The Carolina Hurricanes just got done beating Pittsburgh to open a Raleigh homestand, and there was a distinct Albany flavor to the victory.

Defenseman Joey Mormina had an eventful night in his NHL debut. He hit the post with a shot in the first period, then broke the nose of Pens' forward Jeff Taffe in a second-period collision.

Defenseman Tim Conboy was active as well, stepping in to challenge Pittsburgh's Nathan Smith with a skirmish that only earned unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and not fighting majors just 5:32 in. Conboy was standing up for captain Rod Brind'Amour, lost to a knee injury on the game's first shift when he was sandwiched by Smith and Georges Laraque near center ice.

Another injury up front for Carolina. Keith Aucoin, it was nice to know ya. Ryan Bayda, same to you. Bayda rang a shot off the post midway through the third period for his first goal of the season.

At this point, Rats coach Tom Rowe may have to come out of retirement. Heck, if I was still in skating shape, I'd offer my services, as well. Always considered myself an Aucoin-type player: small and fast, but without his hands or missing teeth. Don't think I ever scored a goal farther than five feet from the net.

For all the game's stats, check out NHL.com's event summary at www.nhl.com. One of the most interesting was defenseman Casey Borer, called up today with Conboy and Mormina, whose 34 shifts were surpassed only by Niclas Wallin's 36. Borer had 18:49 of ice time.

Chuckled at Carolina broadcaster Chuck Kaiton's analysis of the Canes' lineup, which he said was being held together with "bubble gum and paper clips." Loved it. The question is, what's going to keep the Rats together now?