Showing posts tagged “Scott Walker”
David Fellerath ·
5 Mar 2010, 1:46 AM ·
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Kate Shefte couldn’t catch tonight’s Hurricanes game, so Jeff Hamlin stepped in to file this report. Kate will return when the Hurricanes next play at home, March 11 versus the Pittsburgh Penguins.
RBC CENTER/ RALEIGH—There was some scoreboard watching among Carolina Hurricanes fans at the RBC Center on Thursday night. Not for playoff implications, mind you, but to see how some familiar names fare in their new towns and uniforms.
Certainly, there was enough to enjoy from the home team. Tom Kostopoulous and Rod Brind’Amour opened with consecutive goals in the first period, and the Canes cruised past Ottawa 4-1 for their seventh straight win. Manny Legace turned back 26 shots to improve to 8-5-2.
Yet the franchise’s past was every bit as prominent across the National Hockey League on Thursday as the present. There was Scott Walker, who was dealt to division-rival Washington on Wednesday, scoring twice in a span of 2:58 in the third period, including the game-winner, in leading the Capitals past Tampa Bay 5-4. Or Joe Korvo, also dealt to Washington Wednesday, piling up over 20 minutes of ice time in his first game with his new team.
Out in Phoenix, veteran forward Stephane Yelle was back in Colorado, where he helped the Avalanche to the 1996 Stanley Cup, their first season in Denver. It didn’t help on Thursday, as the Coyotes topped the Avalanche 3-1.
Tonight, Andrew Alberts will make his debut in a Vancouver uniform at Chicago. Aaron Ward, also traded Wednesday, will skate Saturday against Phoenix.
Overall, General Manager Jim Rutherford dealt away seven players over the span of a month, many of whom were instrumental in the Hurricanes’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
Heck, even the only glimmer of offense from Ottawa against Rutherford’s own team Thursday came from a player he traded three weeks ago. Matt Cullen, dealt on February 12th for Alexandre Picard and a second-round draft pick, scored on a wrap-around at 11:55 of the third period to ruin Legace’s attempt to notch the ‘Canes first shutout of the season.
Cullen, who was dealt before the two-week Winter Olympic break, felt that a few weeks off after the trade served as a help more than a hindrance.
“I was expecting the trade,” said Cullen, whose pregnant wife remains in Minnesota. “I was thrilled when Jim sent me to Ottawa. I was thankful. Now, I’m just trying to find my role on this team. The break helped me. It helped my family get settled in back home. And I can get used to a new system. Hopefully, it will pay off.”
Curiously, despite all the player movement, the Canes continue to play their most consistent hockey of the season. They’ve now won seven straight games, 11 of their last 13, and remain seven points behind Atlanta for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with 19 games remaining.
Defenseman Brian Pothier, dealt from Washington in the Corvo trade, was in uniform for his Carolina debut Thursday. He was credited with five blocked shots. The other player obtained in the Korvo trade, Finnish forward Oskar Osala, is expected to dress for Saturday’s game at Florida.
OTHER NOTES: Zach Boychuk had two assists in Thursday’s game, the first multi-point game of his career…Legace has now earned a victory over all 30 NHL teams in his career. Ottawa was the last team on the list…Forward Jussi Jokinen had his ten point scoring streak come to an end…The ‘Canes have outscored their opponents 29-12 during their seven-game winning streak.
Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey Aaron Ward, Alexandre Picard, Andrew Alberts, Brian Pothier, Jim Rutherford, Jussi Jokinen, Manny Legace, Matt Cullen, Oskar Osala, Rod Brind'Amour, Scott Walker, second-round draft pick, Stephane Yelle, Tom Kostopoulos, Zach Boychuk
Kate Shefte ·
3 Mar 2010, 3:50 PM ·
1 Comment
There still may be a few buzzer-beater deadline trades the ‘Canes haven’t announced yet, but right now it seems as though the team has traded away everyone…except those it said it was trading away. As of right now, Ray Whitney is still a ‘Cane despite rampant trade rumors to the contrary. Scott Walker and Joe Corvo are now members of the NHL-leading Washington Capitals, Aaron Ward is a Duck, Andrew Alberts is reportedly a Canuck and Stephane Yelle is floating out there in nowhere land, but he’s not with Carolina anymore.
