Carolina offered no update yesterday on wingers Erik Cole and Tuomo Ruutu, who got apparent left leg or knee injuries Monday night, although Ruutu told The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C., he hopes to play in Game 2 tomorrow night.
"They're pretty tough guys," said Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason, adding he didn't see either get hurt -- just heard Cole scream and, later, saw him with ice bags strapped on -- but that their teammates remain optimistic. "We're, hopefully, looking forward to having them back, if not [today] then maybe [tomorrow]. They're two big, important pieces for us."
Ruutu was hurt in the first period when he was hit by Penguins defenseman Mark Eaton in front of the Penguins net. Ruutu left and did not return. Cole was hurt in the third period when he collided knee to knee with Penguins winger Matt Cooke in the slot.
Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice was more critical of Cooke's hit but did not call for a fine or suspension from the NHL.
"I just felt that by the time the collision happened, [Cooke] would have had time to readjust and not have it go there," Maurice said. "I just didn't like it."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09140/971284-61.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml#ixzz0G4LRfxT4&B
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09140/971284-61.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml
"They're pretty tough guys," said Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason, adding he didn't see either get hurt -- just heard Cole scream and, later, saw him with ice bags strapped on -- but that their teammates remain optimistic. "We're, hopefully, looking forward to having them back, if not [today] then maybe [tomorrow]. They're two big, important pieces for us."
Ruutu was hurt in the first period when he was hit by Penguins defenseman Mark Eaton in front of the Penguins net. Ruutu left and did not return. Cole was hurt in the third period when he collided knee to knee with Penguins winger Matt Cooke in the slot.
Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice was more critical of Cooke's hit but did not call for a fine or suspension from the NHL.
"I just felt that by the time the collision happened, [Cooke] would have had time to readjust and not have it go there," Maurice said. "I just didn't like it."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09140/971284-61.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml#ixzz0G4LRfxT4&B
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09140/971284-61.stm?cmpid=penguins.xml
my guess is ruutu is not playing and cole will play from the articles I read and this article. I would rather have it the other way around and have ruutu playing the way Erik cole has been playing if I were wagering on carolina thursday
cole, Ruutu 'day to day'
Submitted by chipalexander on 05/20/2009 - 14:03 <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="nando";</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --> <!-- BEGIN tags --> Tags: Canes Now | Erik Cole | Paul Maurice | Stanley Cup playoffs | Tuomo Ruutu
<!-- END tags --> <!-- BEGIN content --> PITTSBURGH — Officially, the status of forwards Erik Cole and Tuomo Ruutu for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals is "day to day" and a "game-time decision."
That's what Canes coach Paul Maurice said today after the team practice at Mellon Arena.
But the word from the Hurricanes camp is that Ruutu will not play against the Penguins on thursday night and there's a chance Cole could. Ruutu suffered an injured right ankle and Cole still feeling the effects from his knee-to-knee hit from the Penguins Matt Cooke in Game 1.
"We'll make an assessment tomorrow morning," Maurice said. "They may skate and they may not. We'll let our trainer (Pete Friesen) make that decision for them and then they'll both be game-time decisions.
"It could have been worse, I guess. We move forward positively."
cole, Ruutu 'day to day'
Submitted by chipalexander on 05/20/2009 - 14:03 <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <script type="text/javascript">var addthis_pub="nando";</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --> <!-- BEGIN tags --> Tags: Canes Now | Erik Cole | Paul Maurice | Stanley Cup playoffs | Tuomo Ruutu
<!-- END tags --> <!-- BEGIN content --> PITTSBURGH — Officially, the status of forwards Erik Cole and Tuomo Ruutu for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals is "day to day" and a "game-time decision."
That's what Canes coach Paul Maurice said today after the team practice at Mellon Arena.
But the word from the Hurricanes camp is that Ruutu will not play against the Penguins on thursday night and there's a chance Cole could. Ruutu suffered an injured right ankle and Cole still feeling the effects from his knee-to-knee hit from the Penguins Matt Cooke in Game 1.
"We'll make an assessment tomorrow morning," Maurice said. "They may skate and they may not. We'll let our trainer (Pete Friesen) make that decision for them and then they'll both be game-time decisions.
"It could have been worse, I guess. We move forward positively."
looks like ruutu is out for sure.pretty good write up by forslund this morning, keep in mind he is carolinas announcer even thought he does versus coverage as well.so there is certainly some bias ,good write up though
With his television duties concluded for the season, Hurricanes broadcaster John Forslund will be sharing his occasional thoughts on the playoffs with Canes Now. Enjoy...
Morning Thoughts for Game 2...
My good friends at The N&O have afforded me a chance to blog some thoughts in this space for the rest of the remarkable run through the playoffs by the Canes. So in the spirit of "concise blogospere bullets," here we go.
The Canes first real test in terms of the "war of attrition" comes tonight as they deal with injuries to Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Cole.
It appears Ruutu is definitely out for Game 2. After absorbing what appeared to be a "slew foot" from Mark Eaton, an apparent ankle injury will hold him out. There is a feeling around the team that he could be available for Saturday, but maybe Tuesday is more realistic.
As for Cole, the team kept him off the ice yesterday, but I don't it's too far out of reach to think that he could play tonight.
As for replacements, look for Anton Babchuk (a seventh "D" option) or Pat Dwyer to fill the void.
