Game Day: Carolina Hurricanes @ Florida Panthers
April, 1997: News of the Whalers' relocation deeply affects longtime-fan Eugene.
Canes at Cats, 7:30 pm, NO TV
(Big thanks to the Panthers, NHL, and FSN for pussing out and denying us an extremely significant division game; not all of us are slaves to College Football. Disgusting in the lack of regard for we who care.)
Panthers: 18-16-6 42P, 3rd in SE Hurricanes: 21-15-5 47P, 2nd in SE
All-time: 40-27-11, CAR/HFD
Game 4 of 6, season series: 2-1 CAR (home teams have won each game)
And we're off. Back to more exciting divisional action, where a meager five points separate the 3rd place Cats from the 2nd place 'Canes.
Carolina is riding a four-game win streak, maintaining their lead over Florida, despite the Panthers' better-than-average 4-3-3 (11 points) over the past ten.
Of the last eight games between these clubs, seven have been decided by one goal. Shocker.
I just spilled coffee on myself, my desk, and my keyboard. My pants are soaked, shirt is stained, and have I mentioned the Cats' game is not being televised?
In a rare dressing-room appearance, Carolina GM Jim Rutherford explains to his team the importance of a victory tonight in Sunrise.
AT THE ENDS
I haven't found anything - anywhere - to tip me off as to who's starting in goal...for either club. Presumably, that's probably the case in Florida's dressing room as I type these words. However, there's no reason to believe the "platoon" system has ended, so I'm going with Andy for the home boys and Ward in net for the enemy.
BATTERED AND BRUISED
No changes for the Cats on the injury front.
Ditto for Carolina.

General McClure (r) and Congressional medal-of-honor winner Princi believe the Cats have turned the corner.
DIVISIONALLY SPEAKING
After a night off for all SE clubs, four teams are back in action tonight, though only the Cats/Canes game is of any import.
The 5th place Thrashers travel to New Jersey, as the barely fourth place Lightning visit their old friend Olli Jokinen and the Phoenix Coyotes.
I could have summed all of that up with two words: So What? All division eyes - except ours - should be on Sunrise.

Staal, Brind'Amour, and a nondescript Hurricanes' player peer down the SE standings, clearly in awe of the rising tide that is Florida.
LITTER BOX LINERS
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Sun-Sentinel: Road's end a welcome sight
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Miami Herald: Defense "superb" against Leafs, Blog: FSN news
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Raleigh News-Observer: Eye on the Hurricanes
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AP via NHL.com: game preview
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AccuScore via The Sporting News
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Panthers website
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Hurricanes website
THE FAR REACHES OF THE BLOGOSPHERE
- Cat Scratch (FLA)
- Panthers on the Prowl (FLA)
- Carolina on Ice (CAR)
- Canes Country (CAR)
- Red and Black Hockey (CAR)
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Comments
So I leave you, as you left me...
…as you left her…
Marooned for all eternity in the center of a dead planet, er, Atlanta.
The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 8, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
Vokoun Starting
His 1st game after being benched has been generally good, not so much for after that. Tonight we shall see…4-point game in the standings. We’ll see if they come out with their 4th straight good game. The last 3 were on the road, and i think you will agree w/ me that they need to get their crap together on home ice.
"South Florida Sports Are My Life."
That's what I get...
…for working at work. Gotta keep that in check.
On board with T-Vo.
The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 8, 2009 6:06 PM EST up reply actions
Have fun
tonight there, Whaley. Maybe the Canes will take a few dives for you :)
(btw, the non-descript player is Doug Weight in the picture w/ Brindy & Staal towards the end there.)
Carolina On Ice: All Things Hockey in the Carolinas!
Thanks Wuf...
…same to you.
I know it was Weight, but didn’t want to acknowledge the success of a 10-week rental player. Might as well have been Recchi.
Or Tkachuk in Atlanta. Mwahahahahhahaha!!!
The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 8, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions
BCS v. Panthers?
You can’t really blame FS Florida for dropping the puck, so to speak, on this game. Those who care about the Panthers are greatly outnumbered by those who don’t, and especialy by those who care about the BCS title with the Gators in it. http://atdhe.net/ should be able to get the game online that way.
Way to go, Stanley
Thanks for the link!
I understand the “who’s gonna care?” attitude, but geez…it was already a done deal and paid for. They might as well run dead air or a high school basketball game from Frostproof.
The Litter Box: Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jan 8, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

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