Cane Says
11-02-2005, 09:20 AM
Canes' Staal honored
Center is offensive player of month
Staal has 22 points in 11 games.
By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer
Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal is the NHL's offensive player of the month -- the first player from the franchise to earn monthly honors since Mike Rogers of the Hartford Whalers in December 1980.
Staal, who turned 21 on Saturday, received the recognition Tuesday after leading the NHL with 22 points in 11 games. He also was tied for fifth in plus-minus at plus-8.
He has a six-game scoring streak (four goals, 10 assists) and is a big reason why the 8-2-1 Hurricanes were leading the Eastern Conference with 17 points heading into Tuesday's games, riding a five-game winning streak.
"I know it's a long year ahead yet," said Staal, who was the guest of honor on the NHL's weekly teleconference Monday after winning player-of-the-week honors.
"We have 70-something games left and obviously this is only the beginning for our team. But I really like the group of guys we have and the way we're playing as a team."
Staal has recorded a point in all but one of Carolina's games this season, setting career highs with a hat trick and two four-point nights.
The Canes, who last week became the first team in NHL history to come back to win from two-goal deficits in four straight games, host the Toronto Maple Leafs at the RBC Center on Thursday. They're unbeaten in five games at home this season.
Staff writer Luke DeCock can be reached at 829-8947 or ldecock@newsobserver.com
Center is offensive player of month
Staal has 22 points in 11 games.
By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer
Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal is the NHL's offensive player of the month -- the first player from the franchise to earn monthly honors since Mike Rogers of the Hartford Whalers in December 1980.
Staal, who turned 21 on Saturday, received the recognition Tuesday after leading the NHL with 22 points in 11 games. He also was tied for fifth in plus-minus at plus-8.
He has a six-game scoring streak (four goals, 10 assists) and is a big reason why the 8-2-1 Hurricanes were leading the Eastern Conference with 17 points heading into Tuesday's games, riding a five-game winning streak.
"I know it's a long year ahead yet," said Staal, who was the guest of honor on the NHL's weekly teleconference Monday after winning player-of-the-week honors.
"We have 70-something games left and obviously this is only the beginning for our team. But I really like the group of guys we have and the way we're playing as a team."
Staal has recorded a point in all but one of Carolina's games this season, setting career highs with a hat trick and two four-point nights.
The Canes, who last week became the first team in NHL history to come back to win from two-goal deficits in four straight games, host the Toronto Maple Leafs at the RBC Center on Thursday. They're unbeaten in five games at home this season.
Staff writer Luke DeCock can be reached at 829-8947 or ldecock@newsobserver.com