Flashbacks: 2002 1st Round vs. the Devils

[nccanes]

Thought it might be fun to have a thread during each round that "flashed back" to last year's playoffs. Just to reminisce or tell a funny story or two.

I'll start. First off, here's the N&O article about Game 1.


The News & Observer
April 18, 2002
Hurricanes a hit in opener
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer
Article Text:

RALEIGH -- As time ran down, Erik Cole found himself besieged by angry men in red shirts.

The New Jersey Devils were trying to take the fight to him, but they were too late. The Carolina Hurricanes had beaten them to it.

The Canes, in fact, beat the Devils to everything. The first big save. The first goal. The first big hit. And the first win in their first-round playoff series rematch.

Rod Brind'Amour and Cole, two of the Canes' most physical players, scored early goals and goalie Arturs Irbe made sure they held up as the Canes beat the Devils 2-1 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena on Wednesday.

The Canes fell behind 3-0 against the Devils last season before losing in six games, but the parameters have clearly shifted this season.

"Last year we got ourselves in a hole and couldn't get out of it," Carolina captain Ron Francis said. "It's certainly nice when you have home-ice advantage to win the first one and take the lead. We still have a lot more work to do, but it's certainly nicer to be up one than down one."

Outshot 35-17, Irbe was the difference for Carolina. The Devils had plenty of scoring chances, but Irbe stopped Christian Berglund on a breakaway early in the game and never let up.

The Devils were left shaking their heads, wondering how the team they beat so handily in Game 1 last season could turn around and do this to them -- and with Carolina's top line of Francis, Sami Kapanen and Jeff O'Neill taking only one shot.

"This was a game that was ours for the taking," Devils defenseman Tommy Albelin said.

The Canes were badly outplayed over the first seven minutes and it looked like last spring all over again as the Devils set up housekeeping in front of the Carolina net.

But the keys to any playoff series are special teams and goaltending, and they won the game for Carolina on Wednesday.

Irbe stopped the Devils' first 31 shots and Brind'Amour scored a power-play goal 8:21 into the game to give the Canes the lead. The sound of the Carolina bench exhaling was almost audible.

Less than two minutes later, Cole went end-to-end, dancing past Albelin and beating Martin Brodeur. Cole has never been daunted before, and the rookie wasn't this time.

"I took a look at who the defenseman was," said Cole, who has exactly one game of NHL playoff experience to Albelin's 54.

And with a quick move to his left, Cole created the space to get off his shot, which hit Albelin's stick and went through Brodeur's legs.

That gave the Canes a 2-0 lead, and thanks to Irbe they held on as the Devils piled up shots if not scoring chances.

"It's not the first year we're playing in the playoffs and this is a time to enjoy it," Irbe said. "Obviously, the Devils didn't make it overly comfortable. They peppered me quite a bit."

The Canes outhit, outmuscled and outplayed the Devils, who sorely missed stars Joe Nieuwendyk (flu) and Petr Sykora (bruised ankle).

Actually, the player the Devils needed wasn't Nieuwendyk, but Jason Arnott -- the burly center they traded for Nieuwendyk at the deadline.

Arnott's bulk and nasty edge would have served the Devils well on a night when the Canes made it clear they would not be pushed around again.

"There was a point in the first period where I think we did it too much," Carolina coach Paul Maurice said. "We tried to finish everything and you can't do that. There were points in the game where we didn't need to."

But there were points where they needed to, and they did.

Aaron Ward played what might have been his best defensive game of the season and led the way as the Canes blocked 33 shots -- almost as many as Irbe -- and leveled hit after hit behind the Carolina net.

Cole leveled Patrik Elias in the first period, a hit equal in visual impact to any Scott Stevens delivered last season. Elias got his revenge, though, as he always does against Carolina.

His one-time power-play blast from the right circle with 12:29 to play was his third goal in seven playoff games against Carolina.

Jeff O'Neill had a chance to put the game away on a breakaway with 5:50 to play, but Brodeur made a stellar, rolling glove save of O'Neill's top-shelf try.

Brind'Amour beat nemesis Bobby Holik twice on defensive-zone faceoffs in the final 24 seconds to seal the win.

It was just another instance of a night when the Canes were losers on the shot clock but winners everywhere else -- and have Game 1 to show for it.

and from Game 2 (there's some great quotes in this one):


The News & Observer
April 20, 2002
Canes take control
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer
Article Text:

Raleigh -- Erik Cole wrapped his arms around Bates Battaglia from behind and lifted him into the air.

Marek Malik, all 6 feet 5 of him, jumped into Battaglia's arms, sending all three tumbling onto the ice.

Big goals beget big celebrations.

Battaglia's goal was the biggest of his life.

Battaglia tipped a Malik shot past Martin Brodeur 15:26 into overtime to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

The Canes now take a 2-0 lead in the series into Game 3, Sunday afternoon at New Jersey.

The Devils lost their fourth straight playoff game -- and fourth in five games against Carolina -- while falling behind 0-2 for the first time since 1994, 17 playoff series in their past.

Of course, they did win the next four games in that series against Boston on their way to the Eastern Conference finals. But 1994 was 1994 -- the Canes were still the Hartford Whalers -- and in 2002 the Canes have taken care of business so far.

"I just tried to get in front of the net, and it was a mid-range shot so it was perfect for a tip," Battaglia said. "It's a great feeling, but I'll enjoy it tonight, and tomorrow's a new day and things will get going for the next game at their place."

They were led by Cole, a 23-year-old rookie with the confidence of a veteran and the quiet arrogance of someone who knows just how good he is, and Battaglia, long a fan favorite who for the first time this season has not only justified his popularity but given reason for it to increase.

It was Battaglia's no-look backhand pass through Scott Stevens' legs that set up Cole's second-period goal that tied the game 1-1.

It was his tip that won the game, knocking Malik's flip shot out of the air, off the ice and over Brodeur's left shoulder.

It's a move he tries about 100 times every practice. He has less practice at the kind of jubilation so stirring he feared for Cole's safety.

"He picked me up and [Malik] gave me a nice form tackle," Battaglia said. "He looked like [Brian] Urlacher from the Chicago Bears and just took us down pretty hard."

"I don't think I've ever jumped that high in my life," Malik said.

It was the biggest hit in a game full of them.

For the first two periods, things looked a lot like Game 1. The Canes were the more physical team -- although not by nearly the same margin as the first game -- and the Devils pounded shot after shot at Arturs Irbe in the Carolina net.

But things changed as the third period wound down and the Canes seemed the more confident team as overtime began.

They killed off a slashing penalty against Rod Brind'Amour 10 minutes in, and less than six minutes later Battaglia won it for the Canes.

After a scoreless first period, the Devils got a break and a goal in the second.

Brind'Amour's clearing attempt hit Sergei Brylin, bounced backward through Cole's legs and ended up on Bobby Holik's stick at the post for an easy goal.

It wasn't the first time Brylin has been the benefactor of bad luck on Carolina's part. On April 3, he scored the game-tying goal in a 3-2 Devils win over the Canes when he caught Irbe out of the net.

But Carolina has an answer for the Devils, and his name is Erik Cole.

On a power play late in the second, Cole scored the second playoff goal of his career in as many games. In six career games against the Devils, regular season and playoffs, he has three goals and two assists.

After Battaglia set him up, Cole flubbed the shot, but his weak bouncer crossed up Brodeur to tie the game.

"Awesome," Brind'Amour said. "That's all I'm going to say about him. The goal he got was a lucky bounce, but he deserved it. How many chances did he have? He could have scored a bunch of them."

The Devils had plenty of chances of their own and nearly took the lead with 12:59 to play when they had a bevy of scoring chances in the Carolina end, but Brian Rafalski's goal was waved off because Patrik Elias shoved Irbe with his shoulder coming from behind the net.

It was the Devils' last hope. How much hope they have left in this series is now up to the Hurricanes. Control is now in their hands as securely as Battaglia and Cole were in Malik's arms.


Personally, I had a blast at these games. I remember thinking in Game 2 that we could possibly be up 2-0 to NJ! I was so nervous and elated during that game. I remember my husband laughing because I kept saying "oh sh*t" each time it looked like NJ might score. He said he'd never heard me say that so many times (especially with 3 kids sitting directly in front of us). I remember jumping up and down like a mad woman after Bates scored the OT goal. What fun that was! Did we ever get spoiled in that series, winning all 3 home games! :) :D

[nccanes]

Thought it might be fun to have a thread during each round that "flashed back" to last year's playoffs. Just to reminisce or tell a funny story or two.

