In defense of Wardo

I haven't been following the pre-season all that closely, which is why I'm surprised to learn that people are already debating the value of Cam Ward versus Michael Leighton. Bubba at Canes Country provides his usual great analysis as well as neatly summarizes the Canes' past rivalries in net.

Bubba makes an excellent point about the load that's been settled on Wardo's shoulders for the past two seasons. Between the absolute lack of support from Johnny Grahame and our non-existent defense, I think Cam has held up okay.

My thought is that if Leighton is on a hot streak, he perhaps should start on opening night and then stay in net for as long as his streak holds. Let's see how he holds up.

Other teams, though, have "The Guy," like Brodeur is for the Devils. Can Ward fulfill that kind of a role for us, provided he's got adequate backup? I think he can. I think looking back over his career proves he's not a fluke, and that he's got many good years left in him.

A post in which the author finally releases her claws and drops from the ceiling

I have tickets to the home opener.

Yeah.

And, I will soon have in my hot little hands, tickets to at least 15 more games this season.

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, if the guys could just stop getting injured for five minutes...

I'll take my happiness where I can get it

Chip Alexander of Lord Stanley's Blog reports today that the Warchief was on the ice. There's a picture and everything!

Okay, he was on the ice in sneakers, but it still did something for my morale.

Also I'm pumped about tickets. We're buying into a block with some friends who are STH, and we get to pick this week! Yay!

Bring on the season, quick!

It's the first day of training camp!!!

Drop 'em, boys, and cough! (Hee hee.)

Welcome back!

On a related note, it's also Joni Pitkanen's 25th birthday. Many happy returns to our new d-man with arguably the funniest-sounding name in the NHL.

I could have done without the graphic description of Willie's ruptured tendon

The N&O reports that Chad LaRose heard the unmistakable "pop" of Justin Williams' busted Achilles tendon. Ew. Ew! EWW!!!

Jeff O'Neill is hoping to fill J. Willie's spot by proving himself at training camp, though he says it's not the way he wanted to win said opportunity. Whatever.

On the bright side, no one got injured today.

*races to knock on some wood*

And she's back on the ledge again...

Well the hits just keep on comin'...

The N&O reports that Justin Williams had surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon and will be out four to six months.

We're so screwed.

Expletive deleted

I just this minute learned about Rod's knee surgery.

What the hell?

If he tweaked it during the "Fun Run" - how the hell can we expect him to make it through a season of hockey??? Anyone? Anyone?

I am FREAKING out.

The "third" jersey

Overall, I like it.

What I like best about it is that the rest of the uni is black - the pants, the helmet and skates.

I could do without the squares along the bottom of the jersey. I think it's too much. The logo and the numbers do enough to break up the black.

But I love the white stripe around the red numbers and the way the names look on the back.

Thumbs up.

Brush with greatness

Guess who was standing next to me at the post office on Thursday?

Jesse Boulerice, on his way to Chicago. He was from before I jumped on the Canes bandwagon, so I have no idea if he was great or not. Feel free to school me in the comments.