Price Was Right and the Hurricanes are Headed Back to the Playoffs!
2018-04-09-Raleigh, NC
It will be easier for GM Matthew Rose and HC Willie Desjardins to sleep in the final days of the 2018 MRFHL season then it was for them just one season ago. The Hurricanes, with their recent win over the New York Rangers, have clinched their second-straight post-season berth after having to wait till the final day of the regular season last year to see if they would make it in. The storyline was the same though, as the Hurricanes had an awful start to the season that at one point saw them at 11-25-3. Since then, they have gone on to post a 32-4-4 record to shoot up the standings where they are currently fighting for the 3rd seed in the Brendl Division.
"To be honest, it's not the way we drew it up at all prior to the commencement of the season. It goes without saying it's not what you want but we're not complaining" said coach Willie Desjardins, "our guys deserve a lot of credit because they never gave up and bought in to try and fight back into a playoff spot". Whatever Desjardins has done has certainly worked but it's not as if he hasn't gotten some help from management. At the trade deadline, GM Rose went out and acquired Matt Cullen and Carey Price who have made immediate impacts on their new team.
Price has posted an 8-1-3 record since the trade to go along with 2.54 GAA and a .921 SV%. Cullen meanwhile has posted 10 points in the 6 games he's played for the Hurricanes after dealing with a minor injury almost matching the 12 points it took him 66 games to achieve with the Red Wings. "Price has been lights out for us and exactly what we've needed" said GM Rose, "and Cullen was brought in for his PK ability yet has proved to us that he can chip in offensively. The guys were playing their butts off leading up to the deadline and we felt good about our group so we chose to upgrade in certain areas. I think a lot of credit needs to go to Willie Desjardins for the turnaround on this team. He has been incredible for our players and a big reason why we're now sitting in a playoff spot. I know it's early but I would be shocked if he never won the Jack Adams". Strong words from Rose but maybe he's not that far off as this kind of season turnaround should not go unnoticed.
The Hurricanes only have 3 games remaining in their schedule but despite having clinched a playoff spot, their first round opponent has yet to be decided. They could possibly face one of Pittsburgh, Columbus, or Toronto to begin their march to Lord Stanley's Cup. "We are going to have a tough opponent regardless of who we face" said Willie Desjardins, "we aren't hoping to play anyone particular. I have confidence that our group is resilient enough that we are going to be a challenge to get through regardless of who we play. The plan right now is to give Carey one more game before letting Forsberg play our last two. We want to have our team rested and ready to go for playoffs".
It's an exciting time to be a Hurricanes fan as their past struggles of missing the post-season are now amiss. Buckle up Canes fan, it's going to be a wild Hurricane!
Haha told you everyone I trade turns to gold. Good to see matt cullen performing
Price Was Right and the Hurricanes are Headed Back to the Playoffs!
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