In what began as a penalty-filled nightmarish orgy for the host Cats, “hanging in there” ultimately went a long way for the boys from Sunrise. (Above is the first goal of the game. I’d wanted to move it to the bottom of the post, but that proved impossible. So here it is.)
Goaltender Tomas Vokoun – vilified right here at The Box in recent games – continued his confident, stoic, do-the-job attitude, stopping 32 shots (21 in the first frame) to dance his way to a second consecutive shutout. St. Louis was a pleasant surprise. Carolina? No matter what their struggles may be, a night against the Cats typically rights their ship. Not this night. Vokoun is dispaying something fans have not seen since his acquisition over two years ago. He’s a different player in the past three games. Temporary? Perhaps, but he’s looking damn solid.
And how about “The Line”? Steven Reinprecht and ex-Cane Cory Stillman combined for four points; mate Nathan Horton left with nothing on the board, but was active all night (forget his statistical one shot).
Notes: SOG Leader: Bryan McCabe (4), who also banged in an assist. Rostislav Olesz had a spirited game, ending with an unrepresentative 3 shots. Carolina – somehow – topped Florida’s seven penalties with eight of their own. The Hurricanes‘ Brandon Sutter (0 points, even) led Carolina with four shots. Former Stanley Cup MVP netminder Cam Ward finished with 29 saves.
And hey…Bryan Allen scored a goal!!! Tear it up, B!