Canes Extend Streak Over Blue Jackets

Raleigh, NC — The Carolina Hurricanes continue their winning ways in November, making it 4-in-a-row after beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 in a come-from-behind overtime win.

Ward Says No

Cam Ward started in goal for the fourth time and continued to make the Caniacs shake their heads in disbelief and awe to some of the saves he made. While the defense has played a stronger game, Ward has looked extremely sharp in the recent win streak. There’s no question that he kept the Canes in the game early into the rematch.

The Canes beat Columbus in Ohio on Tuesday 4-2 for their first road win. Columbus wanted to make sure they did not extend their current losing streak and challenged Ward with 11 solid shots in the first, but Ward was outstanding with key saves and excellent rebound control. Without Ward, the first would not have ended 0-0, as the Canes only had 4 shots.

Alex Semin had his first goal of the year called back after the refs made a decision that he pushed the puck and the keeper into the goal. Replays appeared, the puck went in before the goalie slid backwards, and the home crowd let the officiating crew know what they thought of that decision.

Skinner’s Smile is Back

Jeff Skinner was put on the fourth line which turned out to be a good move by head coach Bill Peters. After Jay McClement got tangled on the ice with a defenseman, Skinner came from behind he net and went untouched across the crease, faked the forehand, then sent a back-hander to give the Canes an early 1-0 lead.

If I was the official scorer, I’d give McClement an assist for toughness. After hard work by Boone Jenner on two plays, Scott Hartnell managed to elude the defense and put in 2 goals in the second giving the Blue Jackets the lead 2-1 after the second.

Youngs Guns Provide Offensive Power

The Canes were giving the Caniacs reason for hope as they stepped up their play in the third. The Canes were pressing in the offensive zone and showing some of their best forechecking of the game. Both Ward and the defense were in a shutdown mode. Ron Hainsey had an outstanding game with an in-your-face defense, and he made great choices of when to join the offensive rush.

Jay Harrison, John Michael Liles, Andrej Sekera and Brett Bellemore were all forces in front of Ward. About mid-way in the third, the speedy line of Pat Dwyer, Zach Boychuk and Victor Rask were having a great shift-all in the Blue Jackets end.

Rask pick-pocketed a Blue Jacket frying to carry the puck out of the zone, went through the face off circle, and turned around still holding the puck. Then, Hainsey created more traffic by charging the net, and Rask sent a wrister in from about 20’ out to tie the game. While many of the Caniacs didn’t think the officiating crew was having a particularly good game, they did make a call on an obvious hold.

Rod Brind’Amor deserves an assist, as he suggested putting 4 forwards on the man advantage and it paid off. Eric Staal was high in his defensive end and passed up to Elias Lindholm going up fast on the right side with Skinner on the left for a 2 on 1. After the defense took away the passing lane, Lindholm used his sniper skills and sent on high glove side to keep the Canes undefeated in November.

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Story by Bob Fennel. Photo by Doug Kerr.