Section 328 near the rest of the crew. The game started off well as Eric Staal and Ryan Bayda scored in the first period for the 'Canes. Chad LaRose scored early in the second period to make it 3-0 good guys. Well, then the wheels fell off. Brian Gionta scored late in the second to make it 3-1 and the momentum began to swing back to the Devils. The Hurricanes came out flat in the third and the Devils pounced. Brendan Shanahan (a former Whaler) and David Clarkson scored to even the score with more than half of the third period to go.

It was at this point that I went to the rally cap. I've been wearing my camo Hurricanes hat to the games and figured a little inside out rally cap is just what they needed. So, of course, the Hurricanes do nothing. They were a still a bit off, but it appeared that they would at least do enough to force another overtime game, albeit an overtime where all of the momentum was in Newe Jersey's favor. As the waning seconds of the game were ticking away, the 'Canes had the puck in the Jersey zone. Joni Pitkanen waited for what seemed like an eternity. As the entire RBC Center crowd yelled, "Shoot!", he.... passed it over to Dennis Seidenberg who let loose a slap shot. As I glanced up at the clock, I saw the "1" on the seconds display go to zero. At that point, I saw the puck in the net and heard the thunderous roar of the crowd. It was a goal! But was it in time. I tried to temper my celebration waiting for the review. I mean, how could it have gone in before time expired? The referee finished conferring with the video replay officials in Toronto and signalled.... GOAL! Jussi Jokinen had tipped in the shot with 0.2 seconds left. It was the latest a goal had ever been scored in a regulation game in the postseason. After the game, I was nuts, high fiving everyone I could, even one real a-hole of a fan who sits in our section, but I digress. I was so happy Dawn was able to see a win in her first playoff game. Who knew she'd be a witness to history?

Wasting Away Again...

Thursday was Game 5, in New Jersey. It was also the night of the Jimmy Buffett concert in Raleigh. I was able to obtain tickets for the concert as Dawn is a big-time Buffett fan. It was also Dawn's birthday, so it was only appropriate that we went. We met up with a couple friends for a mini-tailgate before the show and waited through the interminably long line to get in. Now for the disclaimer, I'm not a huge Buffett fan. I've never been big on the "I love the islands, I'm a beach bum" type of music. Maybe living in Key West gave me a contrarian outlook. Who knows? But still, I had a good time at the concert, even if I didn't know half of the songs. Buffett seemed like he was having fun and the crowd did as well. I'll sum the concert up this way, white people love Jimmy Buffett even more that they love Huey Lewis and the News.

While the concert was fun and my favorite person in the world seemed to enjoy her night, things fared a little worse for the 'Canes. New Jersey won 1-0 in an epic duel of goaltenders. Martin Brodeur made 44 saves in the win and Cam Ward made 41 saves. It was the most combined saves ever in a 1-0 playoff game. This put the Hurricanes in a must-win situation for Game 6 in Raleigh on Sunday.

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

Game 6 was a must win and the Hurricanes played like it.The team peppered Brodeur with shots early, but, as in Game 5, Brodeur was a brick wall. But then, an amazing goal happened, compliments of Dawn's favorite player, the Wizard, Ray Whitney. Eric Staal took a shot that bounced off the back boards. Chad LaRose shot the rebound towards the goal, but it hit a stick or a body and fluttered in mid-air. Whitney then batted it out of the air line-drive style and into the back of the net. The crowd went wild! Eric Staal then took the game over, scoring two second period goals, both with assists from the Wizard. Jussi Jokinen finished the scoring with a 5-on-3 goal in the third period for a 4-0 shutout. Cam Ward kept the Devils at bay offensively throughout the game. The crowd was at full voice throughout the game, exhorting the 'Canes on, knowing that it could be the last time they'd see hockey at the RBC Center this season. The 'Canes had to win Game 7... in enemy territory.

When the Volcano Blows

Game 7 in the NHL playoffs, there's jsut nothing like it. As I was exiled in Charlotte for the 2006 playoff run, I wasn't able to go to either Game 7 that the Hurricanes played in. Those games were both at home and this one was on the road. The Hurricanes had never played a Game 7 on the road since they moved from Hartford. The Whalers had never won a Game 7 in their history, either. All of the commentators were forecasting a low-scoring, tight-checking game reminiscent of the 1-0 Game 5. I flippantly remarked to Dawn and Ron on the way over to watch the game, "Watch the score be 4-3...".

Dawn, Ron, and I, along with Phillip and his wife, Jane, watched the game from the Village Draft House. The game started off with a bang, with Tuomo Ruutu (RUUUUUU!) scoring on an off-angle wrist shot. 1-0 good guys. Well, make that 1-1, as Jamie Langenbrunner almost immediately tied up the game. Later in the period, New Jersey took a 2-1 lead when the 'Canes gave up a bad 2-on-1 and Jay Pandolfo scored to make it 2-1 Jersey. Once the second period started, the Hurricanes applied pressure early. This bore fruit when Ray Whitney scored his third goal of the series. Of course, this made us very happy as Dawn and I were each wearing Ray Whitney Hurricanes shirts (mine was red and hers was black). Not too long after that, the Hurricanes took a penalty and the Devils converted the power play with Brian Rolston scoring the goal.

The rest of the second period was a back-and-forth blur. The Hurricanes had about a minute of 5-on-3 advantage but failed to score. The Devils had a 4 minute power play due to a Tim Gleason high sticking penalty. Thankfully, Cam Ward was able to keep it a one goal game. For the 'Canes, the third period could be described in one word, desperate. They really began to stretch out and go all out for the tying goal, knowing that if they didn't score, the game and their season was over. This offensive attack, however, left the 'Canes open to Jersey's counterattack. Cam Ward stopped multiple odd-man rushes, maintaining the one-goal deficit. As the clock ticked down, we kept waiting, waiting for something to happen, for someone on the 'Canes to be a hero... 5 minutes to go... nothing. 3 minutes to go... nothing. 2 minutes to go.... nothing.

