Hurricanes fire Maurice...and more

From a personal standpoint, I don't like the firing of Hurricanes Head Coach Paul Maurice. There isn't a player in that dressnig room taht can look themselves in the mirror and say they have done all they could to help the team win.

From the professional side, this move just had to be made. The change at the top (Kirk Muller was hired later in the day on Monday to replace Maurice), might be what this team needs, and given the calendar, there is still plenty of time to turn things around.

Paul Maurice is a good hockey coach. He knows the game, and has a solid system. This Hurricanes team simply wasn't responding to the message any longer, and add in teh struggles of late, with the team losing 10 of their last 13, something had to give. If the coaching change doesn't wake this group up, expect even more changes down the road. Yes, I am talking about trades.

What do you know about Muller? Here's what I know. When Muller was a forward in the NHL, he was a guy I hated to see playing against my favorite team. He was tough, gritty, and talented around the net. He played with an edge, and I would suspect he will coach with one as well. No doubt, Muller was a guy I would love to see in my team's corbner, and I think Hurricanes fans will take a liking to him, once he gets acclimated.

Carolina Panthers picked up win number 3, a 27-19 decision over Indianapolis. It wasn't exactly easy, as the Colts were driving in the games dying minutes, but a timely interception by Sherrod Martin sealed the win. Not often to see the Panthers running Victory formation, but certainly a welcome sight. Test now is to maintain the good vibes against Tampa Bay this Sunday. Good thing for Carolina is that the Bucs defense ranks 31st in total defense, something the Panthers offense should be able to take advantage of.

Big weekend of hgih school football championship action coming up. The 4AA title game between Page (Greensboro) and Garner can be seen on news 14 Carolina with a 3pm kick from BB&T Field in Winston-Salem. ALL of the other state title games can be seen LIVE as well. Hope you can see the games, if you can't be there. Here is that schedule:

NCHSAA FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ON TIME WARNER CABLE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

7:30PM

1A GAME-NC STATE

JONES VS MURPHY

TWC CHANNEL 520

3AA GAME-UNC

NORTHERN GUILFORD VS CREST

TWC CHANNEL 521

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

11AM

1AA GAME-WAKE FOREST

AYDEN-GRIFTON VS SWAIN COUNTY

TWC CHANNEL 522

2A GAME-NC STATE

TARBORO VS LINCOLNTON

TWC CHANNEL 520

3A GAME-UNC

HAVELOCK VS WEST ROWAN

TWC CHANNEL 521-UNC

3PM

2AA GAME-NC STATE

KINSTON VS WEST STOKES

TWC CHANNEL 520

3PM

4AA GAME-WAKE FOREST

GARNER VS PAGE

NEWS 14 CAROLINA TWC CHANNEL 14 OR 1114

7PM

4A GAME-WAKE FOREST

SCOTLAND VS PORTER RIDGE

TWC CHANNEL 522