Showing posts tagged “Chad LaRose”
Kate Shefte ·
18 Jan 2010, 11:37 PM ·
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Head on a swivel: LaRose had a goal in his return to the Carolina line-up. Photo by Peggy Boone, IndyWeekBlogs
Occasionally here at Triangle Offense, we’re sometimes unnecessarily harsh on Chad LaRose. And this was before he was granted that generous contract and proceeded to lose that spark-plug quality that made him so respected in Carolina. But you have to hand it to him – no matter how he’s playing, he brings people together.
LaRose scored just his second of the season in the third period to thunderous approval from the 16,000 fans in attendance, most of which were brandishing bobbleheads in his likeness. Or Frodo Baggins’. Or Justin Timberlake’s. While they were closer this time, bobblehead design remains an inexact science.
But regardless, the Hurricanes have followed up their first three-game winning streak of the season with a three-game losing streak after dropping a 3-2 contest to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The game opened with plenty of good scoring opportunities, but few actually made it to the net. It seemed as though someone would inevitably break through, and it finally did as Ryan Malone picked up a rebound through traffic – how he saw it in the middle of a six-player mess is beyond me – and backhanded it underneath Ward.
Carolina wasted two power plays and the best chance of either of them came in the form of a Tampa Bay breakaway.
Never before had a 1-0 lead seemed so commanding. There seemed to be twice as many white jerseys on the ice as read and they always were in possession of the puck.
Right after whiffing on a completely open net, Eric Staal sent a pass to Matt Cullen in front of the net. Every player on the ice seemed to be knocking the puck around in a circle like little kid soccer until Cullen finally shook it loose to make it 1-1.
Aaron Ward has a good idea but a bad sense of direction as he almost scores on his own goalie. Vincent Lecavalier did the honors instead moments later. Photo by Peggy Boone, IndyWeekBlogs
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey Antero Nittymaki, bobblehead, Chad LaRose, Levavalier, Lightning, losing streak, Matt Cullen, Tampa Bay, three game
Kate Shefte ·
21 Nov 2009, 10:42 PM ·
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Matt Cullen and Jussi Jokinen celebrate Carolina's go-ahead goal in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Lightning. Mike Smith is, er, not as enthused. Photo by Peggy Boone, IndyWeekBlogs
RBC CENTER/RALEIGH - The Hurricanes got a 60 minute effort tonight at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning and won in regulation for the first time since Oct. 9. The Lightning, which was clinging to eighth place in the Eastern Conference, parted like the Red Sea and allowed the ‘Canes to party like it was 2008. Good defense, crisp passes, clutch saves by Manny Legace when Carolina needed them – this looked like a completely different Carolina team.
Those watching from home might not have seen Tampa Bay forward Martin St. Louis get a lesson in anthem etiquette from the RBC Center crowd before the game. St. Louis was peer pressured into removing his backwards baseball cap before the start of the national anthem from several vocal Caniacs in the stands.
Hole moly, was that a forecheck? The crucial offensive component that has been rumored to exist, but has been so rarely seen this season, got to work in the Lightning end as Carolina put a consistent cycle together in the first period and almost scored several times. Whitney had the best with a solo opportunity on Mike Smith with a half open net, but couldn’t convert.
St. Louis got Tampa on the board first after he roofed a rebound on a power play. Tom K-Something was in the box for tripping.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 3-1, anthem, Chad LaRose, hat, Manny Legace, Martin St. Louis, Mike Smith, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tuomo Ruutu, win
Adam Sobsey ·
9 Sep 2009, 8:48 AM ·
1 Comment
Case in point: not long after I went all Heisenberg in yesterday’s playoff preview of the series between the Durham Bulls and the Louisville Bats—cautioning readers about the transitory and frankly inscrutable nature of Triple-A rosters—the Tampa Bay Rays read what I wrote and decided to have a little more fun with us and/or do something to shore up their collapsing bullpen, which wilted again and let down David Price last night. They recalled Dale Thayer (pictured, pre-mustache), and as I was already wondering aloud here the other day, what took them so long? Can Thayer be much worse than what they’re getting from their relief corps lately?
Also, after his great debut on Sunday, Wade Davis has been asked to repeat the performance this coming Saturday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. I don’t think he’s likely to come back to Durham, either this season or any other. Andy Sonnanstine has been relegated to the bullpen, where he can ply Thayer for mustache grooming tips—even if he doesn’t decide to grow one. A mustache.