I'll start. First off, here's the N&O article about Game 1.


The News & Observer
April 18, 2002
Hurricanes a hit in opener
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer
Article Text:

RALEIGH -- As time ran down, Erik Cole found himself besieged by angry men in red shirts.

The New Jersey Devils were trying to take the fight to him, but they were too late. The Carolina Hurricanes had beaten them to it.

The Canes, in fact, beat the Devils to everything. The first big save. The first goal. The first big hit. And the first win in their first-round playoff series rematch.

Rod Brind'Amour and Cole, two of the Canes' most physical players, scored early goals and goalie Arturs Irbe made sure they held up as the Canes beat the Devils 2-1 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena on Wednesday.

The Canes fell behind 3-0 against the Devils last season before losing in six games, but the parameters have clearly shifted this season.

"Last year we got ourselves in a hole and couldn't get out of it," Carolina captain Ron Francis said. "It's certainly nice when you have home-ice advantage to win the first one and take the lead. We still have a lot more work to do, but it's certainly nicer to be up one than down one."

Outshot 35-17, Irbe was the difference for Carolina. The Devils had plenty of scoring chances, but Irbe stopped Christian Berglund on a breakaway early in the game and never let up.

The Devils were left shaking their heads, wondering how the team they beat so handily in Game 1 last season could turn around and do this to them -- and with Carolina's top line of Francis, Sami Kapanen and Jeff O'Neill taking only one shot.

"This was a game that was ours for the taking," Devils defenseman Tommy Albelin said.

The Canes were badly outplayed over the first seven minutes and it looked like last spring all over again as the Devils set up housekeeping in front of the Carolina net.

But the keys to any playoff series are special teams and goaltending, and they won the game for Carolina on Wednesday.

Irbe stopped the Devils' first 31 shots and Brind'Amour scored a power-play goal 8:21 into the game to give the Canes the lead. The sound of the Carolina bench exhaling was almost audible.

Less than two minutes later, Cole went end-to-end, dancing past Albelin and beating Martin Brodeur. Cole has never been daunted before, and the rookie wasn't this time.

"I took a look at who the defenseman was," said Cole, who has exactly one game of NHL playoff experience to Albelin's 54.

And with a quick move to his left, Cole created the space to get off his shot, which hit Albelin's stick and went through Brodeur's legs.

That gave the Canes a 2-0 lead, and thanks to Irbe they held on as the Devils piled up shots if not scoring chances.

"It's not the first year we're playing in the playoffs and this is a time to enjoy it," Irbe said. "Obviously, the Devils didn't make it overly comfortable. They peppered me quite a bit."

The Canes outhit, outmuscled and outplayed the Devils, who sorely missed stars Joe Nieuwendyk (flu) and Petr Sykora (bruised ankle).

Actually, the player the Devils needed wasn't Nieuwendyk, but Jason Arnott -- the burly center they traded for Nieuwendyk at the deadline.

Arnott's bulk and nasty edge would have served the Devils well on a night when the Canes made it clear they would not be pushed around again.

"There was a point in the first period where I think we did it too much," Carolina coach Paul Maurice said. "We tried to finish everything and you can't do that. There were points in the game where we didn't need to."

But there were points where they needed to, and they did.

Aaron Ward played what might have been his best defensive game of the season and led the way as the Canes blocked 33 shots -- almost as many as Irbe -- and leveled hit after hit behind the Carolina net.

Cole leveled Patrik Elias in the first period, a hit equal in visual impact to any Scott Stevens delivered last season. Elias got his revenge, though, as he always does against Carolina.

His one-time power-play blast from the right circle with 12:29 to play was his third goal in seven playoff games against Carolina.

Jeff O'Neill had a chance to put the game away on a breakaway with 5:50 to play, but Brodeur made a stellar, rolling glove save of O'Neill's top-shelf try.

Brind'Amour beat nemesis Bobby Holik twice on defensive-zone faceoffs in the final 24 seconds to seal the win.

It was just another instance of a night when the Canes were losers on the shot clock but winners everywhere else -- and have Game 1 to show for it.

and from Game 2 (there's some great quotes in this one):


The News & Observer
April 20, 2002
Canes take control
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer
Article Text:

Raleigh -- Erik Cole wrapped his arms around Bates Battaglia from behind and lifted him into the air.

Marek Malik, all 6 feet 5 of him, jumped into Battaglia's arms, sending all three tumbling onto the ice.

Big goals beget big celebrations.

Battaglia's goal was the biggest of his life.

Battaglia tipped a Malik shot past Martin Brodeur 15:26 into overtime to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

The Canes now take a 2-0 lead in the series into Game 3, Sunday afternoon at New Jersey.

The Devils lost their fourth straight playoff game -- and fourth in five games against Carolina -- while falling behind 0-2 for the first time since 1994, 17 playoff series in their past.

Of course, they did win the next four games in that series against Boston on their way to the Eastern Conference finals. But 1994 was 1994 -- the Canes were still the Hartford Whalers -- and in 2002 the Canes have taken care of business so far.

"I just tried to get in front of the net, and it was a mid-range shot so it was perfect for a tip," Battaglia said. "It's a great feeling, but I'll enjoy it tonight, and tomorrow's a new day and things will get going for the next game at their place."

They were led by Cole, a 23-year-old rookie with the confidence of a veteran and the quiet arrogance of someone who knows just how good he is, and Battaglia, long a fan favorite who for the first time this season has not only justified his popularity but given reason for it to increase.

It was Battaglia's no-look backhand pass through Scott Stevens' legs that set up Cole's second-period goal that tied the game 1-1.

It was his tip that won the game, knocking Malik's flip shot out of the air, off the ice and over Brodeur's left shoulder.

It's a move he tries about 100 times every practice. He has less practice at the kind of jubilation so stirring he feared for Cole's safety.

"He picked me up and [Malik] gave me a nice form tackle," Battaglia said. "He looked like [Brian] Urlacher from the Chicago Bears and just took us down pretty hard."

"I don't think I've ever jumped that high in my life," Malik said.

It was the biggest hit in a game full of them.

For the first two periods, things looked a lot like Game 1. The Canes were the more physical team -- although not by nearly the same margin as the first game -- and the Devils pounded shot after shot at Arturs Irbe in the Carolina net.

But things changed as the third period wound down and the Canes seemed the more confident team as overtime began.

They killed off a slashing penalty against Rod Brind'Amour 10 minutes in, and less than six minutes later Battaglia won it for the Canes.

After a scoreless first period, the Devils got a break and a goal in the second.

Brind'Amour's clearing attempt hit Sergei Brylin, bounced backward through Cole's legs and ended up on Bobby Holik's stick at the post for an easy goal.

It wasn't the first time Brylin has been the benefactor of bad luck on Carolina's part. On April 3, he scored the game-tying goal in a 3-2 Devils win over the Canes when he caught Irbe out of the net.

But Carolina has an answer for the Devils, and his name is Erik Cole.

On a power play late in the second, Cole scored the second playoff goal of his career in as many games. In six career games against the Devils, regular season and playoffs, he has three goals and two assists.

After Battaglia set him up, Cole flubbed the shot, but his weak bouncer crossed up Brodeur to tie the game.

"Awesome," Brind'Amour said. "That's all I'm going to say about him. The goal he got was a lucky bounce, but he deserved it. How many chances did he have? He could have scored a bunch of them."

The Devils had plenty of chances of their own and nearly took the lead with 12:59 to play when they had a bevy of scoring chances in the Carolina end, but Brian Rafalski's goal was waved off because Patrik Elias shoved Irbe with his shoulder coming from behind the net.

It was the Devils' last hope. How much hope they have left in this series is now up to the Hurricanes. Control is now in their hands as securely as Battaglia and Cole were in Malik's arms.


