Jokinen Does it Again, Canes Lead Series 3-1

Jokinen Does it Again as Canes Win 4-1

This game just struck me as who wanted it more. The Bruins may have had a great regular season and played very well in game 1, but since then besides one good third period in game 2 and a good 2nd period tonight, they have been outworked by the faster Hurricanes. And please stop telling me about talent. Hockey in the playoffs is about heart, determination and who wants it more and so far in this series the Canes want it more than Boston, plain and simple.

The Bruins did come out well very early in the first period when on a power play, Kessel hit the post and seemed to pressure Ward early. When Carolina was on a power play, PJ Axelson stole a pass from Joni Pitkanen and broke in alone on Ward. Ward waited him out and stopped him with his left pad. From that point on, Carolina dominated the rest of the period, outshooting the Bruins 12-4. Eric Staal (2 goals tonight, 9 total for the playoffs) was set up by Ray Whitney and Cole by beating Thomas with a wrist shot from the left circle to give the Canes a 1-0 lead. Tim Thomas had a strong first stopping, Ray Whitney, Matt Cullen and Chad Larose and some very good chances. Zedeno Chara did hit the post about 9 minutes in as well for Boston.

In the second period, Tuomo Ruutu took a bad penalty in my opinion. That set up Boston with a power play where they sustained some good pressure on Ward. After a scramble in front, Marc Savard banged in a shot off of the left post to tie the game at 1. Boston had some chances after that where they hemmed Carolina in, but Ward was up to the task. Boston's best chance came when Ryder tipped a shot from the point but Ward corralled it with his glove to keep the game tied at 1. Late in the period when the Canes had the power play, Thomas made a nice stop on Joe Corvo when he was completely screened by Eric Cole. Boston outshot the Canes 10-6 in the second period and seemed to have the better of the chances.

The third period the Canes came out with a purpose knowing they could take a strangle hold on the series with a victory tonight. On a power play, the “Finnisher” as Jussi Jokinen has been known as, took a nice pass in front from Rod Brindamour to score his 6th goal of the playoffs. It is amazing because in the regular season he only scored 7 in 71 games. This proved to be the game winning goal. After this goal the Canes kept the pressure on and Ray Whitney set up Eric Cole for a glorious chance to basically ice the game but he shot it wide from about 25 feet out in front. Tim Thomas later on made a nice outlet pass all the way up to Marc Savard on the left wing, Savard was gassed though and took a nice slap shot that Ward handled off of his right shoulder. With about 6 minutes left in the game, Jussi Jokinen feathered a nice pass to Sergei Samsonov. Samsonov then faked Dennis Wideman out and walked in on Thomas to beat him clean with a high backhander to the blocker side to make it 3-1. Eric Staal then off of the left wing beat Thomas for his second goal of the night, also set up by Jokinen. In the third period the Canes outshot the Bruins 13-7 but after they made it 4-1 it was something like 12-2.

As I have said on numerous occasions, hockey is a game of character, luck and skill. This Canes team that is so resilient, seemingly eliminated by New Jersey, is now in command of this series. Jussi Jokinen and Sergei Samsonov have stepped up their game big time in this series to help support the scoring of the Staal, Whitney and Cole line. They still have to win another game, but if they show the heart, desire and effort that they have shown in the last two games, their chances of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2006 is good. Also not to be overlooked, this Canes team has a lot of players that have Stanley Cup Championship experience including Ward, Staal, Brindamour, Cullen, Wallin, Whitney, Cole and LaRose. I feel that their poise from being there before has helped them immensely in this series.