Carolina Hurricanes: Will Mo stay or will he go?

Jamie Sabau/Getty Imag

The Carolina Hurricanes have lost 8 out of their last 10 games.

To say the pressure is on in Raleigh, N.C. for Maurice and his team to turn things around is an understatement.

This is Maurice's second time leading the Hurricanes as he has been part of the franchise and organization off and on since 1995.

Heading into Sunday's game against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs at the RBC Center, the surroundings may seem familiar for many previously and currently from TO.

Maurice and five of his players (Tomas Kaberle, Tim Brent, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Jiri Tlusty, Jay Harrison) have all been a part of the Maple Leafs organization in their past.

Many transplanted Hurricanes and hockey fans in general hail from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and when the Leafs are in town the RBC Center's red seats will have a large amount of blue-sweatered visitors occupying them.

If the Hurricanes win does Maurice keep his job? Who knows.

If the Hurricanes lose does Maurice lose his job? Who knows.

One thing is certain, the first match-up out of four for both of these teams in 2011-201 will provide for some great entertainment and excitement.

Hockey in Toronto always does.

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Playing with sticks of another kind

Many times there are sporting events that take place on a national scale that not many people know about. 

This past weekend the 2011 National Collegiate Golf Championship (NCGC) tournament completed it's 10th annual playing at Paiute Golf Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

100 collegiate, competitive recreation golfers representing 28 universities and colleges (including NC State University) from all over the United States earned their way to be eligible to compete for this national championship two-person scramble event put on by the Collegiate Golf Alliance (CGA).

What is a competitive recreational golfer you ask? Any golfer who is a current university/college student and is not on a varsity NCAA roster is eligible to compete in CGA local qualifier and national tournament events. In addition, faculty and staff and alumni and community members affiliated with their employing institutions and alma maters respectively are eligible to participate too.

The bottom line is that there is no better way to have the opportunity to compete for a national title in a place like Las Vegas in November than playing in the NCGC - the amateur golf world's hidden secret. 

Congratulations to the University of Southern California for taking this year's title with a tournament-record low score of 62 (-10) on the daunting Wolf Course at Paiute.

If you haven't heard about this event before, now you have. 

Check out more of what the CGA has to offer at your university or college. 

"I'm not good enough" is not an excuse not to play either. 

Recent news from the Raleigh Sports Examiner:

Hurricanes 3-2 loss to Devils chips away at confidence

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OHL justice handed down after Murphy suffers concussion

Ryan Murphy - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

On Tuesday, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) handed down its strongest punishment to date this season in assessing Pittsburgh prospect and Niagara IceDogs forward Tom Kuhnhackl a 20-game suspension as a result of a hit he placed on Carolina Hurricanes prospect and Kitchener Ranger Ryan Murphy last Friday night.

A copy of the rationale used by the league to assess the punishment is available for view on the OHL's web site, under the Discipline section.

Even though Murphy skated off on his own after the hit and played a shift afterward, it has been reported by various sources, including the Waterloo Record, that he suffered a concussion as a result of the incident.

Aside from keeping him from further play with the Rangers, the concussion has denied Murphy the opportunity to play in the Subway Super Series featuring OHL all-stars against the best young players from Russia and puts into question his ability to compete for Team Canada at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC).


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Hurricanes future on defense gets hit hard

Ryan Murphy

Ryan Murphy, the Carolina Hurricanes' top pick (12^th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft was hit hard during an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) game between his junior club, the Kitchener Rangers, and the Niagara IceDogs on Friday night in Kitchener, Ontario.

According to a report from the Waterloo Record, Murphy was hit by IceDogs player Tom Kuhnhackl on a play behind the Kitchener net.

Kuhnhackl appeared to have left his feet before he contacted Murphy into the boards leaving the Carolina prospect on the ice lying motionless for a time before getting up and leaving the ice surface on his own.

Murphy is not playing in the Rangers lineup in Saturday's return game against the IceDogs and is listed with an upper-body injury.

The OHL suspended Kuhnhackl for Saturday's game and further suspension is under consideration by the league.

There has been no subsequent report on Murphy's condition since Friday night's game which has many in Kitchener and Raleigh, N.C. concerned on the future of the talented young defenseman.

It's not the first time that Murphy has been sidelined with a similar injury as he sat out a few games back in March 2011 after taking an elbow to the face in a game against the Kingston Frontenacs.

Carolina lacks jump in 5-1 loss to Washington

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Great week of NHL play with more to come in Raleigh

The Carolina Hurricanes (5-4-3) are only three points out of first place in the NHL Southeast Division and are in the midst of playing 10 out of 15 of their games during the month of November at the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C.

If you get a chance, buy at ticket and cheer them on - great packages are available. If you're cheering on their competition, have fun just the same - the more the merrier!!

That is how great rivalries are created (Buffalo Sabres fans - hint, hint)

Sure, the college football is entering its final stretch and college basketball along Tobacco is starting up, but you always can find time to watch the hottest game on ice.

The fast and grinding style that the Hurricanes have taken to playing this season will not disappoint when watching the team play live.

Catch Ice today!

Hurricanes feeling the effects of the grind

The Carolina Hurricanes are prepared to take on the division-leading Washington Capitals who come to Raleigh on Friday night as the two teams will clash for the second time this season, and for the first time at the RBC...

 

 

Hurricanes diffuse Lightning in 4-2 win

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Boucher taking it for the team in Carolina

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Ward earns top billing in holding off Blackhawks in 3-0 win

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Raleigh Sports Roundup - headline review of pucks and hoops

Carolina hoping for the ‘goal rush’ to hit against Chicago

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Hurricanes escape Boston unbeaten

Elsa, Getty Images

The Carolina Hurricanes were part of one of the NHL's most physically-engaged games of the season earlier in the week as they once again claimed a victory over the Stanley Cup champions, but in their own house, the TD Banknorth Garden.

Not necessarily a team to back down from confrontation, Carolina stood its ground as the Bruins led by captain Zdeno Chara, among others, lost their cool in trying to intimidate Hurricanes throughout the game.

It can't be described any differently.

Regardless, the win extended Carolina's streak to 3 games in a row and left the Bruins seeking to find what they had last season.

It's early in the season, but the excitement that the Hurricanes and Bruins presented hockey fans around the league on that night will only ignite more passion from the players and coaches in competing for a playoff spot and the chance to compete for the the Stanley Cup as the season progresses.

Life seems to be pretty good for hockey fans right now.


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Rob Carr, Getty Images

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