JR CANES SIZE CAUSES AVALANCHE IN COLORADO

Carolina

The Carolina Hurricanes are not a team to be taken lightly in the physical aspects of the game. Up front, the club boasts one of the more large and physical groups of young men in the league. Colorado learned that quickly as their defensive unit were no match for the big size up front of the junior Canes.

Big wingers Corey Perry and Mark Mancari each led the way with three points while Jonathan Boutin made 21 stops and improved to 1-1-1 as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-2..

"This was a huge game for us, going into Colorado and laying a serious beating on their club," said scrappy winger Brian McGrattan. "We laid the hits, we dropped the bombs and we buried our chances. What more could we want out of this game?"

The Canes led the way throughout most of the game and it started off quickly on a Mark Mancari goal, less than two minutes in.

"That was the goal we needed to get going," said Shea Weber. "The team wanted to make a statement early and that was it. Mark hammered a shot that was cruising and I really did not think the goalie even saw it. He has a huge shot and it is not much fun in practice."

In a creative move made late last night, the Hurricanes also moved right winger Jeremy Colliton, a winger known mostly for his stellar defensive play, to the first unit on the power play. After scoring mid way through the first, Colliton made good on his offensive gravy time and buried his second of the game, third of the year.

Of note, late in the third, Ryan O'Byrne began a tirade at center ice when Sault Ste. Marie native Jordan Smith decided to intervene. It did not take long before O’Byrne wanted a piece of the second year defender and with that, the two went off. In a huge exchange of rights, the two led the way to a stellar 1 minute tilt, which was abruptly ended when Jordan caught the much larger O'Byrne with a monster uppercut square on the jaw of the Avalanche defenseman. A clear knockout for Jordan who is making a name for himself as one of the young up and coming brawlers in the league.

The Canes have an interesting change as the team has the next three nights off. A little time for some positive reflection might be just what is needed for the young club.