Box Score

I didn't watch it in HD, but it was a beautiful game nonetheless!  Toronto took a 1-0 lead early on a power play goal, but Justin Williams tied it up about 2 minutes later with a very nice goal where he just plain beat the goalie but lifting the puck up high from about 8' out.  Cory Stillman added a power play goal to take a 2-1 lead and the Canes never looked back.

Toronto played sloppy, and Carolina played aggressive - especially on the power play - sometimes going with the someone unconvential 5 forward lineup.  Matt Cullen added a power play goal in the second period, followed by a full strength goal by Ray Whitney for a 4-1 lead, and the Canes added three more goals by Scott Walker, Jeff Hamilton, and Eric Staal to round out the game.

Toronto's goal was one of those 5-4 goals that was really a 5-3 goal because the 4th skater had just gotten on the ice.  Yet another goal you can't really blame Cam Ward for.

It was good to see Bret Hedican back on the ice (19 minutes) and Cory Stillman too for the first time this season (20 minutes).

A note about Erik Cole - he can't buy a goal right now!  He and Staal had a great 2 on 1 opportunity in the second period (I think) and Cole got off what was practically an empty netter that went off the post.  He had another opportunity earlier in the game on a wide open net but his shot went wide.  He led the team with 5 shots on goal tonight, but just can't seem to light the lamp.  He's looking good otherwise - skating well and such.  I'm sure it'll happen for him.

Next up, the undefeated (4-0) Ottawa Senators on Thursday.  Ottawa is getting great goaltending from one Mr. Martin Gerber who currently has a 1.73 GAA and a .949 save %.  Good numbers,

Gerber.  Where have I heard that name before? =)

GO CANES!

Box Score

I didn't actually throw a hat when Eric Staal scored his third goal of the night.  I wasn't wearing one.  But a lot of people DID throw their hats.  Erik Cole owes every one of those people a new hat!

And he owes Eric Staal a steak dinner or something.

I think it's ironic that last Friday, Staal got a hat trick that the crowd didn't get to celebrate, and last night, the crowd celebrated a hat trick that Staal didn't get.

If you didn't see it, there was a breakaway, with Cole driving towards an empty net.  HE WAS HOOKED, and then he was called for diving.    In the process, he passed the puck to Staal who put the puck in the net.  The horn blew.  The refs didn't immediately wave off the goal.  In fact it was a good 2-3 minutes before we realized that there was no goal.

Cole has a reputation for diving, and he may have done so last night.  But he *WAS* hooked, and there should have been a call against Toronto as well for the hook which led to the dive.

Well, Staal continues to impress, and the Canes continue to win.

Next up, the Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers at home on Saturday.

GO CANES!