Friday, April 6, 2007
FlukeCanes Again?
Both of Carolina's runs to the finals were gilded with unusual luck.
In 2002 they got the best of a vastly depleted by freakish injuries Devils squad. That series featured Kevin Weekes coming out of nowhere to steal the last two games. They turned the following series against the Habs around by scoring on a PP caused by an unforced error: a taunting penality against the Habs' coach.
In their Cup year they got past the Habs again largely aided by a suspicious stick to the eye of Saku Koivu. That series, and the rest of the playoffs, featured Cam Ward coming out of nowhere to steal several games and the Conn Smythe. Key injuries to the Buffalo defense in the conference finals and Dwayne Roloson in the Finals may have made the ultiamte difference in those seven-games series'.
I believe the Canes' continuous luck was more than random. Rob Brind'amour is one of the most underrated players in the league. It wouldn't surpirse me if he managed to spur Weekes and Ward to play over their heads. If you refuse to die for long enough in hockey the bounces, like a stupid taunting penalty to the opposition's coach, can turn your way.
The Canes are now just the second team in the modern era to miss the playoffs in their Cup defense year. The 1996 Devils were the first (I believe there is an asterisk to that one, in that they had the shortest off season in NHL history becuase the playoffs were delayed due to the 1995 lock out). The Canes lost Reechi, Weight, Cullen and Ward; basically an entire line and a key defenseman. That is a lot and even though Weight and Reechi were rentals they were leaned onheavily in the playoffs. Ultimately, Ward's coach turned back into a pumpkin. He was pedestrian this season. Staal did not up his game to make up for the loss of Weight and Reechi.
The playoff missing 07 Canes and 96 Devils may be best remembered for their connection to novel Cup celebrations. Those Devils were the first team to give every player a day with the Cup. The Hurricanes were the first team to raise their banner twice, so all of their fans could see it. Every team continues the day of the Cup tradition; I do not think any team will want to chance the Curse of the Double Banner Raise.
In 2002 they got the best of a vastly depleted by freakish injuries Devils squad. That series featured Kevin Weekes coming out of nowhere to steal the last two games. They turned the following series against the Habs around by scoring on a PP caused by an unforced error: a taunting penality against the Habs' coach.
In their Cup year they got past the Habs again largely aided by a suspicious stick to the eye of Saku Koivu. That series, and the rest of the playoffs, featured Cam Ward coming out of nowhere to steal several games and the Conn Smythe. Key injuries to the Buffalo defense in the conference finals and Dwayne Roloson in the Finals may have made the ultiamte difference in those seven-games series'.
I believe the Canes' continuous luck was more than random. Rob Brind'amour is one of the most underrated players in the league. It wouldn't surpirse me if he managed to spur Weekes and Ward to play over their heads. If you refuse to die for long enough in hockey the bounces, like a stupid taunting penalty to the opposition's coach, can turn your way.
The Canes are now just the second team in the modern era to miss the playoffs in their Cup defense year. The 1996 Devils were the first (I believe there is an asterisk to that one, in that they had the shortest off season in NHL history becuase the playoffs were delayed due to the 1995 lock out). The Canes lost Reechi, Weight, Cullen and Ward; basically an entire line and a key defenseman. That is a lot and even though Weight and Reechi were rentals they were leaned onheavily in the playoffs. Ultimately, Ward's coach turned back into a pumpkin. He was pedestrian this season. Staal did not up his game to make up for the loss of Weight and Reechi.
The playoff missing 07 Canes and 96 Devils may be best remembered for their connection to novel Cup celebrations. Those Devils were the first team to give every player a day with the Cup. The Hurricanes were the first team to raise their banner twice, so all of their fans could see it. Every team continues the day of the Cup tradition; I do not think any team will want to chance the Curse of the Double Banner Raise.
Labels: Devils Hurricanes
// posted by Grinder McCarver @ 7:00 PM 
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]