Jim Rutherford did what he wanted – dumping dead weight and salary for draft picks. Carolina now owns the second round of the 2010 entry draft. Through various trades, the team now has at least 10 second-round picks. The Ducks re-gifted Justin Pogge to Carolina (wasn’t he a Maple Leaf, what…two or three weeks ago?) and the surging Hurricanes got Brian Pothier for Corvo. Poor Scott Walker got pawned off for what might very well be the last pick in the entire draft this year, but he’s off to a team with a very real chance of winning the cup. They might as well have called it “future considerations” for all the value a seventh-round pick usually has.
In minor news, every player Carolina signed in the offseason is now elsewhere except for Tom Kostopoulos. Ward and Yelle never seemed to mesh well with the team and were always a step behind, so chalk the whole Bruins exodus up to a failed experiment. Alberts was exactly as billed. He added needed grit but turned the puck over frequently, and wasn’t somebody the Hurricanes couldn’t stand to part with. The writing was on the wall for the perpetually injured Walker, but no one will ever forget his contributions to the ‘Canes’ 2009 playoff run.
The buzz on the web is that Rutherford wanted more for Whitney than anyone was willing to give – a first rounder and a solid NHL player, not a prospect. Maybe it just didn’t work out. We’ll know for sure in a few hours.
Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 2nd round, Aaron Ward, Andrew Alberts, Brian Pothier, Joe Corvo, Justin Pogge, salary, Scott Walker, Stephane Yelle, trade, trade deadline, Washington Capitals
Kate Shefte ·
12 Nov 2009, 1:59 AM ·
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RBC CENTER/ RALEIGH—Those who thought the acquisition of Manny Legacé would spur Carolina victory were greatly disappointed Wednesday night. Another mental collapse after the upstart Los Angeles Kings pulled ahead again spoiled a two-goal night from Tuomo Ruutu and the ‘Canes went winless in their thirteenth straight game.
Paul Maurice was booed during pregame introductions, while Legacé received a loud ovation. The fans are clearly no longer impressed with Maurice’s snazzy ties and have started to turn on the ‘Canes’ fearless bench boss – how long now until he gets the can? Firing him won’t fix all the ills on this team, but some bloodletting would not go amiss. What’s Laviolette doing these days? (He’s a television personality now, in case you don’t pick up Canadian channels.)
Los Angeles outshot the ‘Canes 13-2 in the first and somehow wound up with only a goal. Chad LaRose made a diving save while Legacé was behind the net retrieving a puck to keep the Carolina newbie’s “innocence” intact.
One thing fans in attendance noticed about the ‘Canes’ new puck stopper – he likes to wander. Legacé ventured out of the net to nearly disastrous effect numerous times. Does somebody need a leash?
However, it took less than four minutes for Legacé to receive his official Carolina initiation – being scored on in an embarrassingly pathetic manner. Seven seconds into a Matt Cullen boarding penalty, the ‘Canes left Ryan Smyth stand in the crease completely undisturbed and waiting for the rebound. He pecked it past Legacé through the open back door.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 13, fire, injury, Los Angeles Kings, losing streak, Manny Legace, Paul Maurice, Scott Walker
Kate Shefte ·
24 Jul 2009, 1:04 PM ·
1 Comment
Photo courtesy of Dan4th, Flickr.com
I woke up (at noonish…it’s the summer, don’t judge) and found a news release on my Blackberry. At first I thought it was a practical joke. Some moron had hacked in, copied the format of a news release and sent out nonsense about Boston’s Aaron Ward coming back to Carolina. It wouldn’t have been the first time Ward was involved in such shenanigans. But there was just no way. Not possible. Right?
But upon further inspection, it doesn’t look to be an elaborate forgery. In a move so predictable it’s almost comical at this point, former fan favorite and three-time Cup winner Aaron Ward is the latest reacquisition by Jim “New People Phobia” Rutherford, who tends to look to the past for solutions instead of taking a risk on some stranger…who, let’s be honest, might not be very nice!
