WOYWITKA, COLAIACOVO, UNSUNG HEROES
Carolina
When the Hurricanes sent superstar defenseman Scott Niedermayer to San Jose in the early portions of the season, the thought was the Canes were downgrading themselves heavily at the position with youngster Jeff Woywitka being slotted as his replacement. That assumption could not be any more wrong however.
"We figured we were getting a competitor," said head coach Joel Quenneville, "but this kid has come to town and has been about as strong in his own end as anyone here, McKee included. I cannot stress enough how valuable he has been and full credit to our scouts for recognizing his talents."
Woywitka, in 37 games, has picked up 1 goal and 16 assists for a total o17 points. The defenseman, however, leads the Carolina Hurricanes with an incredible +24 rating and has also helped raise the level of play of defensive partner Carlo Colaiacovo, who has started to fulfill his expectations he left after his stellar rookie season.
"Jeff is just a calming influence out there," said Carlo. "When I feel the need to pinch, I really don't feel like I am letting anyone down because he is so strong in his own end. I think the two of us compliment one another very well. He is the aggressive, defense first guy and I try and make things happen offensively. Overall, it has worked."
The duo has made a lot of teams take notice. While the tandem is a defense first pairing, as is the case with the Hurricanes in general, the two are also excellent at making the initial pass out of the zone. The usual recipients of the passes are speedy left winger Jeff Friesen and slick center Kyle Wellwood, who are both off to career years.
"You gotta be on your toes with those two back there," said Wellwood. "They'll catch you on stride and burn defenses all by themselves. They’ve been great back there and it's been a great time playing with the two of them."
Carlo, who is sitting at 5 goals and 17 assists, has stepped it up as of late and entered the statistical Norris trophy watch board, a stat which has little stock for the defenseman but is an indicator of the importance of his play.
"I try and make plays," said Carlo. "If you are steady and do the small things right, things tend to work out."
When the Hurricanes sent superstar defenseman Scott Niedermayer to San Jose in the early portions of the season, the thought was the Canes were downgrading themselves heavily at the position with youngster Jeff Woywitka being slotted as his replacement. That assumption could not be any more wrong however.
"We figured we were getting a competitor," said head coach Joel Quenneville, "but this kid has come to town and has been about as strong in his own end as anyone here, McKee included. I cannot stress enough how valuable he has been and full credit to our scouts for recognizing his talents."
Woywitka, in 37 games, has picked up 1 goal and 16 assists for a total o17 points. The defenseman, however, leads the Carolina Hurricanes with an incredible +24 rating and has also helped raise the level of play of defensive partner Carlo Colaiacovo, who has started to fulfill his expectations he left after his stellar rookie season.
"Jeff is just a calming influence out there," said Carlo. "When I feel the need to pinch, I really don't feel like I am letting anyone down because he is so strong in his own end. I think the two of us compliment one another very well. He is the aggressive, defense first guy and I try and make things happen offensively. Overall, it has worked."
The duo has made a lot of teams take notice. While the tandem is a defense first pairing, as is the case with the Hurricanes in general, the two are also excellent at making the initial pass out of the zone. The usual recipients of the passes are speedy left winger Jeff Friesen and slick center Kyle Wellwood, who are both off to career years."You gotta be on your toes with those two back there," said Wellwood. "They'll catch you on stride and burn defenses all by themselves. They’ve been great back there and it's been a great time playing with the two of them."
Carlo, who is sitting at 5 goals and 17 assists, has stepped it up as of late and entered the statistical Norris trophy watch board, a stat which has little stock for the defenseman but is an indicator of the importance of his play.
"I try and make plays," said Carlo. "If you are steady and do the small things right, things tend to work out."
posted by Lohaus at 1:11 PM
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