Your Favorite Playoff Memory(ies) from last season!

[Jeff O Rocks]

There is a thread for this in ch.com...but I thought you guys might want to contribute to it here..

I have 3..

Game 3 with the Wings...amazing "marathon" of a game..

Game 4, I was in Section 313 and there were some Wings' fans right beside of us....the Canes came out and Welcome to the Jungle started playing, all the rally towels were waving and the noise was incredible..at that point I looked at them, and they were looking at the entire arena with this look of awe on their faces as they took us all in...I just got chills typing that..the memory is SO vivid!

and the 3rd one was the standing "ear splitting" ovation we gave our Canes after Game 4...we still had hope but in our hearts, we all knew they probably wouldn't be back! :cry: Very classy!! ;)

[folgersnyourcup]

My memory is similar. Game three of the finals was unbelievable, everything about it was special. The ending was mind-numbingly depressing but it was still a great game. I will always remember when "Welcome To the Jungle" was played at the start of the playoff games and everyone passionately waved the towels and yelled. That was great. I also enjoyed the ovation at the end of game four but not its' implications. I wished I could have been cheering as the clock ticked down on a Hurricanes win but it was still a great moment.

Also, Gelinas' OT goal in game 6 of the Conference Finals to FINALLY put the Leafs away. I was scared of having to attend a game 7 that the Canes might have lost particularly when Sundin scored to send the game to OT.

The Finals were great and the series was obviously closer than a 4-1 Wings series win indicates. One bounce in game three and the series might have ended completely differently. When I think about Hull's goal, I just can't believe it went in to tie the game at 2. He himself called it a lucky goal and I have to agree with him. It was an amazing set up but just the fact that it actually got by Irbe and ddn't hit the post or crossbar i astounding. Credit to Hull of course though.

Looking forward to next years' playoff memories.

[Stormbringer]

Geez, this is so tricky, but if I had to choose one, it would have to be when Ronnie got the game-winning-goal in Game One. Everything, from how quick it happened in such a way that it was stunning to the look of sheer joy on the dude's face was awe-inspiring. I, as Electric Light Orchestra would perform, can't get it out of my head.

As for negative memories, there are plenty of them regarding last year's Stanley Cup Finals, but I'd have to go with how setting up my VCR and not turning it off made me miss out on recording the encore presentation of Game One. I'll never forget waking up later that morning and realizing what had happened when I felt like seeing Ronnie's GWG again...a pit in my stomach formed. With that said, I have a confession to make...that moment made me cut off the ""DO NOT REMOVE UNDER PENALTY OF LAW" tag from my bed's mattress. Actually, I had a gut feeling from there on that the Canes' luck would run out because of what I did. And very unfortunately, my gut feeling did not lie... :sad:

[StormShaman]

"Centering feed, THEY SCORE! Martin Gelinas, in sudden death overtime! And it's strange, but true. Folks, the Carolina Hurricanes...are going...to the Stanley Cup Finals. WOW!"

Good times, good times.... :cry:

[Stormbringer]

"Centering feed, THEY SCORE! Martin Gelinas, in sudden death overtime! And it's strange, but true. Folks, the Carolina Hurricanes...are going...to the Stanley Cup Finals. WOW!"

A very good one Camille, and one that I actually have on tape...I think I might go catch a glimpse of that particular part of last year's playoffs you cited right now... :spin:

[Jeff O Rocks]

"Centering feed, THEY SCORE! Martin Gelinas, in sudden death overtime! And it's strange, but true. Folks, the Carolina Hurricanes...are going...to the Stanley Cup Finals. WOW!"

Good times, good times.... :cry:

Just the thought of hearing that..made me have chills...as folgers said, opporunities for new playoff memories will hopefully be here next season!

[StormShaman]

"Centering feed, THEY SCORE! Martin Gelinas, in sudden death overtime! And it's strange, but true. Folks, the Carolina Hurricanes...are going...to the Stanley Cup Finals. WOW!"