A glance at the Durham Bulls’ web site suggests that Travis Wood, not Ben Jukich, is Louisville’s starter tonight. If that’s the case, it means that a pair of 22-year-olds who were both pitching in the Double-A Southern League less than two months ago will be spearheading their respective Triple-A clubs’ playoff runs tonight. With Hellickson and Wood on the mound, you may be seeing two of the new young guns of the big leagues in action this evening.
Finally, for those looking for a little sports crossover, here’s yet another good reason to come to the games tonight and tomorrow: Carolina Hurricanes Erik Cole and Chad LaRose will throw the ceremonial first pitches on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Unless they’re called up to Tampa.
Baseball, Durham Bulls, Tampa Bay Rays Bulls on the Move, Chad LaRose, crossover, Dale Thayer, Erik Cole, Wade Davis
Kate Shefte ·
2 Jul 2009, 9:07 PM ·
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After weeks of speculation and a surprising amount of media coverage, both of Carolina’s reluctant free agents are back for 2009-2010 and beyond.
I mused that it was JR that was shying away from longer contracts, but perhaps, instead, it’s the players that want a shot at a bigger payday in a few years when the economy warms up. Chad LaRose was reportedly offered a three-year deal last night that he and his agent talked over but ultimately did not accept. After exploring the market, LaRose and the ‘Canes decided on a two-year deal.
LaRose settled for the exact same contract Jussi Jokinen received three days ago - $1.5 million next season and $1.9 the year after that. It was a significant raise for LaRose and a slight pay cut for Jokinen, which makes me wonder how both feel about how this whole thing shook out.
The 5’9, undrafted LaRose wasn’t expected to crack the NHL, but he surpassed all expectations with a 19-goal season in 2008-2009. Things haven’t been smooth for Larose contract-wise – he filed for arbitration last year – but a rabid fan base that adores you and teammates and staff that compliment you at every chance go a long way.
Still no new blood on the ‘Canes’ roster, but we’ll keep you posted.
Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 1.5 million, Chad LaRose, contract, free agency, free agent, July 1, raise, re-sign, trade deadline
Kate Shefte ·
29 Jun 2009, 6:20 PM ·
1 Comment
Photo by Gregg Forwerck, Carolina Hurricanes
This just in: Jussi Jokinen is the first of Carolina’s free agents to scratch the j’s and dot the i’s – at least in spirit – from his summer abode in Europe. Jokinen signed a two-year contract that will pay him $1.5 million next season and $1.9 million in 2010-2011 after a jaw-dropping postseason in which he scored seven goals, three of which were of the game-saving variety. Jokinen will look to replicate that success in the regular season. Anton Babchuk and Tuomo Ruutu have yet to accept offers, though Carolina still has its hooks in the restricted free agents.
While looking through a few posts from the postseason, I’ve started to notice that I often supplant my own opinion with “’Canes fans.” This is not only ridiculously conceited, but I have no way of telling whether it’s true. So from now on, no more!
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 1.5 million, 2009 draft, Chad LaRose, contract, Erik Cole, free agent, July 1, Jussi Jokinen, Philippe Paradis, RFA, signed, UFA
Kate Shefte ·
18 May 2009, 11:13 PM ·
1 Comment
FS-CR/TV - Well. Um. At least it wasn’t 4-1 for a change?
The Hurricanes managed to hold league poster boy Sidney Crosby without a shot on goal through two periods for the first time in the postseason and allowed him only two in the third. Aside from Marc-Andre Fleury, who outplayed Cam Ward tonight (didn’t expect that one, as Fleury has been shaky in the playoffs thus far,) Carolina caught the Penguins on an off night but couldn’t complete a comeback after falling into another early hole and dropped Game 1, 3-2.
Mellon Arena continues to be an injury whirlpool for the ‘Canes, who couldn’t seem to escape the arena without a long-term injury for several years. Erik Cole broke his neck there in 2006 and was injured in a knee-on-knee with Matt Cooke collision tonight. Cole was not pleased with the play and after writhing on the ice for a few minutes, called out the Penguins bench after he took a seat. Tuomo Ruutu went down in the first period after Mark Eaton stuck out his leg and swept Ruutu’s out from under him. Ruutu went down hard and left with the dreaded, nonspecific “lower body injury” and didn’t return. The ‘Canes’ two most physical forwards may now be out for Game 2.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 3-2, Cam Ward, Chad LaRose, Evgeni Malkin, game 1, Game 2, Marc Andre Fleury, Mellon Arena, Philippe Boucher, Pittsburgh Penuins, Sidney Crosby
Kate Shefte ·
3 May 2009, 11:22 PM ·
2 Comments
The scoring was slanted in a very different direction tonight. (Photo courtesy of Dinur, Flikr.com)
In their wildest dreams, perhaps Caniacs dared to think of earning a split against Boston at home. This was a team that had lost six of 44 games in regulation in their own building and thoroughly manhandled the ‘Canes in Game 1. In addition, this was a team that had beaten Carolina five straight times by a combined score of 22-6.