The Canes don't have many adjustments to make as they reflect on their Game 1 effort. They would like to get more shots through from the points with traffic in front of Fleury. They have looked at some video to upgrade their forecheck as Pittsburgh's breaks out of their zone.
They would like to amp up physical play (mind you they could be without their top two physical forwards) but still have to be mindful to walk that discipline line as to not give the Pens too many PP chances.
Their PK positioning was outstanding. Sure, they allowed the G
WG on the power play, but that's a shot Cam Ward would stop given another chance.
For the Canes, their biggest upgrade tonight will have to be in the Pittsburgh zone. They have to continue to "cycle" the Ptittsburgh defense right into the ice. By making them "chase," they will be able to generate plenty of chances. The players are convinced of that.
Then, when those opportunities arise, the team realizes they were too cute in certain sequences. If you hear the players say after this one that "it was kept simple," the Canes will accomplish what they have done throughout the playoffs: win game number two.
With his television duties concluded for the season, Hurricanes broadcaster John Forslund will be sharing his occasional thoughts on the playoffs with Canes Now. Enjoy...
Morning Thoughts for Game 2...
The Canes first real test in terms of the "war of attrition" comes tonight as they deal with injuries to Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Cole.
It appears Ruutu is definitely out for Game 2. After absorbing what appeared to be a "slew foot" from Mark Eaton, an apparent ankle injury will hold him out. There is a feeling around the team that he could be available for Saturday, but maybe Tuesday is more realistic.
As for Cole, the team kept him off the ice yesterday, but I don't it's too far out of reach to think that he could play tonight.
As for replacements, look for Anton Babchuk (a seventh "D" option) or Pat Dwyer to fill the void.
The Canes don't have many adjustments to make as they reflect on their Game 1 effort. They would like to get more shots through from the points with traffic in front of Fleury. They have looked at some video to upgrade their forecheck as Pittsburgh's breaks out of their zone.
They would like to amp up physical play (mind you they could be without their top two physical forwards) but still have to be mindful to walk that discipline line as to not give the Pens too many PP chances.
Their PK positioning was outstanding. Sure, they allowed the G
WG on the power play, but that's a shot Cam Ward would stop given another chance.
For the Canes, their biggest upgrade tonight will have to be in the Pittsburgh zone. They have to continue to "cycle" the Ptittsburgh defense right into the ice. By making them "chase," they will be able to generate plenty of chances. The players are convinced of that.
Then, when those opportunities arise, the team realizes they were too cute in certain sequences. If you hear the players say after this one that "it was kept simple," the Canes will accomplish what they have done throughout the playoffs: win game number two.
looks like ruutu is out for sure.pretty good write up by forslund this morning, keep in mind he is carolinas announcer even thought he does versus coverage as well.so there is certainly some bias ,good write up though
With his television duties concluded for the season, Hurricanes broadcaster John Forslund will be sharing his occasional thoughts on the playoffs with Canes Now. Enjoy...
Morning Thoughts for Game 2...
My good friends at The N&O have afforded me a chance to blog some thoughts in this space for the rest of the remarkable run through the playoffs by the Canes. So in the spirit of "concise blogospere bullets," here we go.
The Canes first real test in terms of the "war of attrition" comes tonight as they deal with injuries to Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Cole.
It appears Ruutu is definitely out for Game 2. After absorbing what appeared to be a "slew foot" from Mark Eaton, an apparent ankle injury will hold him out. There is a feeling around the team that he could be available for Saturday, but maybe Tuesday is more realistic.
As for Cole, the team kept him off the ice yesterday, but I don't it's too far out of reach to think that he could play tonight.
As for replacements, look for Anton Babchuk (a seventh "D" option) or Pat Dwyer to fill the void.
The Canes don't have many adjustments to make as they reflect on their Game 1 effort. They would like to get more shots through from the points with traffic in front of Fleury. They have looked at some video to upgrade their forecheck as Pittsburgh's breaks out of their zone.
They would like to amp up physical play (mind you they could be without their top two physical forwards) but still have to be mindful to walk that discipline line as to not give the Pens too many PP chances.
Their PK positioning was outstanding. Sure, they allowed the G
WG on the power play, but that's a shot Cam Ward would stop given another chance.
Pertaining to the comment above in 'bold', it should be noted that the Penguin opposition, for the most part, is not giving the Pens the numerous PP chances, it's more the referees who are constantly setting Pissburgh up with powerplay after powerplay at key intervals of their games. As I mentioned in another thread, it happened in their previous pair of series against Philadelphia and Washington. The Capitals in fact did very well just to take that series to seven games considering the Pens were handed 15 more opportunities on the powerplay throughout the seven games played.
It's no doubt a one-sided series when Pissburgh is involved and the opposition is at a clear disadvantage from the outset.
It's truly a shame and/or a disgrace but sadly it's reality.
Where's my violin.Pertaining to the comment above in 'bold', it should be noted that the Penguin opposition, for the most part, is not giving the Pens the numerous PP chances, it's more the referees who are constantly setting Pissburgh up with powerplay after powerplay at key intervals of their games. As I mentioned in another thread, it happened in their previous pair of series against Philadelphia and Washington. The Capitals in fact did very well just to take that series to seven games considering the Pens were handed 15 more opportunities on the powerplay throughout the seven games played.
It's no doubt a one-sided series when Pissburgh is involved and the opposition is at a clear disadvantage from the outset.
It's truly a shame and/or a disgrace but sadly it's reality.
