We're into the second half of the hockey season, and the push for the playoffs begin!

Canes down a game and two forwards

Written by: Tyler Bodman on 21st May 2009

Canes down a game and two forwards | read this item

Injuries are a part of every team. If you’re going to be successful in the playoffs, staying healthy is one part; the other is how you deal with the injuries you get.

The Carolina Hurricanes are about to show what they are made of. After going through two full seven-game series relatively unscathed they were bit by the dreaded injury bug Monday night.

Erik Cole and Tuomo Ruutu are two of Carolinas most gritty players. The kind of guys you hate to face night after night and definitely the kind you can’t afford to lose in the playoffs.

“Those guys are irreplaceable,” reiterated Chad LaRose, who has stepped up in a major way for the Hurricanes. “We’re going to have to have guys step in and play. Those guys are big pieces of our team. You don’t want to say that they’re going to be easily missed. It would be tough to lose ‘em. But, you know, you got to move forward and have other people step in.”

Hurricanes head coach Paul Maurice acknowledges how big of a loss it is to lose two physical players in one game.

“Those are important pieces to what we do in our style,” said Maurice. “But, it won’t change our style that much. We still play pretty much the same way for everybody.”

Canes goalie, Cam Ward is still optimistic that both players will be back fairly quick. He knows how difficult it is for opposing teams to play against pests like Cole and Ruutu, especially for goalies in front of the net.

“Obviously, those are two valuable players to our team,” said Ward who has yet to lose a playoff series in his entire NHL career. “They know their bodies the best, so we’ll see what they have to say and then treat it appropriately.”

The Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t exactly disappointed that Cole and Ruutu won’t be around for game two but even Sidney Crosby can empathize with their situation.

“Yeah, they’re big parts of their team,” said Crosby. “But, you know, if anyone realizes that situation, it’s us. You know, we realize that when guys aren’t able to play, other guys step in and take that responsibility by themselves to really step up. That doesn’t change anything as far as the way we play.

“So, you know, we’ll see what that brings. But that’s not really something we’re going to worry about.”

Whatever the case may be Maurice isn’t overly concerned with the situation. With nine extra players his biggest question isn’t whom he inserts but whether or not to leave Jokinen at center or move him to a wing.

Jokinen has been playing extremely well at center and it would be almost a crime to break up what has worked thus far.

If the Canes want to have any chance at defeating the Penguins their subs are going to have to come in and play as though they’ve been playing all along

Topics: Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes, Chad LaRose, Erik Cole, Jussi Jokinen, Paul Maurice, Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby, Stanley Cup Playoffs, Third Round, Tuomo Ruutu