Ducks at Canes Preview
The Anaheim Ducks, (13-8-3) are in Raleigh to take on the Hurricanes, (12-10-2) tonight in yet another Sunday contest at the RBC. The game marks the 5th straight Sunday the Canes will play at home, with one more to go next week against Washington.
The Hurricanes have lost three of their last four, winning their last game in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon. The Ducks have won three in a row, coming off a shutout of Chicago on Friday. The Canes are 6-6 at home while the Ducks are 6-2-1 away.
While Patrick Eaves and Frank Kaberle left the ranks of the injured and rejoined their teammates on the ice on Friday, Dennis Seidenberg tweaked a groin and joined Scott Walker, Tim Gleason, and Justin Williams on the sidelines.
Carolina’s powerplay has dropped to 29th in the league at 13.4% efficiency while Anaheim is 8th at 21%. Both team’s penalty kill units are performing at about 81% each.
The game will mark the first appearance for Bret Hedican at the RBC since he decided to leave the Hurricanes organization during the offseason. Hedican spent 6 seasons with the Canes and was a big part of the blueline success during the two Stanley Cup runs in 2002 and 2006.
The defenseman had nothing but good to say about his time in North Carolina in a recent interview for the OC Register’s Duck’s Blog. Here are a few of his best quotes-
“There’s a lot of emotion going into that game,” Hedican said. “It’s just like anybody leaving this organization after winning the Stanley Cup … I think when you have trust in an organization, a team, you develop a lot of friendships, a lot of bonds there that are going to last forever.”
“I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from fans there. They’ve always been good to my wife and my kids. I have nothing bad to say about Carolina. It was just one of those situations where I think I’ve got kids old enough to move back West and get them in school. There’s no hard feelings.”
“I still have a ways to go,” he said. “I’m still not feeling like I’m the player I should be … I’m trying to contribute right now while I’m going through the growing pains of getting back into it.”
For more information, Chip Alexander interviewed Hedican at the Rec Zone this morning after the Ducks pregame skate. (Yes, other teams are continuing the tradition of pregame skates)
Expect soft, choppy ice because NC State will playing a basketball game starting at 2 and the change crew will be hustling to complete the arena makeover before 6.
The game starts at 7 and will not be televised locally. I will check in here at points during the game and between periods to leave updates.
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 
Paladin6 | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
The ice is gonna suck bigtime!!
Keep your heads up, these guys are wanting to make a statement and use the ‘Canes as paper.
Keep an eye on Ruutu, I think he may have something to say tonight, it should be painful and puncuate his feelings.
Also if Cullen keeps going we may have a fast, gifted goal scorer show up.
Then again they may just suck.
Who knows??
A
neaux | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
I got Hedican to sign my son’s Hurricane Jersey before the skate and he was more than eager to do so. Very nice guy.
Eman | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
This is one of those times when I wished that Wolfpack B-Ball would play at Reynolds Coliseum. That being when the Hurricanes are at home the same game day as the Wolfpack. Five games are at Reynolds this year, the student body and the team both wanted that very much so why not a few more?? I hate games on bad ice. I look for a lot of funny bounces late in each period tonight.
Great to have Hedican back in town-wonder if he has the family in tow?? My wife and I sat a row up from Kristi during a game and she is a doll! Very nice, didn’t give us the high hat, knows the game and can cut up in good form. She even gave us an autograph for our daughter. I hope Anaheim can appreciate these fine folks. I understand the reasons they left and never fault anyone for doing whats best for their families.
Paladin6 | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
I made a comment when they won the cup that Hed’s wife could out skate them all, just couldn’t check for squat.
I understand, too, just wish they would of stayed. They did ALOT off the ice and are very nice folks.
I hate the fact he is with pronger’s team. pronger and premeau are my least favorite players. I didn’t even like premeau when he was with the Wings, not to mention the boning we got from him and pronger is just pronger.
Anyway, should be a neat game if our guys show up. I think the chicago boys may have tired them a bit (I hope)..
Anyway
GO ‘CANES!!!!!!!
A
Eman | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Too true Paladin. I recall the days of yore’ when we had a ‘Primeau-donna’ (Don’t say it-I know it’s bad) and of course once a tool always a tool and Pronger is still Pronger he’s just in a different box. Couldn’t agree more regarding the regrettable mixing of quality in Hedican against that of Pronger at least we knew why Hedican left the Canes. I still haven’t heard if Edmonton really knows why Pronger left for Anaheim. But we all know that he saddled his move on his wife. Wonder if she knew about the move ahead of time?? One things for sure…he’ll never wear Copper and Blue again. Here’s to my guess for the penalty points- that Brookbank rings Pronger’s bell with no look haymaker. I can appreciate an early Xmas gift!! GO CANES!!
Ken | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Brett Hedican is simply not very good. During the cup run he turned the puck over at least 12 times to two for Wesley in the playoffs. We miss Wesley not that chump.
Justin Walther | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
I’m at the game…looks like it will be about 1/3 empty. Guys looked pretty loose in warmups. Plenty of chatiness with hedican when he came near the redline.
