staalblog

Back Together

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:41:00-0600

There was a good amount of movement at this year's NHL trade deadline, and one move certainly provided a reuniting of good friends and former teammates. Erik Cole was traded back to the Carolina Hurricanes which is where he broke into the league and had played the past six seasons. Going back to Carolina also puts Cole back on the same line as his good buddy Eric Staal. "It's a great opportunity for me. I get to play with some great players again, so I'm excited," Cole said. "This is going to be so easy for me to come in here and play hard and prove my worth." Cole's impact to the lineup has been quite impressive in the two games since the trade. In his first game back, Cole scored his 17th goal of the season during the 'Canes 6-1 win against the Calgary Flames, and then he picked up four assists during Carolina's 9-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. During the 9-3 win, Eric Staal scored a career high four goals and picked up two assists for a total of six points. Cole assisted on two of Staal's goals. "That's one of those games that don't happen very often," Staal said. "It was a good win for our team, which was the bottom line. But it's fun getting points and being on the offensive side of the game." With his four goals, Staal now has 32 on the season. He now has gone four straight seasons with scoring at least 30 or more goals. You can be sure that he and Cole are happy to be back on the ice together again, looking to lead the 'Canes back into the playoffs. The Hurricanes currently sit in 9th place in the Eastern Conference, just one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot. They'll be looking to extend their winning streak to four games when they host the New York Rangers on Monday night.

Staal Earns First Star Honors

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:41:00-0600

NBH would like to congratulate Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes for being named the NHL's First Star of the week. Eric led the NHL in scoring this past week with five goals and four assists for a total of nine points. The Hurricanes won all three games they played by beating the Capitals, Flames and Lightning. Eric finished the week off in style by scoring a career high four goals during the team's 9-3 victory against Tampa Bay. His four goals and six points during the game tied single-game franchise records for the Hurricanes. For the season, Eric has a team high 32 goals and a total of 58 points.

Eric Staal 1 on 1

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:58:00-0600

Despite being just 24 years old, Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes has certainly has his share of experiences in the NHL. Nike Bauer recently caught up with the center to get his thoughts on the game of hockey, his pre-game rituals and what style of player he views himself as. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.

Jordan Staal 1 on 1

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:55:00-0600

Nike Bauer recently sat down with Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins and talked about the game of hockey. Listen to Jordan talk about his love for the game, what his pregame music is like and what it was like growing up in Thunder Bay.

Marc Staal 1 on 1

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:52:00-0600

Marc Staal of the Rangers is once again having a great season and playing some great defense for New York. Nike Bauer recently sat down with Marc and got his thoughts on the game of hockey, and joys of playing the game. Check out the video below and let us know your thoughts.

Staal Battle

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:24:00-0600

Jordan and Marc battled it out last night in Pittsburgh in a key Eastern Conference matchup between the Rangers and the Penguins. With the game tied at one in the third period, Jordan Staal gave the Penguins the lead when he scored his 15th goal of the season. Jordan now has seven points in his last eight games, including four goals. Marc didn't want to be shown up though, so he tried to help bring the Rangers back. He picked up his second goal of the season when he ripped a wrist shot home to make the score 4-2. The Rangers couldn't find any more offense though, as Jordan and the Pens came away with the 6-2 win. The win helped Pittsburgh jump back into a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot with 52 points, while the Rangers remain in fourth place in the conference. Marc and the Rangers will next be on the ice on Saturday when the travel to Boston to take on the first place Bruins, while Jordan and the Pens will take on New Jersey on Friday night.

Big Two Points

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:54:00-0600

Eric Staal and the Hurricanes wanted a win and needed a win and they got just that. Staal scored the game winning goal in the second period which gave the 'Canes a huge 2-1 win against his younger brother Jordan and the Pittsburgh Penguins. "They didn't clear the puck and I was down on top of the crease where I like to be and fortunately it went in," Staal said. With the victory, Carolina jumped over Pittsburgh in the standings with 51 points and into the final playoff spot. With the big goal, Eric now has 20 goals and 15 assists on the season. For his career, he now has four consecutive seasons with 20 or more goals. Pretty impressive for the 'Canes 24 year old. Having lost five in a row coming into the week, the Hurricanes wanted to get back on the winning side of things before heading into the All-Star break and they accomplished their goal by winning their last two. Eric will now make his way up to Montreal to represent Carolina and the Eastern Conference in the 2009 NHL All-Star Game.

Staal, Malkin Provide Spark

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:39:00-0600

On a night when the Penguins desperately needed a win, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal provided the spark they have been looking for. With the game tied at one in the second period, Malkin fired home his 17th goal of the season for his league leading 66th point. For Malkin, he now has six points in his last four games, including goals in back to back games. Later in the period, Staal picked up his 14th goal when he held off the Flyers defense and roofed a backhand to give the Pens a 3-1 lead. Staal now has goals in three straight games. It doesn't get any easier for Pittsburgh though, as they will be hosting the Southeast Division leading Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

Staal Inks New Deal

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:30:00-0600

Congrats are in order for Pittsburgh's Jordan Staal. Staal has signed a new four year contract with the club that will keep him a Penguin through the 2012-13 season. The new deal will take effect at the beginning of next season. Staal, who broke into the league as an 18 year old rookie, scored 29 goals in his first season, and has continued to mature as the years go on. So far on the season, Staal has scored 11 goals and picked up 10 assists. His all around play has been a strong point for the Penguins, as Staal is able to play in all aspects of the game, including the penalty kill and power play. "He's a good young player, we've always wanted to re-sign him. His best years are ahead of him," general manger Ray Shero said. Staal recently became the youngest player in NHL history to play in 200 career games. Again, congrats to Jordan on the new deal.

