Game Seven awaits

So we move on to a Game 7 after a fired up Carolina Hurricane team played their best game of the series and dominated the visiting New Jersey Devils 4-0 to tie the Eastern Quarterfinal series at 3 apiece with the deciding game tomorrow night at the Rock.
Since its tough to describe anything when one does not score,its on to.....

Hell Raisers

1) A combination of a talented and desperate team holding home ice against a less than sharp team usually means a lopsided game and this one was just that.
The first five minutes was tight and looked like another great game,but a penalty on Mike Rupp (deserved) changed things and it was all Carolina from there.

2) I hammer on the southern teams for their lack of fans a lot,but the Carolina crowd made a difference last night.
The crowd was loud,into the game and acted like they weren't given free comp tickets.
Now if they can do that when the playoff aren't on line,I will gain even more respect for the Hurricane fans.

3) I have given compliments to Mike Mottau and Colin White during the series,but they were absolutely awful last night.
The Devils defenders have been less than stellar for the most part and will need to pick up their game tomorrow and especially against either possible opponent in Round 2-Pittsburgh or Washington....

4) Jamie Langenbrunner returned to the ice last night,but Bryce Salvador continued to miss time.
No word on a Salvador return for Game 7.

5) I dislike Eric Staal,but there can be no doubt that he was the dominant player last night.
Staal has the ability to be an elite player,but it seems that he doesn't always come to play every night,at least on the times that I have seen him.....

Bonus Rounds

Where have you gone Patrik Elias?

This would be so much easier to take if this was the Hartford Whalers wouldn't it?
At least hearing Brass Bonanza would have taken a little edge off four goals against...


The Pirates took games from San Diego on Saturday 10-1 and Sunday 8-3.
Zach Duke won Saturday to move to 3-1 with a one run effort over eight and a third innings,while Ross Ohlendorf beat Padre ace Jake Peavy to move to 2-2 on the year.
The Pirates are in Milwaukee tonight to start a three game set against the Brewers.

Pirate Hooks

1) I missed yesterdays game and only listened to Saturday's,but the Pirates are thus far banking some wins against teams that are more on their level,
I still don't see the .500 record that some are talking about,but a reasonable start before the trade deadline yard sale could help them avoid 100 losses...

2) Nate McLouth missed the entire series,but is still on the active roster.
No word on his status for the Brewer set.

3) Jack Wilson was placed on the DL with an injured finger and Brian Bixler was recalled from Indianapolis to take his place.
Here is hoping that Bixler is used as the full time starter in Wilson's absence as he should have been last season during a Wilson hiatus.

4) This could be Bixler's last chance at having a Pirate future and he should know it.
Brian knocked two runs in Sunday's loss
If Bixler can make the basic plays and not be a total rally killer at the plate,the Pirates could feel better about possibly adding Wilson to the trade block later this summer.

5) Two more Adam LaRoche homers?Five in April when his April total from the last five years was 11?
Keep up the hot hitting!

Bonus Round
Craig Hansen was also placed on the disabled list with neck spasms.
Hansen is ineligible to go to Indianapolis full time without clearing waivers,but he could go there on a rehab assignment when healthy.
Evan Meek was recalled from the I-Indians to replace Hansen on the roster.

Pitching Matchup
Pittsburgh:Jeff Karstens (1-0 3.60 ERA) at Milwaukee:Braden Looper (2-0 2.12 ERA) 8:05

IF work doesn't call,I hope to use Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Thursday afternoon for Browns and Seahawks draft recaps and Pirate prospects series.
It is amazing how working a little extra takes things off the rails a bit.

Photo Credits
Hockey:Jerry Broome-AP Photo
Bixler:Lenny Ignelzi-AP Photo