Clinched!!!

Yep. Clinched. We are going to the playoffs.



Little E says "BRING IT!!!"

Playoffs baby.

Hurricanes win big over a flock of helpless birds

Was it just me or did it look like ATL didn't really give a damn tonight? It looked like the Canes were playing the Raleigh IceCaps for large chunks of the game. Sad to see, really - a hockey team in the South imploding.. Luke mentioned that it was one of the smallest crowds he'd ever seen since writing for the team while the Thrash beat writer at the AJC is witnessing a team get kicked off the practice rink by their coach.

You can't just give in, can you? Even if the Hurricanes were definitely out of the playoffs, they certainly wouldn't lay down for any division opponent in their own house, would they? Whatever the case, the Canes will certainly be happy with their effort tonight. They appeared to layoff the heavy hitting and spent more time with cycling puck control. Atlanta was not hitting, not hustling and not mentally there for this game.

Any possible energy saved tonight will help against the Minnesota trappers Wild back home at the giant ATM tomorrow night in front of a rowdy, raucous Caniac Nation. Your last chance to see a Western conference team in Raleigh this season.

Happy Birthday Cam Ward

Leap year baby Cam Ward turns the ripe old age of 24 today. Counting how many times his actual birthday has happened in his life time, he is officially 6 years old today. Oh, to be young again.

Avalanche @ Canes - The Battle of the Beatens

Picture from the Wuf family recent Boulder trip:

Lovely day for a tailgate.

I've been looking forward to this game. Colorado is breath-takingly beautiful. Breweries everwhere. The people are nice. Downtown Denver in the Coors Field area is an experience not to be missed. I get the occasional update on the Avalanache from our good friends living in Boulder.

The Avs are without their Ultra Captain Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth due to injuries (sounds familiar). If you don't like big Joe, you can pretty much get out of my country. What a stand-up character guy. They've been on a not-so-hot streak lately, struggling to find consistent goaltending (again, familiar). Hopefully this will be an entertaining, high scoring affair tonight.

Favorite Avs related blog: Jerseys & Hockey Love with Tapeleg.

Go Canes!