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.

 General McClure (r) and Congressional medal-of-honor winner Princi believe the Cats have turned the corner.

DIVISIONALLY SPEAKING

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

• Sun-Sentinel: Road's end a welcome sight
• Miami Herald: Defense "superb" against Leafs, Blog: FSN news
• Raleigh News-Observer: Eye on the Hurricanes
• AP via NHL.com: game preview
• AccuScore via The Sporting News
• Panthers website
• 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)