A very good one Camille, and one that I actually have on tape...I think I might go catch a glimpse of that particular part of last year's playoffs you cited right now... :spin:

For as long as I live, I will never say a bad thing about Steve Levy.

Cross my heart and hope to be a Craps fan.

[nccanes]

"Centering feed, THEY SCORE! Martin Gelinas, in sudden death overtime! And it's strange, but true. Folks, the Carolina Hurricanes...are going...to the Stanley Cup Finals. WOW!"

A very good one Camille, and one that I actually have on tape...I think I might go catch a glimpse of that particular part of last year's playoffs you cited right now... :spin:

If anyone else want to see/hear this again (and doesn't have the tape), it's on the Canes Website in the Playoffs section from last season...

http://www.caneshockey.com/custom/rad93089.asp

[Jeff O Rocks]

The ONLY good thing about us not being in the playoffs again this year, is the fact that we ALL were grateful to be there and NEVER took anything for granted!! :sad: We loved EVERY minute of it!! :spin:

[Canesluver]

Hmmmm. . . . favorite moments . . . y'all have already mentioned some of mine, but here's a few more:

1) Seeing Nicky score not one, but 2 OT goals! And then in recaps later, hearing the announcers say things like, "What did Nic Wallin do, that Gretzky never did? Score 2 OT game winners in the playoffs!" It just made me smile to hear Nick being mentioned in the same breath as Gretzky.

2)Game 1 of the Canadiens series: I like to make signs. I thought for this game, I should write it in French, because everyone in Montreal would be watching, and it would surely get on the CBC feed. My sign said, "Bonsoir Montreal! Les 'Canes c'est magnifique!" (Good evening Montreal! The 'Canes are magnificent!"). Well, the next day -- a friend sent me a link to an English language newspaper in Montreal. The writer was really complimentary of the 'Canes, and he said in the last paragraph: "A smiling fan held up a cardboard sign that said, 'Bonsoir, Montreal! Les 'Canes c'est magnifique!' And last night -- they were." :D AND -- later that night, while we were sitting at a bar, the t.v. was tuned to ESPN, and as part of the game highlights, they showed my sign! Those new Sharpie markers should be tax deductable!! :)

3) Game 5 of the Maple Leafs series -- A day before the game, I told my husband that a lot of people from the message boards were going to paint on fake bruises around their right eye to show support for O. He thought that was funny and said, "You can paint one on me, if you want." Now my husband has never dressed up for Halloween, and never likes to call attention to himself, so I thought, "Right-- that'll happen.. . ." Anyway the next night, not only did he surprise me and let me do it, but I also made fake bruises on myself, and my brother and sister-in-law who were visiting from Georgia!! Even though we lost, we still had a great time.

[Turbulence]

"A smiling fan held up a cardboard sign that said, 'Bonsoir, Montreal! Les 'Canes c'est magnifique!' And last night -- they were." :D AND -- later that night, while we were sitting at a bar, the t.v. was tuned to ESPN, and as part of the game highlights, they showed my sign!

Very cool...I'll have to brush up on my French the next time the Habs are in town! :spin:

[StormShaman]

Oh, I almost forgot--another great memory from last season's playoffs was when I got to meet Ken Dryden, who was down here for Game 5.

There are not words to describe how cool it was to meet such a legend.

[Stormbringer]

Oh, I almost forgot--another great memory from last season's playoffs was when I got to meet Ken Dryden, who was down here for Game 5.

There are not words to describe how cool it was to meet such a legend.

Holy cow...I don't ever recall you telling us about this Camille. Which Game Five was it? I would assume against Toronto since Dryden is (I think.) the president of the Leafs. That's too cool... :cool:

[StormShaman]

Oh, I almost forgot--another great memory from last season's playoffs was when I got to meet Ken Dryden, who was down here for Game 5.

There are not words to describe how cool it was to meet such a legend.

Holy cow...I don't ever recall you telling us about this Camille. Which Game Five was it? I would assume against Toronto since Dryden is (I think.) the president of the Leafs. That's too cool... :cool:

Yep, was Game 5 of the Conference Finals. Even though we lost that game, getting to meet The Octopus made the night worth everything.