Personally, I had a blast at these games. I remember thinking in Game 2 that we could possibly be up 2-0 to NJ! I was so nervous and elated during that game. I remember my husband laughing because I kept saying "oh sh*t" each time it looked like NJ might score. He said he'd never heard me say that so many times (especially with 3 kids sitting directly in front of us). I remember jumping up and down like a mad woman after Bates scored the OT goal. What fun that was! Did we ever get spoiled in that series, winning all 3 home games! :) :D

[Night Train]

Great finds. I actually missed Game 1 because of work. Game 2 was a blast. I watched my Raising Canes DVD last night just to reminisce a bit. On a side note, does anyone out there have any of last year's playoff games that they'd be willing to copy? Of course, I would pay for tapes, shipping, etc.

[Night Train]

Great finds. I actually missed Game 1 because of work. Game 2 was a blast. I watched my Raising Canes DVD last night just to reminisce a bit. On a side note, does anyone out there have any of last year's playoff games that they'd be willing to copy? Of course, I would pay for tapes, shipping, etc.

[StormShaman]

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRR!!!

:D

(for those that don't remember--that's what the magpies on the south end were hollering after Brodeur let in that second goal)

[StormShaman]

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRR!!!

:D

(for those that don't remember--that's what the magpies on the south end were hollering after Brodeur let in that second goal)

[Canesluver]

Missed the 1st game (prior obligation) but saw all the home playoff games from the 2nd one on.

What I remember most about the 2nd game: Husband couldn't go, so I splurged for a $$$ seat right on the red line/East side. Sat next to a couple who'd been season ticket holders since the Greensboro days. Had a blast. When Batesy scored in OT, I jumped about as high a Malik, and HUGGED this stranger next me, and the woman on my other side grabbed my hand AND WOULDN'T LET GO!! :crazy:

I also think of that game as the first of many OT's, and nervous stomachs, and Tums!! :D

[Canesluver]

Missed the 1st game (prior obligation) but saw all the home playoff games from the 2nd one on.

What I remember most about the 2nd game: Husband couldn't go, so I splurged for a $$$ seat right on the red line/East side. Sat next to a couple who'd been season ticket holders since the Greensboro days. Had a blast. When Batesy scored in OT, I jumped about as high a Malik, and HUGGED this stranger next me, and the woman on my other side grabbed my hand AND WOULDN'T LET GO!! :crazy:

I also think of that game as the first of many OT's, and nervous stomachs, and Tums!! :D

[Jeff O Rocks]

:cry: ...wish that was a CURRENT story...

Thanks Eileen... :D

[Jeff O Rocks]

:cry: ...wish that was a CURRENT story...

Thanks Eileen... :D

[Alicia]

:sad: :cry:

[Alicia]

:sad: :cry:

[CaniacKikiBB13]

awww, the good ol' days.... :sad:

[CaniacKikiBB13]

awww, the good ol' days.... :sad:

[Alicia]

OK, I shouldn't have read this post first, so close to just waking up. Thanks for the memories, Eileen! :D

[Alicia]

OK, I shouldn't have read this post first, so close to just waking up. Thanks for the memories, Eileen! :D

[folgersnyourcup]

Thanks for the posts Eileen! Now how about a post game 5 N&O article? :)

[folgersnyourcup]

Thanks for the posts Eileen! Now how about a post game 5 N&O article? :)

[hyena]

great read, nccanes, thanks for posting them.

it does depress me, though. :sad:

[hyena]

great read, nccanes, thanks for posting them.

it does depress me, though. :sad:

[nccanes]

Thanks for the posts Eileen! Now how about a post game 5 N&O article? :)

Now, now. We need to make these trips down memory lane last a little while! I'll post some others as time goes by! ;)

[nccanes]

Thanks for the posts Eileen! Now how about a post game 5 N&O article? :)

Now, now. We need to make these trips down memory lane last a little while! I'll post some others as time goes by! ;)

[nccanes]

Taking Canesgal's suggestion. Here's the link to the ch.com recaps, including video highlights!

http://www.caneshockey.com/custom/rad2CE2F.asp

[nccanes]

Taking Canesgal's suggestion. Here's the link to the ch.com recaps, including video highlights!

http://www.caneshockey.com/custom/rad2CE2F.asp

[nccanes]

:smoke: :D

http://www64.pair.com/efrancis/canes/02playoffs/nj1.JPG

http://www64.pair.com/efrancis/canes/02playoffs/nj2.JPG

http://www64.pair.com/efrancis/canes/02playoffs/nj3.JPG

http://www64.pair.com/efrancis/canes/02playoffs/nj4.JPG

[nccanes]

:smoke: :D

http://www64.pair.com/efrancis/canes/02playoffs/nj1.JPG

http://www64.pair.com/efrancis/canes/02playoffs/nj2.JPG

http://www64.pair.com/efrancis/canes/02playoffs/nj3.JPG

http://www64.pair.com/efrancis/canes/02playoffs/nj4.JPG

[Stormbringer]

Thanks for the pictures and articles Eileen...I especially love that first picture. I use it occasionally for wallpaper on my computer. :cool:

[Stormbringer]

Thanks for the pictures and articles Eileen...I especially love that first picture. I use it occasionally for wallpaper on my computer. :cool:

[Jeff O Rocks]

Seeing those pics from "the good old days" made me happy and very sad at the same time!! :D :cry:

Thanks Eileen....get ready folks...more of this to come next year..I know it!! :spin:

[Jeff O Rocks]

Seeing those pics from "the good old days" made me happy and very sad at the same time!! :D :cry:

Thanks Eileen....get ready folks...more of this to come next year..I know it!! :spin:

[nccanes]

We'll skip over games 3 and 4 in NJ. The Canes return to the ESA tied with NJ 2 games each...

The game with the infamous Weekes save on Madden!


The News & Observer
April 25, 2002

Overtime Canes' time
Vasicek's goal gives carolina 3-2 win, lead over new Jersey
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer
Article Text:

RALEIGH -- The celebration was the same, players leaping into each other's arms after an overtime game-winner. The circumstances were different.

The Carolina Hurricanes are one win from ending 16 years of frustration.

After a Josef Vasicek goal gave them a 3-2 overtime win over the New Jersey Devils in Game 5 on Wednesday at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, the Canes lead the series 3-2 as well.

"It didn't look too good," Carolina center Rod Brind'Amour said, "but the guys just battled hard. ... They got up 2-1, but it wasn't like we got down. We kept fighting, and it worked out."

The Canes can close out the best-of-seven first-round series with a victory in Game 6 on Saturday.

It won't be easy. Every game in this series has been won by the home team. That was no different Wednesday as the Canes played overtime for the third time in the past four playoff games at the ESA -- winning all three.

"That's playoff hockey. If your goalie makes a great save or you score a key goal, it can be a deciding factor in the game," said Carolina forward Jeff O'Neill, who tied the score with 1:29 to play with his first goal of the series. "We had both those things."

Bates Battaglia won Game 2 in overtime, sparking the first wild celebration, but this one was one by Vasicek, whose shot from the slot after a scramble in front of the net hit the stick of Devils defenseman Tommy Albelin and beat Martin Brodeur.

"I just had a juicy rebound out there so I just shot it in the net and it went in," Vasicek said. "The puck was lying there and [Brodeur] was on his side. I thought I just had to get high over his pads and he swung his glove even higher. I was just lucky it got between his glove and his pads."

The Canes can end the franchise's streak of 16 years without a playoff series win by winning on Saturday in New Jersey. The Canes lost Games 3 and 4 there by a combined 7-1.

Kevin Weekes, the first goalie not named Arturs Irbe to start a playoff game for the franchise since it moved to North Carolina, stopped the first 24 shots he saw in his first-ever playoff start to keep the Canes from falling into the same early hole they did with Irbe in net in Games 3 and 4.

Weekes even stayed in the game after he went down in a heap when Sean Hill caught him in the side of the neck with his stick early in the third, making 40 saves, including a stunning glove save on John Madden in overtime.

"I knew it was obviously a big game, but for me in this situation, any game would have been a big game," Weekes said. "It wasn't a one-man win. We all know that."

It was 1-1 going into the third after Bobby Holik scored for the Devils and Martin Gelinas scored for the Canes.

The Devils took the lead on a third-period power play earned when Svoboda was sent to the box for the second time in the game, Elias tipping a Brian Rafalski pass between Weekes' legs with 8:14 to play.