After four years and two cup finals appearances with Carolina, the ‘Canes opted not to pick up Ward’s contract after the cup win and he spent the last three seasons split between New York and Boston, where he played on the top line with Zdeno Chara and gave the ‘Canes all sorts of hell in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 2006, Aaron Ward, Boston Bruins, Patrick Eaves, Scott Walker, trade
Kate Shefte ·
15 May 2009, 2:54 PM ·
2 Comments
Scott Walker and Matt Cullen scrum for the puck in Game 6. Photo by Peggy Boone, IndyWeekBlogs
FS-CR/TV—David ultimately trumped Goliath, yet again, except this time the story took an unexpected turn. Goliath woke up, saw the rock embedded in his forehead, realized what was happening and pounded David into dust before David could finish him off. Dazed and discouraged, David turned to his friend, Scotty Walker, who was hated by the village people (not those Village People…) Walker took his stone and sling and flung it into the net in the eleventh hour, and the spectators at the arena slunk out in horror while Walker, David and crew celebrated. “Tea parties? How about tee times?!” David taunted over Goliath’s prone form.
Was that weird? Apologies. Rod Brind’Amour, Sergei Samsonov and Scott Walker scored and the ‘Canes tightened up their defensive game in Game 7, ensuring an Eastern Conference Finals berth for Carolina for the third time in seven years.
For the first time in the 2009 playoffs, the Hurricanes won when Eric Staal didn’t score. Though almost every Game 7 statistic was against Carolina – home ice advantage, first goal scored, ect. – one remained true. Carolina became the seventh consecutive road time to win in Game 7 of overtime. In addition, though it might not be doing much to improve their fans’ blood pressure, the ‘Canes continued to thrive in Game 7’s, winning their fourth in a row.
And who was the quick-handed speed demon that made it happen in extra innings? Er…a grinder. Scott Walker, Boston’s most hated after he non-suckerpunched Aaron Ward in the face during Game 5 and the league opted against handing down a suspension, put it away for the ‘Canes in the textbook definition of a storybook ending.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey Boston Bruins, Eastern Conference Finals, Game 7, OT, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rod Brind'Amour, Scott Walker, Sergei Samsonov, Sidney Crosby, suckerpunch, victory
Kate Shefte ·
12 May 2009, 10:43 PM ·
2 Comments
"What the..." Gleason looks on in disgust and Ward crumples after Chuck Kobasew scores in the second period to make the score 4-1, Boston. Photo by Peggy Boone, IndyWeekBlogs
RBC CENTER/ RALEIGH—When Eric Staal warningly told the press that the “fourth win was the hardest” after Game 4, he wasn’t screwing around. The oddly prophetic statement now has more than a twinge of desperation in it, as his ‘Canes are suddenly on the brink after failing to close Boston out twice in a row. The Hurricanes dug a two-goal hole for themselves just five minutes in and never crawled out of it, ultimately losing 4-2 in Raleigh. After leading the series 3-1, the team is headed back to Boston for its second consecutive Game 7.
“There wasn’t enough conviction in the one-on-one battles,” Erik Cole said. The simpler we play, the better we’re going to be. We’ve got to regroup and go up there and win a big game.”
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 3-1, 4-2, Aaron Ward, Boston Bruins, comeback, Eastern Conference Finals, Eric Staal, game 6, Game 7, Matt Cullen, quarterfinals, Scott Walker, Sergei Samsonov, upset
Kate Shefte ·
11 May 2009, 6:12 PM ·
2 Comments
This afternoon, NHL officials announced that Scott Walker will be fined $2,500 for his involvement in a scrum in the final minutes of Game 5, in which he punched Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward in the face with his bare fist. Ward didn’t try to defend himself and could be out for the rest of his team’s playoff run, however short or long it may be, with what is suspected to be a broken orbital bone. Tests are still underway.
According to ‘Canes GM Jim Rutherford, the automatic suspension given to Walker was rescinded during a hearing with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell, as it was ruled the hit was not a “sucker punch.”
“Based on what was said on the ice as I was dropping my gloves, it was my understanding that I was engaged in an altercation,” Walker said in an official statement.
Now that’s strange. Ward and Walker were clearly jabbering back and forth, and Walker claims he understood the confrontation to be an “altercation” (even though the league discourages those in the last few minutes of the game.) No one knows what happened, unless someone out there can read lips. Maybe Ward asked Walker to punch him and he obliged – we have no idea. But the league overlooked Ward’s helpless stance and Walker’s late game frustration and no more disciplinary measures will be handed down as a result of this game.
