Caniacs AND Canes Never Say Die!

This team never ceases to amaze me. Just when the playoff chances were looking bleak, the boys completely revamp and come out fighting like a team I haven’t seen all season. Some of us Twitter Caniacs had been throwing around the hashtag #Caniacsneversaydie recently to show our devotion to the team, but the Canes have been showing they're all in, too, these past few games. Holding the no-longer-Ovi-less Caps to a tie through OT and getting not one, but two goals in the shootout to secure the W after a pretty physical game was exciting enough. But then to come to the Habs game tonight and see them looking organized, coordinated, cohesive, determined-- whatever adjective you want to use to describe it-- it was great. We were much better with keeping the puck in the right zone and put more shots on goal than I’d been used to following the All-Star break. Cam’s been consistently ridiculous all season, but the man has been downright mind-blowing lately. I seriously don’t know how Cam does it, but honestly, Mike Maniscalco’s amazing article on him does his skill way more justice than anything I could possibly write, so I’ll direct you here rather than do Mike or Cam a disservice. My girls and I bring our “Thank you Cam!” signs every game, even though he for sure can’t see them from the 300 level. We’re pretty sure he spotted it on his bobblehead night when we were in the 3rd row of 107, and plan to bring them to warmups from here out to get our appreciation across. The man deserves it, without question.

               

As for the rest of this team… if Skins doesn’t get the Calder, something’s off in the selection process. I’m so glad I’ve been fortunate enough to go to as many games as I have this season so I can say I saw some of these crazy games he’s had in his rookie year. He floored me from game 1 (well, the first game I saw him play) @ the Rangers in MSG. I’d heard the hype, but to see it live left me super excited for my return to Raleigh to watch him play more. Up through the All-Star game, his play has continued to leave us in awe, and he’s been doing so since, whether it’s because of something he’s doing on the ice or his maturity, leadership & composure off the ice. Would have loved to see his first hat trick tonight, and loved to see the guys rallying around him to get him the chances, but it’ll come in due time. Jamie could have gotten a hat trick tonight, too, which was awesome considering it was only his 3rd game back from a shoulder injury. He’s been another great player and a great guy, and I know the McBaniac from our group will be very glad to see him v Tampa on 4/9.

If you’ve read my blog, Tweets, or met me at all, you’re likely aware of my affinity for the Finns, Joni included. Canes fans seem very divided on the Joni issue—you either love him or hate him—and it kills me that it’s that way. I get that he makes mistakes, but all the guys do every night (with Cam as the only potential exception). I can remember times that Allen or Corvo or anyone else out there has made the same mistake as Joni in the same game, though I get that sometimes Joni’s have resulted in a big play or point for the opposition. Again, same is true for others on the team, but blame seems most often heaped on Joni. Pretty sure there was a lingering injury or something going on, because he’s looked much better recently, in my opinion, and has some points to show for it. Of course, there’s always the infamous OT goal when he, and I quote, “decided to shoot.” Games like tonight’s definitely showed the upside to having Joni around, which I believe far outweighs the negatives. Then again, I’m not running the team, but still show all the boys some Caniac love.

Saving my favorite Finn, Cane, hockey player in general, Tuomo Ruutu, for last, he’s finally starting to the get the recognition he’s long deserved by media and fans alike. Yes, he hits, but he does much more than that. He plays with such intensity every night that whether he gets a point, makes big hits, or chases down the puck & agitates whoever has it, it’s often creating an advantage of some kind for the rest of the team. He takes a humble, objective, yet emotional approach to the game that comes across in all his interviews (with a side of light-hearted teasing, like calmly dropping “bitching” in or calling himself a gladiator…). Hell, rumor has it the man even coughed up blood in the locker room during a recent game, then came back out to play. For anyone I’ve ever tried to explain “Sisu” to and ultimately failed, that right there is a perfect example. The first two goals in tonight’s game wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for his forechecking, and that wasn’t enough… the man went on to break the glass with a just right (and completely clean) hit on Hal Gill, the giant of the Habs. The man is awesome, but rarely gets a star as these aren’t the stat sheet qualities considered. The recognition is starting, though, with the Skinner Finn-Sandwich line being the most successful lately, and media types starting to catch on. Ruu would never complain, cause that’s just how he is, and that’s part of why he’s so awesome. I’m stopping my Finn tangent (for now), but seriously, love these boys and love this team! They have heart, for sure, and that’s just what they’ll need in this tough push for the playoffs.

Video from NHL.com of the glass shattering :)

PS- Happy 1st Day of the MLB Season!