Surviving Russia and Praying to the Hockey Gods

As has been tweeted, retweeted, blogged, Facebooked and live streamed (gotta love the internet), the Canes lost their final preseason game to SKA St. Petersburg today/tonight/last night (I still haven't quite gotten the hang of the time difference). I could go on and on about how this was an insanely chippy game (one could probably toss around the word "dirty" without much argument), but instead of a recap filled with quotes and stats, I'm going to let the photos do the talking (with some added commentary).

I sure am glad Eric Stall and Jossi Jokonen were able to make the trip. I hear they're great players!

All of the hope and promise of a great game is present at warm-ups.

The in-arena accomodations are clearly a little different than those in the NHL.

You know, it's a shame the team missed out on the Olympic Opening Ceremonies...I mean pre-game festivities. How often do you get to see violin players rocking out and flying acrobats at hockey games?

Here are the aforementioned acrobats. Yes one of them is wearing a Staal jersey. No that's not some sort of crack at his manhood.

Each player got All-Star treatment as they were introduced individually. Babs got the loudest round of applause (possibly the only time I'll ever type that sentence).

The team stands at attention for the USA national anthem. Fun note, it's only the national anthem for 8 of the Hurricanes (and that counts Brandon Sutter who would probably pick the Canadian anthem if given a choice).

Speaking of Americans...here's Bainer looking...well I'll let you fill in the blank.

See how lovely it is? Such international friendliness-all of these guys coming together to play the sport they love. This is going to be GREAT!

After the ceremonial face-off (I'll give you one guess on who won), the game can finally begin!

Dalpe had some nice chances this afternoon/evening/yesterday.
Someone help me out with this please.

Clearly the friendliness and coming together has ended and an all-out brawl has begun. Before the end of the game we'd lose Gleason (fighting), Corvo (to injury), Staal (safety), Ward (safety), Pitkanen (spearing), and Harrison (fighting). That's in addition to all of the time we spent in the penalty box.

For the record, it took Tim landing about 2 punches (with his gloves still on mind you) before this joker was on the ice bleeding. Gleason for Emperor indeed.

And a gratuitous Tim Gleason shot. Just because.

Skinner (completely obstructed by the beastliness of Jussi) scored a goal and had some very pretty plays throughout the game.

This is a nice shot of the players left on the bench by the time we got to the third period.

And Jay Harrison managed to win a fight. I'd be ashamed if I were Golovkov.
No one loses to Jay Harrison. NO ONE.

Joni has forgotten that in order for his "sneaky nasty" to be effective, it has to oh I don't know actually be sneaky.

Jeff Skinner (who is a hockey playing doll) received a bright, shiny trophy for being the Hurricanes' player of the game (or Man of the Match). I'm not sure if they do this for every game in Russia or if this was special just for us.

Clearly the game did not go as planned (unless of course "play dirty as all heck" was your gameplan; in which case, congrats Russia), but all of our guys made it on the plane and to Finland in what I can assume to be one piece. Now they can rest and focus on what really matters: hitting the saunas! Oh and bringing home 4 points.