nccanes
01-04-2010, 02:12 PM
I really don't like all these decade ending lists we've been bombarded with in the media for the last several weeks, but this one is kinda fun.
Since I'm not a fan of lists, I'm not good at second guessing, but maybe we can do that here?
Fun that I've been at all the home games listed (and watched the rest on TV).
http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=512262
By David Droschak
Editor’s note: The third in a three-part series highlighting the Carolina Hurricanes’ accomplishments this past decade as seen through the eyes of www.carolinahurricanes.com feature writer David Droschak, who has covered the team since its North Carolina inception.
Few, if any teams in the NHL packed as many dramatic and exhilarating moments into a decade as the Carolina Hurricanes from 2000-09. In the postseason alone, the Canes won 15 overtime games while settling into the RBC Center, and won a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. Carolina also hosted an NHL Entry Draft, selected a player by the name of Eric Staal and retired the jerseys of two of the franchise’s greatest players.
“For a relatively short history we’ve had a lot of great moments, which is pretty cool,” said captain Rod Brind’Amour. “I’ve always said in your life if you can look back and have memories that’s what it’s all about. It’s not going to be great every day but we seem to have been able to realize some awesome moments, some pretty cool things.”
1. Game 7, Stanley Cup Finals - June 19, 2006:
2. Game 3, Stanley Cup Finals - June 8, 2002: The only loss on this list, the first Stanley Cup Finals game in Raleigh was a night – and a long one at that – to remember. The game featured a combined 91 saves by Artus Irbe and Dominik Hasek in the longest Cup Finals game in NHL history.
3. Game 6, Eastern Conference Finals - May 28, 2002: The Canes reach their first-ever Stanley Cup Finals when Martin Gelinas tips the puck past Curtis Joseph to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 8:05 into overtime.
4. "The Miracle at Molson" - May 9, 2002: The greatest comeback in team playoff history. The Canes trailed Montreal 3-0 heading into the third period and already were behind 2-1 in the Conference Semifinals when Carolina rallied for three goals, including Erik Cole’s late score with the goalie pulled, to send the game into OT. The Hurricanes then get a goal from Niclas Wallin 3:14 into the extra period to stun the Canadiens. The victory turns the momentum of the series as the Canes outscore Montreal 13-3 over the final two games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
5. Game 1, Stanley Cup Finals - June 4, 2002: One of the few times in my 30-year journalism career where I’ve had writer’s block. The hockey media had scripted Carolina’s impending massacre at the hands of a team of future Hall of Famers in the Detroit Red Wings before the puck was even dropped in the 2002 Cup Finals. But Ron Francis scores less than a minute into overtime to give the Canes a 3-2 victory and the early lead in the series. It was the seventh OT win for the Canes during that ‘02 postseason run.
6."The Shock at the Rock," - April 28, 2009: Playing against their playoff rival of the decade – the New Jersey Devils – this back and forth series goes down to the bitter end of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Trailing 3-2 with 1:20 left, Jussi Jokinen scores to tie it and then Staal beats future Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur with 32 seconds remaining to score the improbable road playoff series win.
7. Walker’s Waterloo - May 14, 2009: Gritty winger Scotty Walker taps the puck out of mid-air and past Tim Thomas late in overtime to beat Boston in Game 7. The victory sends the Canes to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in the decade, joining just New Jersey, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to accomplish that feat. Earlier in the week, Walker had learned that his wife Julie was battling breast cancer and he was vilified in Boston for punching Aaron Ward in the face.
“That was my favorite moment in all of sports that I have been involved with,” Maurice said of Walker’s series-clinching goal. “He was dealing with a lot on his own, and then to have him score. We got off the plane and all the wives were there to greet him. It was just so special.”
8. Francis jersey retirement - Jan. 28, 2006: The hottest regular-season ticket in Carolina history, Ronnie Franchise’s No. 10 jersey is hoisted to the RBC Center rafters. There were few dry eyes in the building as one of the game’s greatest players and gentleman enjoys the night with his wife Mary Lou and three children.
9. Eric Staal drafted - June 22, 2003: In one of the most anticipated NHL Drafts in Canes history, Pittsburgh selects goalie Marc-Andre Fleury first overall, opening the door for Carolina to pick rangy center Eric Staal. It is the team’s highest selection since taking Chris Pronger second in 1993.
10. Game 6, Eastern Conference quarterfinals - April 22, 2001: The birth of the decade-long playoff rivalry with New Jersey, the Canes trailed the series 3-0 and eventually lost in six games but not before throwing a scare into the Cup champs. The fans, sensing the Canes’ grit and determination against a superior team, begin a standing ovation with two minutes left in regulation despite trailing in the game 5-1. The crowd’s appreciation lasts well past the final horn and remains one of he truly emotional RBC Center moments of the decade.