Eman | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Ken,
If you want to post about guys we miss from the 06 crew my vote goes to Aaron Ward. Take a concussion on ice go into the dressing room to hurl/shake it off then back to the ice. It’s that kind of grit that I miss and so does this team. While yes, Wesley is missed as most senior D men are, this D crew is developing and I see some glances as to what they will be. Our blue line numbers are much improved from last season. Which after the off season trades and free agent shuffles-additions to the blue line showing promise this soon is positive. I’ll take it.
TylerA | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
hey I cant get the stream from Atdhe.net to work….anyone know whats up or where I can get it?
THANKS
Eman | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
No-must not be running the game despite it being listed as covered. After a brief search the site originates in the Netherlands and is immune from any copyright infringement stuffs-primarily in Canada and the US. The Oilers-Stars game is working fine so I’m at a loss on the Canes game which sucks. But I’m still working on it.
TylerA | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
me too, keep me posted if you can find it, and I’ll do the same
Justin Walther | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Pretty even first period. Turnover by Melichar led to the sucks goal. Excellent hustle by the whole Cullen line won our goal. Tight checking the rest of the period despite the relatively high shot count of 13-10 Anaheim. Home team looks decent overall.
Bubba | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
I agree Justin, pretty even 1st period.
Staal’s line has 3 minutes of ice time in the 1st. Brindy and Cullen have 6 minutes each. Could be saving their legs for the 3rd. (2 penalty kills also a factor)
Interestingly enough, Kaberle leads defensemen with over 9 minutes of ice time. Pitkanen with 7:41 and Corvo with 7.
By the way, no streaming for this one since neither team picked up the game.
Bubba | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Change in net…Leighton now is in for Carolina. No reason why as of yet. Ward is not on the bench.
TylerA | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
yea this games not on in Anaheim either, surely thats why the streams dont work
Bubba | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Ward now on the bench, still no word up here about the change. Lots of good action in the Ducks zone.
Justin Walther | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Ward out for some reason…didn’t start the 2nd period. Canes dominating so far keeping constant pressure on. At least 1 post rung and several close opportunities.
A.M. Davis | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
WOW!! I am cancelling Center Ice tomorrow. How could you have kept this tidbit so long.
I worked hard all day just so I could sit and watch the game and it’s not on.
I’ts not being broadcast in Anaheim either so I agree with TylerA.
You know the NHL is taping the game or how else could they do reviews. I don’t get why they can’t put the game on Center Ice even if it is without a comentator. I don’t get this people. Starting tomorrow, they won’t be getting my money either. This is the second time (that I know of that this happens) and please, don’t tell me to quit whining and go to the game. It’s a two hour drive for me.
TylerA, thanks for mentioning this great find.
ag
Bubba | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Just got word, Ward with lower body injury.
Justin Walther | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Pretty pathetic powerless play. Would have been better to turn it down to keep momentum.
Justin Walther | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Another period where the canes totally dominated but failed to score. These worry me. The hustle was there though. Leighton was never challenged.
Ken | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Eman,
Yes Ward was great that year. He was a force out there. We don’t have one guy with that kind of grit now. I think if you asked JR about not resigning him, he may say that he wished he had. I am sure Aaron would say the same.
Just think Hedican is really overrated. Kristy is wearing the hockey pants in that family.
LoL
Bubba | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
You’re right Justin, Canes pretty much dominated that period. Outshot Ducks 17-3. Two PP chances for naught though.
Eaves leads the team with 3 hits so far. Has had a couple of nice shots as well that went off of Hiller up high.
Justin Walther | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
That’s why those periods scare me. A tip by selane then a hustle power move and leighton deep in the net leads to another quick goal.
Bubba | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Ducks take advantage of borderline penalties to take lead. Then take 2 goal lead.
Justin Walther | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
And that folks is how you capitalize on scoring chances. We won’t ever win a game only scoring 1 goal. We had plenty of opportunities, especially in the second period but couldn’t put it in the back of the net. The ducks did and won. Period.
Matt | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
This is getting ridiculous. The Canes are really irritating me. I was going to try and write something of value, but, I am too upset to continue writing… Cmon Canes!
Bubba | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
Canes were not happy about the penalties called for the 5-3. Feel the game changed after that. Whitney said the calls were “marginal”
Ward’s injury is not expected to be serious, (muscle pull?), he will be monitored.
As Justin said, Ducks took advantage of opportunities, Canes did not.
Andrea | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
On the bright side: That was a pretty solid effort, for the most part (there was a little bit of power(less) play at some point). Actually, now that I think of it… there was an AWFUL lot of dump and chase on the power play. It needs to stop.
But rather than get upset about it, I will re-live my favourite moment in the game: Leighton’s ‘The puck is somewhere underneath me - I will now lay on my back and pretend I am a plank’ move.
Mateo | Dec 1, 2008 | Reply
I was slightly disappointed that our fans didn’t acknowledge Hedican more than they did… While he was here he quietly went about his business and was always solid… he was injured a few times, but that comes w/ the game. What a classy guy! I hope he does well…