$2,500 is nothing to a professional athlete; that’s less than a twelfth of what Walker makes per game. What kind of lesson does this send? None whatsoever. Another example of the NHL’s spotty and confusing disciplinary system. This hit from earlier in the Ducks/Red Wings series didn’t earn disciplinary action, so why should Walker’s non-suckerpunch?
The full story can be found here http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=278352 and the press release can be found here http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=422349.
Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 2500, Aaron Ward, discipline, fine, Jim Rutherford, league, Scott Walker, suckerpunch, suspension
Kate Shefte ·
11 May 2009, 12:12 AM ·
4 Comments
TV/FSN-CR—The Boston Bruins, as anticipated, did not roll over and allow Carolina to shake their hands on the way out the door. They’re going to make the ‘Canes work for this series win, and after a 4-0 demolition in Boston, the Hurricanes are on their way home to try for “Second Round Takedown: Take 2 (only this time, with feeling!)”
The ‘Canes looked tentative right off the bat, as though someone told them they did not deserve to win this game. The team was slow and allowed the Bruins to do whatever they wanted with the puck. Carolina was caught several times watching the play instead of being involved and 40 Boston shots later, the final score could have been much worse.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey 4-0, Aaron Ward, Boston Bruins, Phil Kessel, punch, Scott Walker, shutout, suckerpunch, suspension, Tim Thomas, Zdeno Chara
Kate Shefte ·
9 Mar 2009, 9:35 PM ·
2 Comments
The Carolina Hurricanes have made a total turnaround from the team that couldn’t score and couldn’t win big games, shutting out the New York Rangers – a team also fighting tooth-and-nail for a playoff spot – and winning their fourth in a row. Joe Corvo scored the game-winner in the second period and it held up after Cam Ward shut the door.
As on Friday, the ‘Canes attempted to take advantage of another tired team. New York was on the second end of a back-to-back after beating the Boston Bruins 4-3 last night. However, this team was hungrier, tougher, and, well, Avery-er than the teams Carolina blew out by a combined score of 15-4 on Friday and Saturday and gave the Hurricanes a run for their money. The game was much tighter than the score would suggest.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey bobblehead, Eastern Conference, Erik Cole, game winner, Joe Corvo, New York Rangers, playoffs, Scott Walker, Sean Avery
Kate Shefte ·
12 Nov 2008, 10:02 PM ·
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Brandon Sutter (Gregg Forwerck, Carolina Hurricanes)
Brandon Sutter, Matt Cullen, and Joni Pitkanen all made surprising and simultaneous comebacks, giving the Hurricanes a line-up that was closer to normal than it has been on months. However, if this game was an indication of how their bolstered line-up is going to play, the ‘Canes are in deep trouble. If wunderkind Alexander Semin didn’t score it, he set it up, and the Hurricanes were crushed by a Southeast Division opponent in their second straight game.
“We’re only fooling ourselves if we think we’re playing the right way right now,” Scott Walker said after the game. “It’s not a matter of systems or design out there, you have to want to get back there, you have to want the puck. We’re just not getting it done, and it’s unacceptable.”
The Hurricanes are now missing only Patrick Eaves and Justin Williams from their ranks. The team couldn’t get anything going against the Capitals again and fell, 5-1, giving up the division lead and losing back-to-back games in regulation for the first time this season. Those who were hoping for a quick fix didn’t get it; the Hurricanes obviously need time to gel and adjust after being without these players for so long.
Aside from Brandon Sutter, who boosted the Hurricanes’ penalty kill, Laviolette said he didn’t “think anyone really stood out” from the injured players in their first game back.
With Carolina employing both of its defensemen on the rush and pushing too far into the offensive zone – yet again – Alexander Semin and Alexander Ovechkin slipped by on a two-on-one. Tim Gleason, stuck in the middle, went with the safer choice, attempting to sweep the puck off of NHL second leading scorer Semin. Gleason missed, and although Ovechkin is currently mired in a scoring slump, he hasn’t forgotten how to torture a Carolina goaltender. He forced Michael Leighton down and tossed the puck over his head effortlessly.
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Carolina Hurricanes, Hockey Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Brandon Sutter, Scott Walker, Washington Capitals