[nccanes]

2)Game 1 of the Canadiens series: I like to make signs. I thought for this game, I should write it in French, because everyone in Montreal would be watching, and it would surely get on the CBC feed. My sign said, "Bonsoir Montreal! Les 'Canes c'est magnifique!" (Good evening Montreal! The 'Canes are magnificent!"). Well, the next day -- a friend sent me a link to an English language newspaper in Montreal. The writer was really complimentary of the 'Canes, and he said in the last paragraph: "A smiling fan held up a cardboard sign that said, 'Bonsoir, Montreal! Les 'Canes c'est magnifique!' And last night -- they were." :D AND -- later that night, while we were sitting at a bar, the t.v. was tuned to ESPN, and as part of the game highlights, they showed my sign! Those new Sharpie markers should be tax deductable!! :)


Holy Crap Shawn - we've been friends for THIS long and you never told me that?! ;)

How freakin cool is that!! :smoke:

[tommy]

Top 3 Memories...

3) Game 2 of the Montreal series... the only playoff game I got to see in person... and we won 2-0. I was in section 310, VERY TOP ROW, with my brother and our friend. We had SO much fun and it was SO SO loud!

2) The triple-OT game... we watched it at Raleighwood on the bigscreen, and the NBC news crew was there and we got on TV! Even though we lost in triple OT, it was so much fun to be there, and it really WAS a great game.

1) Just GOTTA agree with StormShaman... "THE CAROLINA HURRICANES.... ARE GOING... TO THE STANLEY... CUP... FINALS. WOW!!!"

[Canesluver]

Holy Crap Shawn - we've been friends for THIS long and you never told me that?! ;)

How freakin cool is that!! :smoke:

Sorry! ;)
Guess the memory got topped by my "Tractor Dance" on ESPN highlights after last November's Detroit game! :spin:

[tommy]

"Centering feed, THEY SCORE! Martin Gelinas, in sudden death overtime! And it's strange, but true. Folks, the Carolina Hurricanes...are going...to the Stanley Cup Finals. WOW!"

A very good one Camille, and one that I actually have on tape...I think I might go catch a glimpse of that particular part of last year's playoffs you cited right now... :spin:

If anyone else want to see/hear this again (and doesn't have the tape), it's on the Canes Website in the Playoffs section from last season...

http://www.caneshockey.com/custom/rad93089.asp

Thank you for the link!!!! Wow, that sent shivers down my spine!!!

[Jeff O Rocks]

Game 5 of the Maple Leafs series -- A day before the game, I told my husband that a lot of people from the message boards were going to paint on fake bruises around their right eye to show support for O. He thought that was funny and said, "You can paint one on me, if you want." Now my husband has never dressed up for Halloween, and never likes to call attention to himself, so I thought, "Right-- that'll happen.. . ." Anyway the next night, not only did he surprise me and let me do it, but I also made fake bruises on myself, and my brother and sister-in-law who were visiting from Georgia!! Even though we lost, we still had a great time.

Another favorite of mine too Shawn...for obvious reasons....I didn't black my eye for the game but that was so cool seeing everyone in the crowd plus most of the ushers with a black eye..I know O was blown away by all that attention!! (Better late than never, this past Halloween I went to the arena as O....I did the black eye and I even did a beard ....I got some really strange looks but mostly smiles!!) :spin:

[Stormbringer]

(Better late than never, this past Halloween I went to the arena as O....I did the black eye and I even did a beard ....I got some really strange looks but mostly smiles!!) :spin:

Great minds think alike Mona...for this past Halloween/my birthday, part of my costume was a black eye just like O's. I thought of it that morning, when trying to come up with something cool on my face when I took off my mask. And thanks to an Eye Care Associates "Let's go Canes!" sign and ad I kept that featured a picture with O and his black eye, I was able to make a nice duplicate...

http://www.missfantastic.com/CarolinaHurricanes/fantasticane2.jpg

[Turbulence]

Wow...that looks like it hurt. :spin:

[nccanes]

Wow, where to begin.