"I thought we should have won," Elias said. "I had a feeling we were going to get this game. We were in good shape until we took the penalty."

The penalty. The third the Devils took in the final 7:46, coming with 1:50 to play when Holik, perhaps the best player in the series so far, ran over Svoboda behind the net.

Holik didn't like it -- "I get hit like that all the time," he said -- but the Canes did. O'Neill stuffed a Rod Brind'Amour rebound past Brodeur to force overtime.

Madden nearly won it for the Devils with 15:36 to play when a Stephane Richer rebound was sitting in front. But Weekes -- from his stomach -- slapped his glove downward onto Madden's shot.

Madden was left shaking his head in disbelief and the Canes were still in the game.

"He got lucky," Madden said. "I'm sure he'll tell you the same thing."

A few minutes later, the Devils weren't when Svoboda got the puck deep and it ended up on Vasicek's stick in front.

He shot the Canes right into the lead and brought them within a win of taking the series altogether.


and an article on the 3rd line....


The News & Observer
April 25, 2002
Third line gels in a big way
Author: Barry Svrluga; Staff Writer

Article Text:

RALEIGH -- They will remember Josef Vasicek, stretching out, scooping up the puck, flicking it past frequently invincible Martin Brodeur, sprawled out and -- for once --helpless.


That was the play that won Game 5 of the Carolina Hurricanes' Eastern Conference playoff series against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, the difference in a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory that gave the Canes a lead in the series, three games to two.

But what of all that other stuff? How about Jaroslav Svoboda, grinding at the blue line, struggling to keep the puck in the Canes' offensive zone, and then sprawling on the ice to shove a pass to Vasicek? Then there was Vasicek, sprawling as well, shoving the puck to Martin Gelinas, who blasted the Canes' first goal past Brodeur.

Typical, on this night, of Carolina's third line, Vasicek centering Gelinas and the rookie Svoboda. Third line? For one night, at least, third was first.

"It's one of those things where you get in the game, and as much as it's a team game, you hope that someone steps up and has a game above and beyond the call of duty," Canes defenseman Aaron Ward said. "It was them. They were outstanding."

So outstanding as to be the best line on the ice Wednesday night. That diving effort by Svoboda and Vasicek resulted in the goal that tied it 1-1 in the second period. And then, in overtime, they won it much the same way, with Gelinas chugging and chopping behind the net, pushing the puck to Svoboda, who somehow shoved it to wide-open Vasicek.

"We've been working hard pretty much all series," Vasicek said. "But we just didn't get those bounces. It seemed like we were always just one step behind. And today, finally, we got a goal to make us going. After that, it was just great."

Great, when the Canes wouldn't have survived with anything less. It wasn't necessarily beautiful, fluid, jaw-dropping skating and passing. It was blue-collar. It was sweat-stained. It was effective.

"That Vasicek line was really big," New Jersey defenseman Scott Stevens said. "They were in on two goals. That was maybe the difference tonight. They've been pretty quiet, but they broke out. They had some chemistry tonight."

Odd, because this group hasn't been together all that long. Gelinas and Vasicek had worked together for the better part of two series, most recently with Craig MacDonald. But when Svoboda was recalled, with 10 games remaining in the regular season, he quickly worked his way up. Slender, at 6 feet 3 and 180 pounds, he has learned from his linemates, enough that he scored his first two playoff points.

"Work hard in the corners," Svoboda said of the lessons learned from Gelinas. "I've never seen nothing like it in my life. It helps you a lot when you have a guy working as hard as Marty."

The work, it seems, became contagious. Gelinas, the veteran 31-year-old, teaching his linemates, each of whom is 21.

"They really typified the level of work that you're going to need to beat [New Jersey]," Canes coach Paul Maurice said. "They were outstanding."

The goals were the biggest part of the effort, of course. But they also provided a tone, one that wasn't coming from the usual sources.

"Our line, I know, struggled to get things going for a couple periods," veteran center Rod Brind'Amour said. "And those guys picked us up. They were the ones making us go."

They made them go, right back to New Jersey for Saturday's Game 6.

With those three playing as they did, the Canes travel north with the series in their hands.

Without them?

Hard to say.

"They're driving," Maurice said. "They're driving the team."

[nccanes]

We'll skip over games 3 and 4 in NJ. The Canes return to the ESA tied with NJ 2 games each...

The game with the infamous Weekes save on Madden!


The News & Observer
April 25, 2002

Overtime Canes' time
Vasicek's goal gives carolina 3-2 win, lead over new Jersey
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer
Article Text:

RALEIGH -- The celebration was the same, players leaping into each other's arms after an overtime game-winner. The circumstances were different.

The Carolina Hurricanes are one win from ending 16 years of frustration.

After a Josef Vasicek goal gave them a 3-2 overtime win over the New Jersey Devils in Game 5 on Wednesday at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, the Canes lead the series 3-2 as well.

"It didn't look too good," Carolina center Rod Brind'Amour said, "but the guys just battled hard. ... They got up 2-1, but it wasn't like we got down. We kept fighting, and it worked out."

The Canes can close out the best-of-seven first-round series with a victory in Game 6 on Saturday.

It won't be easy. Every game in this series has been won by the home team. That was no different Wednesday as the Canes played overtime for the third time in the past four playoff games at the ESA -- winning all three.

"That's playoff hockey. If your goalie makes a great save or you score a key goal, it can be a deciding factor in the game," said Carolina forward Jeff O'Neill, who tied the score with 1:29 to play with his first goal of the series. "We had both those things."

Bates Battaglia won Game 2 in overtime, sparking the first wild celebration, but this one was one by Vasicek, whose shot from the slot after a scramble in front of the net hit the stick of Devils defenseman Tommy Albelin and beat Martin Brodeur.

"I just had a juicy rebound out there so I just shot it in the net and it went in," Vasicek said. "The puck was lying there and [Brodeur] was on his side. I thought I just had to get high over his pads and he swung his glove even higher. I was just lucky it got between his glove and his pads."

The Canes can end the franchise's streak of 16 years without a playoff series win by winning on Saturday in New Jersey. The Canes lost Games 3 and 4 there by a combined 7-1.

Kevin Weekes, the first goalie not named Arturs Irbe to start a playoff game for the franchise since it moved to North Carolina, stopped the first 24 shots he saw in his first-ever playoff start to keep the Canes from falling into the same early hole they did with Irbe in net in Games 3 and 4.

Weekes even stayed in the game after he went down in a heap when Sean Hill caught him in the side of the neck with his stick early in the third, making 40 saves, including a stunning glove save on John Madden in overtime.

"I knew it was obviously a big game, but for me in this situation, any game would have been a big game," Weekes said. "It wasn't a one-man win. We all know that."

It was 1-1 going into the third after Bobby Holik scored for the Devils and Martin Gelinas scored for the Canes.

The Devils took the lead on a third-period power play earned when Svoboda was sent to the box for the second time in the game, Elias tipping a Brian Rafalski pass between Weekes' legs with 8:14 to play.

"I thought we should have won," Elias said. "I had a feeling we were going to get this game. We were in good shape until we took the penalty."

The penalty. The third the Devils took in the final 7:46, coming with 1:50 to play when Holik, perhaps the best player in the series so far, ran over Svoboda behind the net.

Holik didn't like it -- "I get hit like that all the time," he said -- but the Canes did. O'Neill stuffed a Rod Brind'Amour rebound past Brodeur to force overtime.

Madden nearly won it for the Devils with 15:36 to play when a Stephane Richer rebound was sitting in front. But Weekes -- from his stomach -- slapped his glove downward onto Madden's shot.

Madden was left shaking his head in disbelief and the Canes were still in the game.

"He got lucky," Madden said. "I'm sure he'll tell you the same thing."

A few minutes later, the Devils weren't when Svoboda got the puck deep and it ended up on Vasicek's stick in front.

He shot the Canes right into the lead and brought them within a win of taking the series altogether.


and an article on the 3rd line....


The News & Observer
April 25, 2002
Third line gels in a big way
Author: Barry Svrluga; Staff Writer

Article Text:

RALEIGH -- They will remember Josef Vasicek, stretching out, scooping up the puck, flicking it past frequently invincible Martin Brodeur, sprawled out and -- for once --helpless.


