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.

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 BATTERED AND BRUISED

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No changes for the Cats on the injury front.

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Ditto for Carolina.

 

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

 

DIVISIONALLY SPEAKING

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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

• 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)