I've put some of mine in the Flashbacks thread, but I'll list some of the best here too.

One thing was cool about the ECF and the Finals is that some friends of ours got billed incorrectly for those 2nd two rounds and in addition to fixing the mistake, their ticket rep gave them 2 premier parking passes for the final rounds. That made our tailgating base of operations quite nice. Our group included about 5 families - all with boys. We would set up as close to the ESA as possible and the boys had the RV and handicapped area to set up their inline hockey games (until that section filled in with cars - usually quite close to the game). During the ECFs we were near those obnoxious Leafs fans (who of course, were just having fun) and as I mentioned, I met Ron MacLean's wife.

For the Cup Finals, the kids hockey game was filmed by CBS Detroit, and the LA Times interviewed them and a friend's son was featured in a photo that ran in their paper. I also mentioned that we were included in a Herald-Sun article about the tailgaters at the playoff games.

For Game 5 against the Leafs, my boys and I were the only ones from our group that could attend the game - everyone else (including my husband) was out of town. Of course my son had his faux black eye on. The arena full of black eyes HAD to be one of the coolest things! :spin: Anyway, we sat next to the coolest Leaf guys. We were both happy we weren't sitting next to unruly fans of the "other team". They took a photo of my kids to take back to show their kids, and I had my son take a photo of me with them.

And as I mentioned before, we were sitting in front of Rod Brind'Amour's parents for Game 3 of the Cup Finals. The nicest folks you'd want to meet. My husband always makes fun of me for talking too much, but if I hadn't asked about his shirt (a golf shirt that said "Rod Brind'Amour Classic") we would never have learned it was them. When they told us who they were, his Dad said "I noticed your son has Roddy's autograph on his jersey" and looked as proud as could be. Then when they did the Canes promo (the one with the skates and sticks and stuff) he was like "those are Roddy's skates!!". :smoke:

I guess that's it...for now. ;)

[nccanes]

This is my hands-down favorite article about the Playoffs last year. Sums up the memories pretty darn well.... :spin:

For now, hockey honeymoon is on in Carolina
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Wayne Drehs
ESPN.com

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The game was over. Sure, there were technically some 90 seconds left and sure the Red Wings were in full attack mode, but Carolina Hurricanes fans could taste it. They could feel it.

After a 'Canes goal, the noise in the ESA is as loud as a jet airplane.
But then disaster struck. Brett Hull deflected a Nicklas Lidstrom slapper to the back of the net, and in the blink of an eye, hockey's newest converts were introduced to one of its oldest emotions: heartbreak.

"Man, this hockey stuff can kill you," said 24-year-old "Caniac" Dan Lindeman as he wandered the concourse in search of a beer stand after Hull's game-tying goal Saturday night. "I can't handle this. I'm not used to this."

Few in this area are. They cheer basketball, where scoring is cheap and a late-game rally is easy to identify. They watch auto racing, where the driver at the end of the pack has no chance to charge forward and win in the final lap. And they love football, where if a team doesn't get into position, there's no chance for a game-tying field goal.

Yet, in a strange twist, fans who never imagined craving the Stanley Cup like they do the Winston Cup are in love. And like any naive budding love, memories of pain are ideally short. Take the aftermath of Hull's third-period miracle and Igor Larionov's game winner. There were no boos. No tears. No cuss words. Just applause. For both teams.

The Sunday morning newscast continued the, "Boy, we almost beat them" theme: "How about those Hurricanes, did they give it quite an effort or what?," the newscaster said.

And then there was the front page of the Raleigh News & Observer, which read: "TIMELESS: Canes lose 3-2 in 3rd OT, win moral victory in area's first game for Cup."

Imagine the folks in Detroit or Montreal or Toronto -- any of the Original Six -- talking about losses as moral victories in the Stanley Cup finals. Doesn't happen.