That was the play that won Game 5 of the Carolina Hurricanes' Eastern Conference playoff series against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, the difference in a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory that gave the Canes a lead in the series, three games to two.

But what of all that other stuff? How about Jaroslav Svoboda, grinding at the blue line, struggling to keep the puck in the Canes' offensive zone, and then sprawling on the ice to shove a pass to Vasicek? Then there was Vasicek, sprawling as well, shoving the puck to Martin Gelinas, who blasted the Canes' first goal past Brodeur.

Typical, on this night, of Carolina's third line, Vasicek centering Gelinas and the rookie Svoboda. Third line? For one night, at least, third was first.

"It's one of those things where you get in the game, and as much as it's a team game, you hope that someone steps up and has a game above and beyond the call of duty," Canes defenseman Aaron Ward said. "It was them. They were outstanding."

So outstanding as to be the best line on the ice Wednesday night. That diving effort by Svoboda and Vasicek resulted in the goal that tied it 1-1 in the second period. And then, in overtime, they won it much the same way, with Gelinas chugging and chopping behind the net, pushing the puck to Svoboda, who somehow shoved it to wide-open Vasicek.

"We've been working hard pretty much all series," Vasicek said. "But we just didn't get those bounces. It seemed like we were always just one step behind. And today, finally, we got a goal to make us going. After that, it was just great."

Great, when the Canes wouldn't have survived with anything less. It wasn't necessarily beautiful, fluid, jaw-dropping skating and passing. It was blue-collar. It was sweat-stained. It was effective.

"That Vasicek line was really big," New Jersey defenseman Scott Stevens said. "They were in on two goals. That was maybe the difference tonight. They've been pretty quiet, but they broke out. They had some chemistry tonight."

Odd, because this group hasn't been together all that long. Gelinas and Vasicek had worked together for the better part of two series, most recently with Craig MacDonald. But when Svoboda was recalled, with 10 games remaining in the regular season, he quickly worked his way up. Slender, at 6 feet 3 and 180 pounds, he has learned from his linemates, enough that he scored his first two playoff points.

"Work hard in the corners," Svoboda said of the lessons learned from Gelinas. "I've never seen nothing like it in my life. It helps you a lot when you have a guy working as hard as Marty."

The work, it seems, became contagious. Gelinas, the veteran 31-year-old, teaching his linemates, each of whom is 21.

"They really typified the level of work that you're going to need to beat [New Jersey]," Canes coach Paul Maurice said. "They were outstanding."

The goals were the biggest part of the effort, of course. But they also provided a tone, one that wasn't coming from the usual sources.

"Our line, I know, struggled to get things going for a couple periods," veteran center Rod Brind'Amour said. "And those guys picked us up. They were the ones making us go."

They made them go, right back to New Jersey for Saturday's Game 6.

With those three playing as they did, the Canes travel north with the series in their hands.

Without them?

Hard to say.

"They're driving," Maurice said. "They're driving the team."

[nccanes]

And the series ending Game 6!!

I remember being at a soccer game for this one. Many of us had small radios and/or earphones. The rest of the people that didn't were asking us over and over for updates!


The News & Observer
April 28, 2002
One for the franchise
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer

Article Text:

East Rutherford, N.J. -- A year ago, Ron Francis staggered off the ice and out of the playoffs, his brain scrambled by a Scott Stevens hit.

The Carolina Hurricanes followed their captain into the off-season a few games later.

Saturday, Stevens was two feet behind and the New Jersey Devils a year too late.

And Francis' time finally came.

It was Francis who scored the only goal in a 1-0 win Saturday, beating Stevens to the net for a tap-in to take Game 6 of the series.

Francis, who at 39 has put together an MVP-caliber season, sent the Canes into the second round for the second time in franchise history and eliminated the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions.

"You get tired of hearing about 1986, the last time we won a series," Francis said. "Certainly, it was a heck of a series. Both teams played extremely hard, and fortunately we came out on top."

Goalless in the playoffs -- this season and in a Carolina uniform, period -- Francis exorcised both the Devils and his personal demons with one swipe of his stick.

In doing so, he erased a stigma that lingered for 16 years.

"Sitting beside Ronnie, you could feel the tension," Carolina forward Martin Gelinas said. "He wants to make it happen. He walked into this room and the guys almost gave him a standing ovation."

Francis was on that 1986 Hartford Whalers team that advanced to the second round. Traded away in 1991, by the time he came back to the franchise as a free agent, it was in North Carolina.

And now it's back in the second round, winning a best-of-seven playoff series for the first time.

The Canes won the first two games at the Entertainment and Sports Arena before losing two at New Jersey. They won Game 5 at the ESA on Wednesday and sealed it with their fourth one-goal win of the series on Saturday.

The team everyone wanted to play in the first round is headed to the second round, where the Canes will play either the Toronto-New York Islanders winner or Montreal.

"I liken it to the little engine that could," Carolina center Rod Brind'Amour said. "Nobody thought before the series started or the playoffs started that we were going to do anything --nobody but us. In a way, it's probably easier to play when you don't have all that pressure, but we all believed in each other."

Francis, the oldest member of the franchise, got the game-winner, but the win came with contributions from two of the team's newest members.

Kevin Weekes, acquired March 5, made 32 saves for the franchise's first playoff shutout in 16 years and remains the biggest surprise of the series, thrown in when Arturs Irbe faltered only to win Games 5 and 6 for the Canes.

He made five saves on a third-period New Jersey power play, including a pad save to deny Brian Gionta an open net.

And Jaroslav Svoboda, with all of 10 games of NHL experience to his credit heading into the playoffs, set up Francis' goal with a pass that showed the poise of a veteran.

Francis, who had been injured in both the previous playoff series he'd participated in with Carolina, wasn't the only one who doled out Alka-Seltzer in relief of the Hartford hangover.

Long-suffering Glen Wesley, one of three continuous holdovers from the Whalers and the longest-serving member of the team, went down on his stomach to break up a two-on-one in the second period.

"It's very satisfying to go from where we were in Hartford to where we are right now," Wesley said. "It's taken a long time."

Wesley's defensive play was one of many by the Carolina defense that preserved the lead Francis gave the Canes on a second-period power play.

It began with Joe Nieuwendyk leading a New Jersey short-handed rush. But Sean Hill chipped the puck away from him as Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer, the other half of the two-on-one, slipped and fell down.

Francis carried the puck in the other direction, leaving it for Sami Kapanen on the right wing after he crossed the blue line.

Kapanen tapped it across the ice to rookie Svoboda, who gave it right back to Francis -- two feet ahead of Stevens at the post for an easy tap-in.

It is only fitting that the man whose identity is entangled and intertwined with that of the franchise, whose personality inexorably imbues everything the team does, should be the man who gets the game-winning goal.

"Ron Francis is one of the classiest guys the game's ever had," said Devils center and Carolina nemesis Bobby Holik. "I wish him the best."

Through sheer force of will, Francis carried the Canes for 82 games.

He has carried them for four years.

Saturday, he carried them right into the second round.

As I recall, that was a Sunday afternoon game - so did any of you go to the airport???

[nccanes]

And the series ending Game 6!!

I remember being at a soccer game for this one. Many of us had small radios and/or earphones. The rest of the people that didn't were asking us over and over for updates!


The News & Observer
April 28, 2002
One for the franchise
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer

Article Text:

East Rutherford, N.J. -- A year ago, Ron Francis staggered off the ice and out of the playoffs, his brain scrambled by a Scott Stevens hit.

The Carolina Hurricanes followed their captain into the off-season a few games later.

Saturday, Stevens was two feet behind and the New Jersey Devils a year too late.

And Francis' time finally came.

It was Francis who scored the only goal in a 1-0 win Saturday, beating Stevens to the net for a tap-in to take Game 6 of the series.

Francis, who at 39 has put together an MVP-caliber season, sent the Canes into the second round for the second time in franchise history and eliminated the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions.

"You get tired of hearing about 1986, the last time we won a series," Francis said. "Certainly, it was a heck of a series. Both teams played extremely hard, and fortunately we came out on top."

Goalless in the playoffs -- this season and in a Carolina uniform, period -- Francis exorcised both the Devils and his personal demons with one swipe of his stick.

In doing so, he erased a stigma that lingered for 16 years.