The 'Canes had possession inside the Devils' zone with a little under 2 minutes. One of the forwards had the puck down low and passed it up to the point. Tim Gleason made a sliding stop and managed to shovel the puck over to Joni Pitkanen. Pitkanen then made a cross-ice pass directly to the stick of Jussi Jokinen who snapped the shot past Brodeur for a 3-3 tie! New Jersey couldn't weaze our Juss!!!! (That's a really bad Encino Man reference. Seriously, go watch the movie, you'll understand then). The Hurricanes had tied it up with 1:20 to go. At that point everyone was thinking, "well, this series has been so close, it's only fitting that Game 7 goes to overtime.". Well, with less than 40 seconds to go, Eric Staal took a feed from Chad LaRose up the right wing and let loose a wrist shot that went under Martin Brodeur's arm and in the net for a 4-3 lead. It was an improbable, nay, even impossible turn of events. The Hurricanes had scored 2 goals in the final minute and a half of a Game 7, on the road, against one of the greatest goalies in NHL history to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat (CLICHE ALERT!!!!).

After the game, Ron and I went to the airport to greet the team as they arrived back from New Jersey. While this was probably a creepy fanboy type of thing, it was the type of thing I couldn't do in 2002 or 2006 and it was pretty cool to see all of the 'Canes fans out there.

Wow, what a game, what a series, and what a week (and a half)! I got to go to a football game, a baseball game, a concert, and 3 playoff hockey games. I got to spend time with great friends and the love of my life. Not bad, says I....

Next up are the Easter Conference's #1 seed, the Boston Bruins. They're a great team, so the 'Canes have their work cut out for them. So now the Hurricanes are shipping up to Boston.... to find a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals!

Believe It!

C'mon, C'mon, C'mon ,Let's Go....

Let's Go Canes!

The 'Canes pulled one out of their hat by beating the NHL-best San Jose Sharks in a shootout last night. As the game started at 10:30 pm, I went to bed and watched the 3rd period this morning. Of course, I didn't set the DVR to record over, so I missed the OT and shootout. At least I was able to catch up thanks to the wonders of the NHL Network.

This will be a big sports week. Dawn and I are roadtripping to Winston-Salem to see Wake play BC on Sunday. Wake really needs a win and hopefully they can pull one off. On Wednesday night, State and Wake play at the RBC Center. Speaking of really needing a win, your 2009 Wolfpack basketball team! Thursday and Saturday are Hurricanes home games. Hopefully the 'Canes can build off the win over the Sharks. Be warned, if anyone gets in my way of the Valentine's Day promotional t-shirt sale, there will be a reckoning. I was denied last year, not this year.

Week 2 of the 4-day work week means it's at Friday and I'm....at....work.

Believe It!

It's Been Too Long I'm Glad To Be Back

Yes, I still have a blog!

It's been a long time, I know. Here's a brief recap of what's transpired since we last talked (in chronological order)...

• My laptop was stolen in Vancouver.
• I went to two football games in the same day, in the cold (nearly freezing) rain... and I loved every minute of it.
• I had three Christmases and went to two bowl games.
• I saw a hockey coach (Peter Laviolette) fired and replaced by the guy (Paul Maurice) who was fired in order to hire him.
• I saw State win a basketball game at home in OT and lose a second half lead to Duke at Cameron.
• I've finished in the top 10 of NTN trivia nationally.... twice.
• I've watched lots of bad hockey and bad basketball and seen the Panthers epic choke in the playoffs. Sports are fun, kids! Still, I have the '06 Stanley Cup to hold on to and as for State, er, uh, next topic.

But the best and most memorable thing is that I got married to a wonderfully awesome woman who is by far the best thing to ever happen to me. So watching State basketball get pummeled is a good bit more tolerable with her around....

Believe It!

For Whom The Bell Tolls

or, it's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine). That's right, this blog deserves not one, but two lyrics! I've always known I would write this blog as this page in all of its incarnations has been a great outlet for me to voice thoughts that I may not have been able to verbalize.

In about 5 hours, I'll be taking that last walk down the aisle as a single man. That's right, I'm blogging on my wedding day. Dawn and I have always communicated to each other through our blogs, either intentionally or not. What can I say on a day like today, though? What can I say in this medium to the person who means so much to me?

Really, there's not much I can say, only that she's my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.

So, time marches on and my life as a bachelor nears its end; and no, Lenny Bruce is not afraid.....

Believe It!

I Can't Live Without My Radio

I was driving home from work tonight after a looooong day at the office. Here are a few lyrics that stuck with me for various reasons. It's always interesting to see what sticks in my head in times like that when I'm more on autopilot than anything else...

"See me ride out of that sunset on your color TV screen" - AC/DC, "T.N.T."

"I fiddle when I can, I work when I should" - John Denver, "Thank God I'm A Country Boy"

"I've been waiting for this moment for all my life" - Phil Collins, "In The Air Tonight"

"Carry On My Wayward Son" by Kansas also came on, but all I could think about was the South Park Guitar Hero episode, lol.

For the record, the John Denver came on the Sirius 70s channel after the Kansas song, so it's not like I was frequenting the folk stations... ;)

I'll post again this year sometime.....

Believe It!

Ed's Thought for the Day - 9/2/08

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
- Robert Collier