This really isn’t about where the season has gone…although that really does bug me. It seems like I just went to the Caniac Carnival yesterday…siigh.

Anyway, this article really is about the shootout loss to the Caps last night. The Canes could have virtually locked down the SE if they had taken both points in regulation, but apparently the Alex Ovechkins were not going to go down that easily.

The Canes basically got outskated for most of the night, but due to the heroics of Cam Ward making a season high 42 saves and some fluky goals the Canes took the game to OT.  Much due to the power play the refs gave the Caps in overtime the Canes didn’t register a shot on goal during the extra 5 minutes. In the shootout Hamilton tried the same move he attempted during the Panthers game shootout….and missed AGAIN. Samsonov’s shot was easily stopped by Huet. Staal got a bit closer but hit the post. The look on his face when he missed was pure disappointment in himself.

I have to give some credit to Ward because he did stop Semin, and more importantly Ovechkin. Kozlov’s shot made it through easily and was the game winner. It’s a tough break to lose in the shootout, but it happened.

The Caps are now 4 points behind the Canes with 5 games left to go for both teams. Every game is a must win for the Canes and they continue down the stretch on Friday against the Thrashers at home. We should look to improve our 8-1-1 March record and get an important 2 points!