"Sitting beside Ronnie, you could feel the tension," Carolina forward Martin Gelinas said. "He wants to make it happen. He walked into this room and the guys almost gave him a standing ovation."

Francis was on that 1986 Hartford Whalers team that advanced to the second round. Traded away in 1991, by the time he came back to the franchise as a free agent, it was in North Carolina.

And now it's back in the second round, winning a best-of-seven playoff series for the first time.

The Canes won the first two games at the Entertainment and Sports Arena before losing two at New Jersey. They won Game 5 at the ESA on Wednesday and sealed it with their fourth one-goal win of the series on Saturday.

The team everyone wanted to play in the first round is headed to the second round, where the Canes will play either the Toronto-New York Islanders winner or Montreal.

"I liken it to the little engine that could," Carolina center Rod Brind'Amour said. "Nobody thought before the series started or the playoffs started that we were going to do anything --nobody but us. In a way, it's probably easier to play when you don't have all that pressure, but we all believed in each other."

Francis, the oldest member of the franchise, got the game-winner, but the win came with contributions from two of the team's newest members.

Kevin Weekes, acquired March 5, made 32 saves for the franchise's first playoff shutout in 16 years and remains the biggest surprise of the series, thrown in when Arturs Irbe faltered only to win Games 5 and 6 for the Canes.

He made five saves on a third-period New Jersey power play, including a pad save to deny Brian Gionta an open net.

And Jaroslav Svoboda, with all of 10 games of NHL experience to his credit heading into the playoffs, set up Francis' goal with a pass that showed the poise of a veteran.

Francis, who had been injured in both the previous playoff series he'd participated in with Carolina, wasn't the only one who doled out Alka-Seltzer in relief of the Hartford hangover.

Long-suffering Glen Wesley, one of three continuous holdovers from the Whalers and the longest-serving member of the team, went down on his stomach to break up a two-on-one in the second period.

"It's very satisfying to go from where we were in Hartford to where we are right now," Wesley said. "It's taken a long time."

Wesley's defensive play was one of many by the Carolina defense that preserved the lead Francis gave the Canes on a second-period power play.

It began with Joe Nieuwendyk leading a New Jersey short-handed rush. But Sean Hill chipped the puck away from him as Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer, the other half of the two-on-one, slipped and fell down.

Francis carried the puck in the other direction, leaving it for Sami Kapanen on the right wing after he crossed the blue line.

Kapanen tapped it across the ice to rookie Svoboda, who gave it right back to Francis -- two feet ahead of Stevens at the post for an easy tap-in.

It is only fitting that the man whose identity is entangled and intertwined with that of the franchise, whose personality inexorably imbues everything the team does, should be the man who gets the game-winning goal.

"Ron Francis is one of the classiest guys the game's ever had," said Devils center and Carolina nemesis Bobby Holik. "I wish him the best."

Through sheer force of will, Francis carried the Canes for 82 games.

He has carried them for four years.

Saturday, he carried them right into the second round.

As I recall, that was a Sunday afternoon game - so did any of you go to the airport???

[nccanes]

And one more about the 1st Round Win for the franchise.

Were any of you at Rudinos?


The News & Observer
April 28, 2002
Canes surge to Round 2
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer

Article Text:

East Rutherford, N.J. -- As the mob of red jerseys moved away from Kevin Weekes, Ron Francis slid in to throw an arm around Weekes, the Carolina Hurricanes' goalie.

Weekes posted a shutout and Francis scored the game-winning goal Saturday as the Canes beat the New Jersey Devils 1-0 to take their first-round NHL playoff series and advance to the second round for the first time in 16 years.

As they stood together amid the celebration on the ice at Continental Airlines Arena, they were a portrait of the franchise's past, present and future. Weekes, 27, is the newest Hurricane, acquired in a March 5 trade. Francis, 39, is the oldest, originally drafted in 1981 when the franchise was the Hartford Whalers.

When it comes to the history of the franchise, Francis knows all if it. Weekes is still learning it. Together, they made some Saturday.

"We never stopped believing in ourselves and in each other," said Francis, who played for the Whalers in 1986 when they advanced to the second round. "We did it all season long, and we were able to do it on the first round against a heck of a hockey team."

The Devils, the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, eliminated the Canes in the first round of the playoffs last season, so there was a measure of revenge. The Canes now move into the Eastern Conference semifinals against a team to be determined.

Saturday's win also brought a measure of vindication for Triangle fans loyal to a team that has been slow to draw huge crowds since its arrival in Raleigh three years ago. The team temporarily played two years in Greensboro.

The win, fans said, gives new life to the Hurricanes.

"They just flat out beat 'em. It's going to be a tremendous boost," said Sherry Hollcraft, a Canes fan since their first season. Hollcraft was among the fans who packed Rudino's Rooftop bar in North Raleigh to watch the playoffs.

She said many people who may have been indifferent to the team are likely to tune in.

David Barringer, who met Hollcraft when the two had neighboring seats at Greensboro games, said the Canes won Saturday's game with the kind of command that comes on home ice, not somebody else's.

"They played like they were at the ESA instead of Jersey," said Barringer, a North Carolina native who has been a hockey fan since middle school.

More than 500 fans, many dressed in Hurricanes jerseys and carrying homemade signs, rushed to RDU to greet the team. Behind a chain-link fence, they cheered as the players, dressed in suits and ties, came home.

"Raleigh is a hockeytown. We believe it!" read a sign Barbara Bennett, a 51-year-old Raleigh resident, carried to the airport.

"They fought so hard," Bennett said as she waited for the plane to arrive. "We're so glad to see them doing so well. It's terrific."

Several dozen fans packed around Weekes, who made 32 saves in his first post-season shutout, and shoved slips of paper and jerseys toward him for autographs as he tried to get into his black BMW sports utility vehicle. Tyler Welch, 6, and Bradley Hart, 7, both of Raleigh, ran around the front of his car as he closed the door.

"Good game, Kevin!" Tyler shouted before Weekes drove away.

In downtown Raleigh, Bob Ryer, a New Jersey resident, said that while he wasn't a serious hockey fan, he admitted that he was pulling for the Devils.

"I hadn't even heard of the Hurricanes," Ryer said.

Now, Ryer and a lot of other people in New Jersey -- and North Carolina too -- are taking note.

The Hurricanes' opponent for the next round is uncertain -- as is the sense of what this win might mean to the franchise. Last season, just making the playoffs was enough for the Canes' fans. This season, expectations were higher. So far, the Canes are meeting, if not yet exceeding, them.

"[The Triangle] got excited about our team last year, and we didn't even get this far," said Carolina center Rod Brind'Amour. "Now we've moved ahead a little more, and I think that'll get even more interest in our team. There will be more talk about it and I think that's great for the area."

Second-round tickets went on sale at the Entertainment and Sports Arena on Saturday; the box office will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Tickets may also be purchased at www.esa-today.com.

Second round. Carolina Hurricanes. Two phrases never put together before.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," said defenseman Glen Wesley, who has the longest continuous tenure with the franchise. "It'll take a couple days for it to digest, but we're proud of everyone."

Staff writers Todd Silberman and Sarah Lindenfeld Hall contributed to this report.
Copyright 2002 by The News & Observer Pub. Co.

[nccanes]

And one more about the 1st Round Win for the franchise.

Were any of you at Rudinos?


The News & Observer
April 28, 2002
Canes surge to Round 2
Author: Luke DeCock; Staff Writer

Article Text:

East Rutherford, N.J. -- As the mob of red jerseys moved away from Kevin Weekes, Ron Francis slid in to throw an arm around Weekes, the Carolina Hurricanes' goalie.

Weekes posted a shutout and Francis scored the game-winning goal Saturday as the Canes beat the New Jersey Devils 1-0 to take their first-round NHL playoff series and advance to the second round for the first time in 16 years.

As they stood together amid the celebration on the ice at Continental Airlines Arena, they were a portrait of the franchise's past, present and future. Weekes, 27, is the newest Hurricane, acquired in a March 5 trade. Francis, 39, is the oldest, originally drafted in 1981 when the franchise was the Hartford Whalers.

When it comes to the history of the franchise, Francis knows all if it. Weekes is still learning it. Together, they made some Saturday.

