HURRICANES 101

In their first meeting of the season the Carolina Hurricanes took the Anaheim Ducks to overtime in California but were done in by All-Star Corey Perry 2:14 into the overtime period.

Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller made 31 saves and the Hurricanes managed to play 60 minutes but not 62. Cam Ward had a great game but the OT curse was stronger than Carolina's will to win.

Perhaps all that has changed now. If you take a look at the Hurricanes last dozen games or so, they actually look like a contender. If not, certainly a fun team to watch and we have a feeling the Canes will make it interesting in the remaining weeks, now just seven points out of the last playoff spot, currently held by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Ducks have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL lately but their nine game point streak was broken Tuesday night when they took on the Lightning at Tampa Bay losing 3-2. Anaheim now travels to Carolina's home ice at RBC Center where the Hurricanes have been red hot.

Monday night against the Washington Capitals and with Cam Ward out with a lower-body injury, the Hurricanes blew away the visiting team with a 5-0 shutout. Justin Peters, 25, is playing the best hockey of his young career. Peters stopped 17 shots and many of them were very impressive. The whole team was impressive as they started out with two quick goals in the first few minutes which seemed to take whatever steam the Capitals entered the rink with.

In the last meeting with the Ducks, Tuomo Ruutu, whose future with the team is still uncertain, scored a goal but is out with an injury for the next few weeks. General Manager Jim Rutherford said on the NHL Network that he hopes that Ruutu will remain with the team, despite rumors of a pending trade. With Ward apparently out for at least a few games, the Hurricanes brought up Mike Murphy from AHL Charlotte. Murphy has played in two games for the Hurricanes this year and is yet to give up a goal but hasn't earned a win yet.

The Anaheim Ducks are not quite in the playoff picture just yet, but their new coach, Bruce Boudreau who took over a helm the day after Kirk Muller took over the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of November, has the team playing well. The Ducks are five points out of a playoff spot in the Western conference and have plenty to play for Thursday night.

It is likely to be a pumped up crowd, though, for Carolina if Monday night is any indication. After the Shutout against the Caps the Caniac crowd gave the team a long standing ovation and are clearly looking forward to the rest of the Hurricanes six game home stand. After Thursday the Canes will remain home for the next four games.

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