Cane Says
10-29-2003, 06:54 AM
Hurricanes 3, Sharks 0
By DAVID DROSCHAK
AP Sports Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes convinced themselves to keep plugging away after a rough offensive start to the season.
Now the offensive has come around the same time as the team’s goaltending.
“One of the strengths of our team when we do well is our mental game is excellent,” said Kevin Weekes, who recorded his second straight shutout, beating the San Jose Sharks 3-0 Tuesday night.
Weekes stopped 28 shots for his 15th career shutout. He was sharp again after a 2-0 win five days ago in Boston, getting the break he needed in the second period when a shot hit the post and bounced off his back but rolled just wide of the net.
“When the tide starts turning the other way that bounce goes in the net and I’m frustrated and we’re ticked off about it,” Weekes said. “We’ll roll with it when it goes our way and bite our lip when it doesn’t.”
The offensive night belonged to Josef Vasicek, who had his first three-goal game, and Jeff O’Neill, who helped set up his teammate on all three scores.
“We’ve played some really strong hockey this year and haven’t had much to show for it,” said coach Paul Maurice. “But this is a kind of game where a lot of people made huge contributions.”
Carolina is unbeaten in six straight (2-0-4) as Weekes extended his shutout streak to a career-best 165 minutes.
After scoring nine goals in their first six games, the Hurricanes’ offense is also starting to produce with seven over a two-game span.
“There were several frustrating games early in the season when we were working so hard and we had so many more shots than the other team had,” Vasicek said. “Finally the puck is starting to go in and it’s great.”
And once again, the Hurricanes outworked their opponent from the start, frustrating the Sharks, who turned to their fists in the second period to try to get even.
That plan backfired as Vasicek put Carolina up 2-0 after a pair of fights gave the Hurricanes the power play.
“We had our usual feel sorry for ourselves thing going on,” San Jose coach Ron Wilson said.
About four minutes later, Vasicek had his hat trick after deflecting a shot in off a centering pass from Danny Markov, who had two assists.
Carolina was outshot 8-0 just 13 minutes in, before O’Neill set up Vasicek’s first goal late in the period to get the Hurricanes going.
“They got the breaks and they buried them,” San Jose captain Mike Ricci said. “We opened it up a little bit and gave them opportunities we shouldn’t have.”
Notes: Carolina’s streak of seven straight 30-shot games ended with 28 on net against the Sharks. ... San Jose has been outscored 11-2 this season in the second period. ... Carolina D Glen Wesley logged a season-high 25 minutes. ... Wayne Primeau had 55 penalty minutes in 77 games last year. He picked up 32 minutes in the third period alone after being called for five different infractions during a fight. ... The Hurricanes lost the faceoff battle (31-23) for the first time this year.
By DAVID DROSCHAK
AP Sports Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes convinced themselves to keep plugging away after a rough offensive start to the season.
Now the offensive has come around the same time as the team’s goaltending.
“One of the strengths of our team when we do well is our mental game is excellent,” said Kevin Weekes, who recorded his second straight shutout, beating the San Jose Sharks 3-0 Tuesday night.
Weekes stopped 28 shots for his 15th career shutout. He was sharp again after a 2-0 win five days ago in Boston, getting the break he needed in the second period when a shot hit the post and bounced off his back but rolled just wide of the net.
“When the tide starts turning the other way that bounce goes in the net and I’m frustrated and we’re ticked off about it,” Weekes said. “We’ll roll with it when it goes our way and bite our lip when it doesn’t.”
The offensive night belonged to Josef Vasicek, who had his first three-goal game, and Jeff O’Neill, who helped set up his teammate on all three scores.
“We’ve played some really strong hockey this year and haven’t had much to show for it,” said coach Paul Maurice. “But this is a kind of game where a lot of people made huge contributions.”
Carolina is unbeaten in six straight (2-0-4) as Weekes extended his shutout streak to a career-best 165 minutes.
After scoring nine goals in their first six games, the Hurricanes’ offense is also starting to produce with seven over a two-game span.
“There were several frustrating games early in the season when we were working so hard and we had so many more shots than the other team had,” Vasicek said. “Finally the puck is starting to go in and it’s great.”
And once again, the Hurricanes outworked their opponent from the start, frustrating the Sharks, who turned to their fists in the second period to try to get even.
That plan backfired as Vasicek put Carolina up 2-0 after a pair of fights gave the Hurricanes the power play.
“We had our usual feel sorry for ourselves thing going on,” San Jose coach Ron Wilson said.
About four minutes later, Vasicek had his hat trick after deflecting a shot in off a centering pass from Danny Markov, who had two assists.
Carolina was outshot 8-0 just 13 minutes in, before O’Neill set up Vasicek’s first goal late in the period to get the Hurricanes going.
“They got the breaks and they buried them,” San Jose captain Mike Ricci said. “We opened it up a little bit and gave them opportunities we shouldn’t have.”
Notes: Carolina’s streak of seven straight 30-shot games ended with 28 on net against the Sharks. ... San Jose has been outscored 11-2 this season in the second period. ... Carolina D Glen Wesley logged a season-high 25 minutes. ... Wayne Primeau had 55 penalty minutes in 77 games last year. He picked up 32 minutes in the third period alone after being called for five different infractions during a fight. ... The Hurricanes lost the faceoff battle (31-23) for the first time this year.