Closing Time
No, the blog is not closing, but it kind of feels like closing time doesn’t it? The fat lady sang last night and the Carolina Hurricanes were officially eliminated from making the playoffs by the Tampa Bay Lightning, 3-2.
The Stanley Cup Champs will no longer be defending the Stanley Cup. It’s disappointing of course, but at this point it’s not surprising. Carolina has been extremely consistent at being inconsistent all year long. The team has looked tired on more nights than not and looked totally gassed in the 3rd period again last night. After jumping to a 2-0 lead and taking a 2-1 lead into the third period, the Canes kind of sat back on their heels and watched as the Lightning scored 2 consecutive goals to take the lead and the game. The last goal was especially frustrating for Caniacs to watch as Dan Boyle skated around 3 Canes like they were pylons and rifled an open shot past Cam Ward for the game winner. To their credit, the boys never gave up and put on a valiant attempt to tie the game in the final 2 minutes, but it was too little too late. The Lightning completed another come from behind victory against the Canes and almost guaranteed themselves a chance to play for Lord Stanley’s hardware next week.
Of course Caniacs still have 2 more home games to enjoy this weekend, Friday night against Atlanta and then Saturday night versus the Panthers. This is being touted as “fan appreciation weekend” and there will be posters handed out Friday and hats on Saturday, and you know what happens whenever they give out free hats! They will also be doing the annual “jersey off my back” give-away and will be awarding a free truck to some lucky Caniac! I’ll be keeping this blog active, I’ve enjoyed it too much to slow down now so please keep visiting even after the Canes are finished this weekend. We’ll start with the rebuilding ideas and we’ll examine what went wrong, as well as what went right, starting next week. In the meantime if you feel down, just pop in the DVD of the Stanley Cup finals from last year and you’ll be charged up and ready to cheer again Friday night. Happy hump day and go Canes!
Semisonic
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 
biggie | Apr 4, 2007 | Reply
I am already sick of reading crap posted by idiot sabres fans. Not on here, but on other boards I read. Cup evey is a beeeeaaaatch I guess? Man, it is going to be a looooooonnnng spring and summer.
Scott | Apr 4, 2007 | Reply
What went wrong? I dunno- lots of things. I do know that I heard a great deal last year about how great the team bonded and how everybody was on the same page- how great the locker room atmosphere was. This year? I don’t ever remember hearing a word about t. Canes went through the same type team building exercises, had the dad’s weekend etc. But not once did anybody say how great the locker room was. Is the Hedican v. Adams tiff evidence that the locker room wasn’t what it was last year? I dunno. But some people never seemed to fit in this year- Bellanger, Carter- maybe to a lessr extent Letowski?
If it is a problem, let’s hope Lavy and JR will address it over the summer.
Dustin Lammers | Apr 4, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for all the good reads this season Bubba. It was a tough season, but I agree the team was so inconsistent it would likely have lead to a disappointed playoff run. The pieces of the puzzle are still in place, we just need to get some additions. It’ll be a long off-season. I hope it’s anyone but the Sabres who win the Cup as well.
josh | Apr 4, 2007 | Reply
Yeah, it kind of sucks now because my wife will be expecting me to be pulling for Buffalo in their post season run. I say, “Hell no Buffalo”!!! I don’t care if I have to support the San Jose Sharks througout the playoffs. Rather than that I think after Saturday’s game I’ll be retiring my NHL fandom until next October. I want those 4 games back and hope to see a first round exit by the Sabres. Anyways…thanks for the work on the blog as it has been extremely infomative and enjoyable to follow all season.
Josh
WufPirate | Apr 4, 2007 | Reply
Dear Buffalo Sabres fans:
The Buffalo Bills have won as many Super Bowls as the Sabres have won Stanley Cups.
Magnolia_mer | Apr 4, 2007 | Reply
Bubba - you ROCK! Thanks for everything this season. Keep the faith.
Bubba | Apr 5, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for the comments all!