The ‘Canes hit another level tonight and Cam Ward had what was clearly an out-of-body experience in the net tonight en route to a dominating 3-0 shut out win in Boston’s barn. The ‘Canes’ defense didn’t turn the puck over as frequently and the penalty killers certainly got the job done, shutting down the Bruins four times. The offense found its way around Tim Thomas three (scratch) two times (oops, sorry) and added an empty-netter, but Ward was the star tonight, front and center. He saw the puck clearly, performed acrobatics that were nothing short of Cirque de Soleil caliber and seemed to grow an extra set of arms to keep the puck away from the goal line.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 0.2, 3-0, Boston Bruins, Cam Ward, Chad LaRose, disallowed goal, empty net, Eric Staal, Erik Cole, Joe Corvo, Matt Cullen, second period, short handed, shortie, shut out, split, Zdeno Chara
Kate Shefte ·
26 Apr 2009, 11:46 PM ·
4 Comments
The 'Canes kick back on the bench while Mo shows off another snappy suit. (Photo by Dreier Carr, Independent Weekly)
RBC CENTER/ RALEIGH—The Carolina Hurricanes fought hard in Game 6 for the tie and managed to send it back to Newark. Once there, they’ll be able to visit an old friend: Game 7. New Jersey captain Jamie Langenbrunner returned from injury to play in his first since Game 1, but his Devils looked slow and listless after Carolina seized momentum and the home team danced to a 4-0 victory.
Here’s a curious little twist: after going down 3-1 to the Rangers, the Washington Capitals pulled even this morning, so both Southeast division teams are headed to Game 7’s. Staal took over third place in all-time playoff scoring in just two postseason campaigns and Ward responded to his hero’s Thursday shutout with one of his own, making 28 saves in the win.
How do you ignite a stagnant top line? Easy. Add Chad LaRose, water, and stir. The ‘Canes put the team’s leading scorer at the time (I can’t believe I just typed that) on the top line and it paid dividends. Mo wasn’t pulling the press’ chain when he said he was going to tinker with his lines before the game. Anton Babchuk was back after serving as a healthy scratch and Samsonov returned from a short absence due to injury. Patrick Eaves was on the second line with Brind’Amour and Samsonov to start the game and LaRose deservedly jumped onto the top line with Staal and Whitney. Whitney factored in on every goal and he and his linemates combined for nine points.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 4-0, Chad LaRose, David Clarkson, fight, first line, game 6, Game 7, Jamie Langenbrunner, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, Ray Whitney, shutout, six, Tim Gleason
Kate Shefte ·
24 Apr 2009, 11:36 AM ·
1 Comment
Anyone who thought Martin Brodeur’s stick-throwing hissy fit on Tuesday night would put an extra shake in his glove was sadly mistaken. Anyone who thought being cut by the skate of a flying Chad LaRose would slow him up was very wrong. And anyone who thinks the ‘Canes have a shot in this playoff series, regardless of how well they play, if Brodeur is on his game is living in a little place I like to call Delusion Land.
The best goalie in the world saved the diva antics tonight and posted 44 saves, stuffing the ‘Canes at every turn. He stopped everything he saw – and didn’t see – en route to a 1-0 shutout in Game 5.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey Chad LaRose, cut, David Clarkson, Game 5, leg, Martin Brodeur, Prudential Center, shutout, The Rock
Kate Shefte ·
21 Apr 2009, 11:37 PM ·
7 Comments
LaRose congrats Ward on a game well rescued (Peggy Boone, Indy Weekly)
RBC CENTER/ RALEIGH—0.2 seconds. That’s all that came between the Hurricanes and an overtime that could have led to essential statistical elimination. The ‘Canes tried the whole “playing with a lead” thing, and it almost failed miserably. Carolina couldn’t make a three-goal lead stand up but a Dennis Seidenberg slap shot with a second left was tipped by Jussi Jokinen to put an end to this nail-biter.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 0.2, 3 goal, Chad LaRose, comeback, Dennis Seidenberg, Eric Staal, Hail Mary, heart attack, Jussi Jokinen, lead, Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, Ryan Bayda