I snipped a bit out of the list - the link has quotes from each.
Since I'm not a fan of lists, I'm not good at second guessing, but maybe we can do that here?
Fun that I've been at all the home games listed (and watched the rest on TV).
http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=512262
By David Droschak
Editor’s note: The third in a three-part series highlighting the Carolina Hurricanes’ accomplishments this past decade as seen through the eyes of www.carolinahurricanes.com feature writer David Droschak, who has covered the team since its North Carolina inception.
Few, if any teams in the NHL packed as many dramatic and exhilarating moments into a decade as the Carolina Hurricanes from 2000-09. In the postseason alone, the Canes won 15 overtime games while settling into the RBC Center, and won a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. Carolina also hosted an NHL Entry Draft, selected a player by the name of Eric Staal and retired the jerseys of two of the franchise’s greatest players.
“For a relatively short history we’ve had a lot of great moments, which is pretty cool,” said captain Rod Brind’Amour. “I’ve always said in your life if you can look back and have memories that’s what it’s all about. It’s not going to be great every day but we seem to have been able to realize some awesome moments, some pretty cool things.”
1. Game 7, Stanley Cup Finals - June 19, 2006:
2. Game 3, Stanley Cup Finals - June 8, 2002: The only loss on this list, the first Stanley Cup Finals game in Raleigh was a night – and a long one at that – to remember. The game featured a combined 91 saves by Artus Irbe and Dominik Hasek in the longest Cup Finals game in NHL history.
3. Game 6, Eastern Conference Finals - May 28, 2002: The Canes reach their first-ever Stanley Cup Finals when Martin Gelinas tips the puck past Curtis Joseph to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 8:05 into overtime.
4. "The Miracle at Molson" - May 9, 2002: The greatest comeback in team playoff history. The Canes trailed Montreal 3-0 heading into the third period and already were behind 2-1 in the Conference Semifinals when Carolina rallied for three goals, including Erik Cole’s late score with the goalie pulled, to send the game into OT. The Hurricanes then get a goal from Niclas Wallin 3:14 into the extra period to stun the Canadiens. The victory turns the momentum of the series as the Canes outscore Montreal 13-3 over the final two games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
5. Game 1, Stanley Cup Finals - June 4, 2002: One of the few times in my 30-year journalism career where I’ve had writer’s block. The hockey media had scripted Carolina’s impending massacre at the hands of a team of future Hall of Famers in the Detroit Red Wings before the puck was even dropped in the 2002 Cup Finals. But Ron Francis scores less than a minute into overtime to give the Canes a 3-2 victory and the early lead in the series. It was the seventh OT win for the Canes during that ‘02 postseason run.
6."The Shock at the Rock," - April 28, 2009: Playing against their playoff rival of the decade – the New Jersey Devils – this back and forth series goes down to the bitter end of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Trailing 3-2 with 1:20 left, Jussi Jokinen scores to tie it and then Staal beats future Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur with 32 seconds remaining to score the improbable road playoff series win.
7. Walker’s Waterloo - May 14, 2009: Gritty winger Scotty Walker taps the puck out of mid-air and past Tim Thomas late in overtime to beat Boston in Game 7. The victory sends the Canes to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in the decade, joining just New Jersey, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to accomplish that feat. Earlier in the week, Walker had learned that his wife Julie was battling breast cancer and he was vilified in Boston for punching Aaron Ward in the face.
“That was my favorite moment in all of sports that I have been involved with,” Maurice said of Walker’s series-clinching goal. “He was dealing with a lot on his own, and then to have him score. We got off the plane and all the wives were there to greet him. It was just so special.”
8. Francis jersey retirement - Jan. 28, 2006: The hottest regular-season ticket in Carolina history, Ronnie Franchise’s No. 10 jersey is hoisted to the RBC Center rafters. There were few dry eyes in the building as one of the game’s greatest players and gentleman enjoys the night with his wife Mary Lou and three children.
9. Eric Staal drafted - June 22, 2003: In one of the most anticipated NHL Drafts in Canes history, Pittsburgh selects goalie Marc-Andre Fleury first overall, opening the door for Carolina to pick rangy center Eric Staal. It is the team’s highest selection since taking Chris Pronger second in 1993.
10. Game 6, Eastern Conference quarterfinals - April 22, 2001: The birth of the decade-long playoff rivalry with New Jersey, the Canes trailed the series 3-0 and eventually lost in six games but not before throwing a scare into the Cup champs. The fans, sensing the Canes’ grit and determination against a superior team, begin a standing ovation with two minutes left in regulation despite trailing in the game 5-1. The crowd’s appreciation lasts well past the final horn and remains one of he truly emotional RBC Center moments of the decade.
I snipped a bit out of the list - the link has quotes from each.