"We never stopped believing in ourselves and in each other," said Francis, who played for the Whalers in 1986 when they advanced to the second round. "We did it all season long, and we were able to do it on the first round against a heck of a hockey team."

The Devils, the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, eliminated the Canes in the first round of the playoffs last season, so there was a measure of revenge. The Canes now move into the Eastern Conference semifinals against a team to be determined.

Saturday's win also brought a measure of vindication for Triangle fans loyal to a team that has been slow to draw huge crowds since its arrival in Raleigh three years ago. The team temporarily played two years in Greensboro.

The win, fans said, gives new life to the Hurricanes.

"They just flat out beat 'em. It's going to be a tremendous boost," said Sherry Hollcraft, a Canes fan since their first season. Hollcraft was among the fans who packed Rudino's Rooftop bar in North Raleigh to watch the playoffs.

She said many people who may have been indifferent to the team are likely to tune in.

David Barringer, who met Hollcraft when the two had neighboring seats at Greensboro games, said the Canes won Saturday's game with the kind of command that comes on home ice, not somebody else's.

"They played like they were at the ESA instead of Jersey," said Barringer, a North Carolina native who has been a hockey fan since middle school.

More than 500 fans, many dressed in Hurricanes jerseys and carrying homemade signs, rushed to RDU to greet the team. Behind a chain-link fence, they cheered as the players, dressed in suits and ties, came home.

"Raleigh is a hockeytown. We believe it!" read a sign Barbara Bennett, a 51-year-old Raleigh resident, carried to the airport.

"They fought so hard," Bennett said as she waited for the plane to arrive. "We're so glad to see them doing so well. It's terrific."

Several dozen fans packed around Weekes, who made 32 saves in his first post-season shutout, and shoved slips of paper and jerseys toward him for autographs as he tried to get into his black BMW sports utility vehicle. Tyler Welch, 6, and Bradley Hart, 7, both of Raleigh, ran around the front of his car as he closed the door.

"Good game, Kevin!" Tyler shouted before Weekes drove away.

In downtown Raleigh, Bob Ryer, a New Jersey resident, said that while he wasn't a serious hockey fan, he admitted that he was pulling for the Devils.

"I hadn't even heard of the Hurricanes," Ryer said.

Now, Ryer and a lot of other people in New Jersey -- and North Carolina too -- are taking note.

The Hurricanes' opponent for the next round is uncertain -- as is the sense of what this win might mean to the franchise. Last season, just making the playoffs was enough for the Canes' fans. This season, expectations were higher. So far, the Canes are meeting, if not yet exceeding, them.

"[The Triangle] got excited about our team last year, and we didn't even get this far," said Carolina center Rod Brind'Amour. "Now we've moved ahead a little more, and I think that'll get even more interest in our team. There will be more talk about it and I think that's great for the area."

Second-round tickets went on sale at the Entertainment and Sports Arena on Saturday; the box office will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Tickets may also be purchased at www.esa-today.com.

Second round. Carolina Hurricanes. Two phrases never put together before.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," said defenseman Glen Wesley, who has the longest continuous tenure with the franchise. "It'll take a couple days for it to digest, but we're proud of everyone."

Staff writers Todd Silberman and Sarah Lindenfeld Hall contributed to this report.
Copyright 2002 by The News & Observer Pub. Co.

[Jeff O Rocks]

ahhhh..the memories..thanks Eileen..and no I wasn't there but sounds like the Caniacs ruled the place! :D :spin:

[Jeff O Rocks]

ahhhh..the memories..thanks Eileen..and no I wasn't there but sounds like the Caniacs ruled the place! :D :spin:

[StormShaman]

And one more about the 1st Round Win for the franchise.

Were any of you at Rudinos?


My Rudino's record is atrocious--so instead of hitting the Cool Bars I went to play my usual Saturday D&D game at State (hello, gamegeek).

I promised myself that I would go and game and not worry about what was going on in The Swamp, and not even pay attention to it until I got home that evening.

After we broke for the evening (at about 5 PM) so that I could get to work, I went out to my car in the Lee dorm parking lot and got ready to head home--I couldn't contain myself. I HAD to know what happened. I just HAD to. So I turned on the radio and immediately switched over to 850 the Buzz in time to hear Mike Solarte saying that people should head on out to the airyport and welcome the guys back, and I thought that it had gone to a seventh game.

Then Mike said something I will never EVER forget:

"For anyone that's been under a rock, the Hurricanes have advanced to the second round with a 1-0 win over New Jersey today..."

...and that's the last thing I remember except for a frenzy of jubilant shouting and screaming coming from inside my car (i.e. from me). I went tearing out of the lot after Penguin (a friend of mine), who had just pulled out. I caught up to him at the intersection of Dan Allen and Hillsborough, and started honking madly and waving at him. He rolled his window down and said "What?! What?!" And I just screamed "WE WON! WE WON! WE'RE GOING TO THE SECOND ROUND!!!"

It was a great day. Truly a great day. 16 years TO THE DAY from the day that Kevin Dineen made Larry Robinson look like a pylon and forced a 7th game in 1986, the WhalerCanes made it back to the second round to dispense a little karmic justice on the Habs.

Hopefully it won't take us another 16 years to get that far again.

[StormShaman]

And one more about the 1st Round Win for the franchise.

Were any of you at Rudinos?


My Rudino's record is atrocious--so instead of hitting the Cool Bars I went to play my usual Saturday D&D game at State (hello, gamegeek).

I promised myself that I would go and game and not worry about what was going on in The Swamp, and not even pay attention to it until I got home that evening.

After we broke for the evening (at about 5 PM) so that I could get to work, I went out to my car in the Lee dorm parking lot and got ready to head home--I couldn't contain myself. I HAD to know what happened. I just HAD to. So I turned on the radio and immediately switched over to 850 the Buzz in time to hear Mike Solarte saying that people should head on out to the airyport and welcome the guys back, and I thought that it had gone to a seventh game.

Then Mike said something I will never EVER forget:

"For anyone that's been under a rock, the Hurricanes have advanced to the second round with a 1-0 win over New Jersey today..."

...and that's the last thing I remember except for a frenzy of jubilant shouting and screaming coming from inside my car (i.e. from me). I went tearing out of the lot after Penguin (a friend of mine), who had just pulled out. I caught up to him at the intersection of Dan Allen and Hillsborough, and started honking madly and waving at him. He rolled his window down and said "What?! What?!" And I just screamed "WE WON! WE WON! WE'RE GOING TO THE SECOND ROUND!!!"

It was a great day. Truly a great day. 16 years TO THE DAY from the day that Kevin Dineen made Larry Robinson look like a pylon and forced a 7th game in 1986, the WhalerCanes made it back to the second round to dispense a little karmic justice on the Habs.

Hopefully it won't take us another 16 years to get that far again.

[Stormbringer]

I'll never forget the day the Canes advanced to the second round...not only was it the day I completed my transformation into a Caniac, but it was also the day my family and I headed off to Disney World for a week and a half. What a way to celebrate a great victory and event for the Canes... :D :cool:

[Stormbringer]

I'll never forget the day the Canes advanced to the second round...not only was it the day I completed my transformation into a Caniac, but it was also the day my family and I headed off to Disney World for a week and a half. What a way to celebrate a great victory and event for the Canes... :D :cool:

[nccanes]

It was a great day. Truly a great day. 16 years TO THE DAY from the day that Kevin Dineen made Larry Robinson look like a pylon and forced a 7th game in 1986, the WhalerCanes made it back to the second round to dispense a little karmic justice on the Habs.

Hopefully it won't take us another 16 years to get that far again.

Great story Cam. I love hearing this stuff!

Which reminds me of one of my favorite signs at Game 1 of the 2nd round "We've waited 16 years and 1 Weekes for this night". How clever was THAT person?? :) :D :cool:

[nccanes]

It was a great day. Truly a great day. 16 years TO THE DAY from the day that Kevin Dineen made Larry Robinson look like a pylon and forced a 7th game in 1986, the WhalerCanes made it back to the second round to dispense a little karmic justice on the Habs.

Hopefully it won't take us another 16 years to get that far again.

Great story Cam. I love hearing this stuff!

Which reminds me of one of my favorite signs at Game 1 of the 2nd round "We've waited 16 years and 1 Weekes for this night". How clever was THAT person?? :) :D :cool:

[Guyute]

And one more about the 1st Round Win for the franchise.