But here in Carolina, where the relationship between the 'Canes and their fans is a budding sense of puppy love, neither can do any wrong. After the Game 3 loss, fans were just ecstatic to be a part of the third-longest game in Cup history.

"It was for me the best sports moment in my life," said Chapel Hill's Ray Shaw. "Everyone felt as if they were part of a historic event. If we are to lose a game (or the series) to another team, no team is as deserving as Detroit. We can hold our heads high knowing that they fought for it and they had to earn it."

Like any brand-new, candy-coated relationship, this one too is nauseating to outsiders. Especially those who think it's sacrilegious that the Stanley Cup champion will be determined partly on Tobacco Road.

But right or wrong, hockey in these parts appears to have caught on, with its own Southern flavor. What other hockey town has a pregame tailgate that resembles a cross between a Florida-Tennessee football game and a Jimmy Buffett concert. Cold beer? Check. Smokey Joe? Check. Inflatable pool, complete with thong-clad inhabitants? Check and check.

"That was definitely a first for me," Detroit center and 19-year NHL veteran Steve Yzerman said of the state fair-like pregame party. "At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, they were already going strong. And I'll tell you, that's a long shift from 4 until 1 a.m. -- something they should be proud of."

Carolina or bust

It wasn't always this way. When the team left Hartford, Conn., in 1997, the arena in Raleigh wasn't ready so the 'Canes played an hour and a half away in Greensboro.

They averaged fewer than 10,000 fans per game and as few as 5,000 would show up for games against lesser competition. Things were so bad that the team would draw a dark black curtain over the upper bowl of the Greensboro Coliseum to hide thousands of empty seats.

At one game, injured Phoenix Coyotes forward Keith Tkachuk was able to watch the game from the stands without being bothered. And when teammate Jeremy Roenick injured himself in the second period, he dressed and joined Tkachuk in the stands. Nobody had a clue who the two hockey stars were.

How bad were things? Head coach Paul Maurice had to be careful not to make his on-ice instructions too vulgar. "There was a game a few years ago that a linesman came over and asked me to watch my language because the people on the other side could hear it very clearly," Maurice said.

Raleigh wasn't even team owner Peter Karmanos' first choice. He had visions of a team in suburban Detroit. But the Red Wings barked at that idea, so Karmanos investigated Columbus, Houston, Oklahoma City and Raleigh.

Despite what some might think, hockey wasn't entirely foreign to the area known as The Triangle -- the name given to the area which encompasses three major research universities. According to the U.S. Census survey, more than 40 percent of area residents were born outside the region, many in NHL cities such as Buffalo, Boston, Chicago and New York.

But Carolina's own research showed that just seven percent of the area's residents considered themselves hockey fanatics. At one point, Karmanos' team nearly played in a refurbished aircraft hangar in Columbus. Instead, he gambled on Raleigh, fully aware that the first two years in Greensboro would be a financial waste.

More than 100 fans greeted the Hurricanes when they arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 2 a.m. after Game 2 in Detroit.
"It was tough," said Chuck Kaiton, who has worked 23 years as the franchise's radio play-by-play man. "People from Raleigh didn't want to drive to Greensboro and the people in Greensboro knew we were headed to Raleigh. It wasn't easy. But once we were settled here, you could tell this had the potential to be something special."

Selling the South

The NHL's decade-long effort to sell hockey in southeastern markets has drawn mixed reviews. In Raleigh, just like Miami, Tampa Bay and Atlanta, the challenge has been to educate fans who were more likely to know NASCAR veteran Geoff Bodine than hometown stars such as Carolina forward Jeff O'Neill.

The 'Canes also found competition for the sports entertainment dollar with Duke, North Carolina and North Carolina State athletics. There was also competition from arena football, along with minor league baseball's Durham Bulls.

But the Hurricanes marketing staff worked tirelessly. They ran endless promotions, trying to get people in the door. Once in, they educated them by passing out a sheet of NHL rules. During games, they explained various calls on the scoreboard. And fans were encouraged to bring portable radios so they could listen to Kaiton's on-air explanations of what was happening before them.

