2006 Stanley Cup Champions: The Carolina Hurricanes!
Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Sports
Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals is always a nail biter. The best trophy in professional sports is on the line and it takes 3 full periods of good hockey to win it. Carolina played 3 full periods. Edmonton only played 2.
The first period was all Carolina as they came out running and gunning. They must have had a great pep-talk from coach Peter Laviolette because they scored 1:26 into the first period. Edmonton pressed late in the first, but were unable to find the equalizer.
Carolina’s Frantisek Kaberle scored the Stanley Cup winner on the powerplay to give the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead at 4:18 of the 2nd period. The goal was a real dagger in the back of the Oilers. It did motivate them, though, but they didn’t score soon and often enough.
Fernando Pisani scored Edmonton’s only goal 1:03 into the 3rd period. The Oilers gained a bit of momentum from the goal and continued to press. A few minutes later Pisani drove to the net with Raffi Torres and looked like he had a sure goal. Carolina goaltender Cam Ward made an amazing stop with his left leg to keep the 2-1 lead alive. A Carolina empty-netter with 1:01 left sealed the deal for the Hurricanes.
Rookie goaltender Cam Ward stirred Patrick Roy-style memories as he played game after amazing game on his way to being selected as the the Conn Smythe Trophy winner. He won 15 games in the playoffs including two shutouts.
It was the first Stanley cup for veterans Rod Brind’Amour, Glen Wesley, Doug Weight and Bret Hedican. Ex-Flame Mike Commodore finally got to raise the Stanley Cup this season.
Greg is the founder of Red Mile Blog has been following the Flames through good times and bad since they arrived in Calgary in the early 80s. He has written hundreds of articles on the Flames since 2005 and considers himself an expert on hockey inconsistency and frustration. He shoots right and usually plays defence, but has been known to jump up in the rush. He is a 2-time CAHL men's league champion and knows the sweet taste of beer from a Cup.
