Livin’ on a Prayer
Well my friends, are you religious or superstitious? If you are, it’s time to call upon that extra strength for the Hurricanes because the team’s playoff hopes are on virtual life support. Get on your knees, throw salt over your shoulder, bathe yourself in garlic, do “whatever it takes”, that’s the motto! It’s too bad the players forgot about that “whatever it takes” slogan from last year. I’ve noticed that the phrase hasn’t been bantered around lately in commentary by anyone in the Canes organization.
If someone had watched the game last night without knowing anything about the standings, the person would have undoubtedly thought that the Canes were the last place team and the Flyers were the team desperate for a win to qualify for the playoffs. It kind of looked that way to me, and I knew where each team stood! While shots on goal were about even, don’t let that statistic fool you. I love to look at the game’s superstat sheet because that really tells more of the complete story. Looking at last night’s sheet, I see that the Flyers outhit the Canes 20-14 and had 22 blocked shots to the Canes 12. Those are very telling stats. Blocking shots and hitting people, hurts! Most players don’t enjoy that. But that is the dirty work that needs to be done in order to earn wins. The more players on a team that are willing to do that dirty work, the better chance there is for victory. The sad facts are that for the past 2 games, the Hurricanes did not deserve to win because quite simply they didn’t work harder than the other team. It’s a pretty simply game really which normally rewards the more deserving team. The more deserving team certainly won last night, 5-1. One more performance like that on Friday night, and all the playoff drama will probably be over for Caniacs.
So, why are the Hurricanes getting out-worked during games which are so important and when they are supposedly “desperate” for a win? That’s the million dollar question. What motivates them to throw their bodies in front of a puck moving at 100 miles an hour? What motivates them to sacrifice their bodies by throwing them at an opponent? Maybe they are just too tired, mentally and physically? Maybe most of them are looking forward to a longer off-season?
Lord Stanley’s Blog gives the address of a website designed to give the odds of any team making their respective playoffs. It’s called “Sports Club Stats” and according to them, the Canes still have a 24% chance as of right now to make the playoffs. If they can beat Tampa Bay tomorrow night, that moves them up to 39.5%. Those aren’t good percentages if you are a betting man, but there’s still a chance. Have a good Thursday!
Bon Jovi
About the Author: Bubba is a hockey fan/citizen journalist who has always wanted to be a sportswriter and is pursuing his dream. He also writes a Hurricanes blog for 
Hanrahanfan | Mar 29, 2007 | Reply
For the first time this season, really, because they have stunk it up a lot this year. Most notably for me was the home against phoenix. AWFUL. I was uneasy after the slack display last night.(and the night before for that matter). Still I never boo or talk ill of them. Not even in 02-03. In fact, at home games when people in my section are wearing canes gear and ignorantly booing, I yell at or boo back at them obnoxiously. It’s gotten me in a sticky situation or 3 at the RBC. Example: 12/31/06 Forsberg is in the box for 2 right next to me. I don’t know if he looked up at me because i was busy vocally burying this pseudo-fan. But he definately heard as I was yelling right over him. It was kind of funny cause this particular guy really irked me with his comments. &*%@#$ drunks. Actually I am usually pretty tossed as well but I try not to act like a sabre fan ya know. Then he acted like we were gonna meet outside after the game. He dissappeared in the crowd.(probably for the best, as subsequently i would have been arrested and thrown in the drunk tank. Funny canes related story huh? Don’t boo my boys in my section if you have a canes logo on. I need to start one of these pages. I love to run my mouth. Laters
Bubba | Mar 29, 2007 | Reply
I know I have been harsh at times on the team, but obviously I love watching them or I wouldn’t be able to write about them all the time. Personally, I don’t boo them either, but I don’t have a problem when others do. What I don’t understand is the apparent hatred shown by some fans at times.
Bottom line, we got to enjoy something last year that most sports fans only dream about, and nobody can ever take that away from us! But I’m not going to write about last year and forgetting about this year until the Canes are eliminated. Hopefully they can still do some damage before that day comes!
Hanrahanfan | Mar 30, 2007 | Reply
You are definately right about that, witnessing an nhl championship by your very own state home team was one of the most exciting experiences I have ever been privy to. We owe them a lot for that. And they probably do want a long summer. There is a positive that would come out of that. rested and healed. While watching the flyers, my friend and I assigned terms to some of the slack plays. What do you think?
When a player shoots but completely misses the puck- He WIFFED on it.
When a player shoots and it should have been a rocket but barely goes anyplace.- He FLUBBED on it
When a player fires at the net and it is a rocket but misses by a mile- He LERPED it.
Not so sure about that 3rd one but it will do until I think of something better. We are gonna make a whole glossary of new hockey terms southern good ol boy style. and hey, at least you keep it to they are playing lousy. I have never seen you take any personal shots at em. Some people must forget they are humans not robots. Hopefully they have their hockey skates on tonight instead of their figure skating ones. Cause they need to come out swingin.