Another Trick For Staal

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:58:00-0600

Eric Staal once again picked up the Carolina Hurricanes and led them to a 5-4 victory against the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday night when he recorded his sixth career hat trick. Staal picked up his three goals in just over four minutes of the third period. With his team on the power play and trailing 3-2 in the third period, Eric tied the game at three when he tucked home his 15th goal of the season on the backhand. Once again trailing, Eric tied the game at four with a lazer of a shot to the top corner from the right circle. He then capped off the comeback with an end to end rush. He picked up the puck in his own defensive zone, rushed threw the neutral zone, got by a defenseman and fired home the game winning goal to complete his sixth career hat trick. "I took it to the net hard," Staal said. "I created some opportunities." Staal now has 17 goals on the season, with eight in his last 10 games. "The big fellow is one of the great players in the game," Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said. After younger brother Jordan picked up a hat trick earlier in the year, Eric has now picked up the last two. "You want to get as many as you can," Eric said. "It's fun to have them." Eric and the 'Canes will be hosting the best in the East when the Boston Bruins come to town on Saturday night.

Staal Powers 'Canes

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:01:00-0600

Eric Staal has continued to preach patience and that when the time is right, goals will start to come in bunches. Well, it seems he was exactly right. Eric scored two power play goals last night to lead the Hurricanes past the Canadiens during their 3-2 win. "For an offensive guy you want as many power plays as you can get," Staal said. "If the whole game was a power play I would take it." Eric now has five goals in his last four games and 13 on the season. Carolina is 2-0-2 in their last four games and have moved into sole possession of second place in the Southeast Conference. Eric and the 'Canes will host the Florida Panthers on Thursday night and will look to continue their winning ways.

Big Comeback In Philly

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:02:00-0600

There was a huge comeback in Philadelphia last night as the Hurricanes and Flyers took to the ice. The 'Canes were led by Eric Staal, who had two goals and an assist and helped Carolina jump out to a 5-1 lead entering the third period. His second goal of the night was an absolute rocket to the top shelf, which gives him 11 goals on the season now. Staal's first goal came in the early moments of the game and gave him his 300th career point. With the two goals, he now has 20 career multi-goal games. Despite being down 5-1, the Flyers kept battling and came all the way back to tie the game at five when Simon Gagne put home his 15th goal of the year with less than two minutes to go in the game. With no scoring in overtime, the two clubs went into a shootout. It was there that Gagne and captain Mike Richards gave the Flyers the extra point they were looking for. Gagne made a quick heads up move and avoided a poke check to give Philly the early lead. Then, Richards roofed a backhand to seal the win for the Flyers. "We didn't feel very confident going out there being down 5-1," Gagne said. "Ninety-five percent of the time you end up losing the game. The crowd got energized, gave us energy and fired us up." Staal and the Hurricanes will look to rebound from the tough loss on Saturday when they travel to New York to take on Marc Staal and the Rangers. Meanwhile, the Flyers will host their cross state rivals when the Pittsburgh Penguins come to town on Saturday afternoon.

Game Winner For Staal

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:58:00-0600

In a key matchup between division rivals, Eric Staal made sure his Carolina Hurricanes got a much needed two points against the Washington Capitals. With under five minutes to go in the game and the teams tied at one, Staal scored the game winning goal when he took a pass from Sergei Samsonov and tucked the puck home on the left side of the net. The 3-1 win pulls the 'Canes to within 4 points of the first place Capitals in the Southeast division. "You don't want to give them any points," Staal said. "It was a gritty win. I thought we competed extremely hard. We'll take it." The win was key for Carolina as it snapped a three game losing streak as well. Eric now has nine goals on the season and will lead Carolina into Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

Anything You Can Do...

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:34:00-0600

With his younger brother Jordan getting all the attention lately, Eric decided it was time to bring some of the fame back his way. After Jordan's thrilling third period hat trick and four point night against the Red Wings, Eric matched his younger brother by recording his fifth career hat trick last night during the teams 5-2 win against the Phoenix Coyotes. Eric's first two goals tied the game at one and two respectively, but then he gave the 'Canes the lead for good when he put home his third goal of the night. "It's about burying your head, working hard, not changing your game, getting to those areas where goals are scored -- and for me, goals are scored in the front of the net and those traffic areas," Staal said. "Eventually, they were going to fall -- I knew that." Eric's parents, Henry and Linda, were also in town for last night's game and their eldest son certainly put on a show for them to remember. Eric also commented on whether having Wayne Gretzky sitting behind the other team's bench served as extra motivation. "Any time the best player ever is watching and coaching against you it definitely adds a little bit more to the game, I wanted to show my stuff and be ready to play and ultimately help our team get a win." Eric and the Hurricanes will look to build off of the good win as they will take on the Nashville Predators on Sunday afternoon at home.

Staying in Carolina

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:33:00-0600

NBH would like to congratulate Eric Staal on his new contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. Staal, who was drafted by the 'Canes second overall back in 2003, has reportedly signed a new seven year contract that will keep him in Carolina through the 2015-16 season. The 23-year old center has become the face of the franchise and has led the team in goals, assists, and points in two of the last three seasons. Last season Eric finished with 38 goals and 44 assists for a total of 82 points. Eric recently joined the NBH crew at the annual Athlete Event, and he expressed how excited he was about the upcoming season with the Hurricanes. The team will be looking to get back to playoffs and duplicate the Cup winning season they produced in 2005-06. Once again, congrats to Eric on the new contract, it will be great to watch him continue to mature and lead the Hurricanes throughout the season.