Were any of you at Rudinos?


Shell and I had a stellar Rudino's record. I tend to remember being there for one loss. Shell said we did nothing but win when we were there. In any case, after the first few wins, we did everything we could to make sure we were there, in the same seat, for every away game... for the entire run. we did miss a couple, but out of all of those away games, we were there for most of them. That place was a blast too :)

I had more fun watching wins at that place than I did at the RBC--- because of the people around us. it was amazing. hope to do it again next year.

[Guyute]

And one more about the 1st Round Win for the franchise.

Were any of you at Rudinos?


Shell and I had a stellar Rudino's record. I tend to remember being there for one loss. Shell said we did nothing but win when we were there. In any case, after the first few wins, we did everything we could to make sure we were there, in the same seat, for every away game... for the entire run. we did miss a couple, but out of all of those away games, we were there for most of them. That place was a blast too :)

I had more fun watching wins at that place than I did at the RBC--- because of the people around us. it was amazing. hope to do it again next year.

[Alicia]

Why must I still get all teary-eyed when reading this stuff? Thanks for posting, Eileen.

[Alicia]

Why must I still get all teary-eyed when reading this stuff? Thanks for posting, Eileen.

[nccanes]

Thought I'd bump this thread back up since the next two "classic" games are from this series (and a 3rd later).

Enjoy! I still love, LOVED game 2. :D

[nccanes]

Thought I'd bump this thread back up since the next two "classic" games are from this series (and a 3rd later).

Enjoy! I still love, LOVED game 2. :D

[Mona]

When I look at the pics and see the crowd in the arena, it makes me so sad.. :sad:

[Mona]

When I look at the pics and see the crowd in the arena, it makes me so sad.. :sad:

[SoCalcaniac]

Those first 2 games of the series made me FALL HARD for Erik Cole. If you read his quotes he sounds just like he does right now- except he was just a ROOKIE- amazing presence and veteran like qualities. I was howling at that the Malik flash backs. I can just see him in my head.

We were also at a soccer game listening on walkmans for game 6- Hubby being the very supersitious hockey fan thought it was not a good omen to go to this game but our niece was playing and we had to go. And I don't think there was a family out there without head phones or a radio out. I remember a collective dancing and screaming on the field when we won. What a friggin' sight! :spin:

We never did the Rudinos thing- we got all superstitious and had to be in the house, sitting in a specific chair, hubby drinking the same soda in the same glass, and blah, blah, blah, blah-nearly drove ourselves crazy with the routines hee hee. We always stayed at home when they were away, but we never missed a single game playoffs or otherwise at home in the ESA I was so grateful we decided that year to go 'full season ticket' and not 24 gamer. Oh, the memories. They're a killer.

We went to the airport. What a scene and just the best memories ever.

The pictures make it all come back. If you go to the Wendy's over by the arena- that first pic of the heap after the win, is on the walls. I like going in there just to look at all the pics they have up there.

Personally, I had a blast at these games. I remember thinking in Game 2 that we could possibly be up 2-0 to NJ!

I took it even further and hubby shot me the 'she's gone crazy look'- After Batesey scored (and I stopped screaming and jumping in the aisle with our friends across the aisle) I looked at hub and said, 'we're going to go to the finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' and he says 'lets not get too high here' LOL :D

Memories can be so cruel..... but I loved, loved, loved this trip down memory lane!

[SoCalcaniac]

Those first 2 games of the series made me FALL HARD for Erik Cole. If you read his quotes he sounds just like he does right now- except he was just a ROOKIE- amazing presence and veteran like qualities. I was howling at that the Malik flash backs. I can just see him in my head.

We were also at a soccer game listening on walkmans for game 6- Hubby being the very supersitious hockey fan thought it was not a good omen to go to this game but our niece was playing and we had to go. And I don't think there was a family out there without head phones or a radio out. I remember a collective dancing and screaming on the field when we won. What a friggin' sight! :spin:

We never did the Rudinos thing- we got all superstitious and had to be in the house, sitting in a specific chair, hubby drinking the same soda in the same glass, and blah, blah, blah, blah-nearly drove ourselves crazy with the routines hee hee. We always stayed at home when they were away, but we never missed a single game playoffs or otherwise at home in the ESA I was so grateful we decided that year to go 'full season ticket' and not 24 gamer. Oh, the memories. They're a killer.

We went to the airport. What a scene and just the best memories ever.

The pictures make it all come back. If you go to the Wendy's over by the arena- that first pic of the heap after the win, is on the walls. I like going in there just to look at all the pics they have up there.

Personally, I had a blast at these games. I remember thinking in Game 2 that we could possibly be up 2-0 to NJ!

I took it even further and hubby shot me the 'she's gone crazy look'- After Batesey scored (and I stopped screaming and jumping in the aisle with our friends across the aisle) I looked at hub and said, 'we're going to go to the finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' and he says 'lets not get too high here' LOL :D

Memories can be so cruel..... but I loved, loved, loved this trip down memory lane!

[StormShaman]

:cry:

God, reading all those old posts....

*gently weeps*

[StormShaman]

:cry:

God, reading all those old posts....

*gently weeps*

[Mona]

The pictures make it all come back. If you go to the Wendy's over by the arena- that first pic of the heap after the win, is on the walls. I like going in there just to look at all the pics they have up there.

Memories can be so cruel..... but I loved, loved, loved this trip down memory lane!

Gosh I love those pics in Wendy's.. and memories can be cruel. :D :sad:

[Mona]

The pictures make it all come back. If you go to the Wendy's over by the arena- that first pic of the heap after the win, is on the walls. I like going in there just to look at all the pics they have up there.

Memories can be so cruel..... but I loved, loved, loved this trip down memory lane!

Gosh I love those pics in Wendy's.. and memories can be cruel. :D :sad:

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Memories can be so cruel..... but I loved, loved, loved this trip down memory lane!
Gosh I love those pics in Wendy's.. and memories can be cruel. :D :sad:
They sure can be. Remembering the feeling I had during those times is just incredible...yet still knowing how it ended kills me. :sad: :cry:

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

Memories can be so cruel..... but I loved, loved, loved this trip down memory lane!
Gosh I love those pics in Wendy's.. and memories can be cruel. :D :sad:
They sure can be. Remembering the feeling I had during those times is just incredible...yet still knowing how it ended kills me. :sad: :cry:

[Stormbringer]

The pictures make it all come back. If you go to the Wendy's over by the arena- that first pic of the heap after the win, is on the walls. I like going in there just to look at all the pics they have up there.

Memories can be so cruel..... but I loved, loved, loved this trip down memory lane!

Gosh I love those pics in Wendy's.. and memories can be cruel. :D :sad:

Last season, whenever a friend of mine and I ate at the Wendy's across from the RBC before a game, I made it a tradition to try my very best to sit next to the picture of the GWG in Game One of the 2002 SCF.

I love that picture of the heap...heck, I love them all. :sad: :smoke:

[Stormbringer]

The pictures make it all come back. If you go to the Wendy's over by the arena- that first pic of the heap after the win, is on the walls. I like going in there just to look at all the pics they have up there.

Memories can be so cruel..... but I loved, loved, loved this trip down memory lane!

Gosh I love those pics in Wendy's.. and memories can be cruel. :D :sad:

Last season, whenever a friend of mine and I ate at the Wendy's across from the RBC before a game, I made it a tradition to try my very best to sit next to the picture of the GWG in Game One of the 2002 SCF.

I love that picture of the heap...heck, I love them all. :sad: :smoke:

[talkingcanes]

reading this thread just makes me equal part pissed and sad. jerk players and jerk owners :mad:

if every person could attend just one playoff hockey game, hockey would be the most popular sport on the planet. I don't think anyone can be immersed in the atmosphere of a playoff game and not come away hooked.

[talkingcanes]

reading this thread just makes me equal part pissed and sad. jerk players and jerk owners :mad:

if every person could attend just one playoff hockey game, hockey would be the most popular sport on the planet. I don't think anyone can be immersed in the atmosphere of a playoff game and not come away hooked.

[puck_it]

i went to game two... i rember the ringing in my ears after the game :)

[puck_it]

i went to game two... i rember the ringing in my ears after the game :)