"If something happened in the flow of the game, like icing or a two-line pass, I'd try to explain it to the fan at the time it happened," Kaiton said. "I tried to help them understand what was going on. But you can't assume that everybody is new to the sport, so you don't want to change your broadcast too much to insult the listener, either."

They cranked up the music. Brought in scantilly-dressed cheerleaders. Encouraged tailgating. Pranced around a dancing pig as a mascot. And used wrestling star Ric Flair to scream and yell and energize the crowd after every Carolina goal. "WOOO," Flair still yells. "That was a Carolina Hurricanes goal. WOOOO."

As the interest began to build, the team began to improve, culminating last year's two playoff victories against defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey. This season, the franchise's goals were made very public: win a playoff series or bust. And when the team did beat the Devils in the first round, the interest soared.

Since that series, each time the Hurricanes return home, hoards of fans greet the team at Raleigh-Durham Airport. They stand outside the Entertainment and Sports Arena, searching for autographs. And tickets for the three home Stanley Cup games sold out in 35 minutes.

"The key is that I think we're structured right for the area," Maurice said. "We have got just a number of very classy veterans that are very involved in the community. And then there are a lot of good young guys, and they -- that's what they are used to seeing down there with the college sports. They're used to seeing young athletes performing, so I think there's a real good mix."

Talk about a mix. Sports fans that were once divided by their allegiances to the Blue Devils, Tar Heels and Wolfpack are unified -- all in the name of hockey.

"In The Triangle, from a sports rooting standpoint, there seems to be a division in three segments," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. "This is the one opportunity the community has had to come together and root for something en masse."

And boy do they root. With their raucous showing in this year's playoffs, fans at the ESA have been tabbed the league's loudest. Against the Red Wings in Game 3, the decibel level reached 114 -- just three short of a jet engine.

Many of the fans stand, scream and wave their hockey hankies for the entire game. Even if it's a triple-overtime game.

"I've been to the Stanley Cup in one way or another every year sine 1993 and I've never seen a place like it," said ESPN analyst Barry Melrose. "It's truly remarkable."

Pregame in the parking lot

Just as remarkable -- for a hockey game, that is -- was the scene outside the arena. Bikini-clad fans wandered the parking lot looking for attention. Fans tossed around footballs and played street hockey. A huge tent featured a virtual taste of Raleigh, with restaurants from around the area selling their specialties.

Nearby, fans gathered at a Bud Light display to play bubble hockey. They had their faces painted. They clustered around a live band. And they did everything they could to make a hockey game seem like the infield at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"What can I say?," said Tony Carr, sitting in an inflatable pool with a beer in his hands. "This is ice hockey -- Carolina style."

The partying caught the attention of the Red Wings, who were shocked when their team bus rolled into the stadium parking lot around 4 p.m., some four hours before faceoff, and the lot was jammed and jumping.

"Anytime you can find a way to mix ice hockey and tailgating -- I'm all for it," Detroit winger Darren McCarty said. "I mean this place is unbelievable."

Teammate Jiri Fischer agreed.

"The way everyone was smiling and laughing and having fun," he said, "one would think they had to have been influenced by an alcoholic beverage."

Inside the arena, fans poked fun of themselves. They've heard the playoff-long jokes about Mayberry and Aunt Bea and are now mocking Wings fans -- and the media -- by mocking the jokes. One sign read: "Red Neck Hockey." Another: "Aunt Bea's Canes."

"It was funny at first," Maurice said of the jokes that painted Raleigh as a NASCAR town where fans throw chicken bones on the ice. "But it's probably more embarrassing now for the people who are saying it."

A lasting impression

How long this honeymoon lasts remains to be seen. Like any relationship, the newness will wear off at some point and fans will be left with a decision: Should I stay or should go?

Despite this year's success, Carolina management has acknowledged the team will again lose money. Already, season-ticket holders are griping about proposed hikes in prices, though management says it's a necessity.

Raleigh residents have to look no further than Charlotte to see what happens when management and fans bicker. The Hornets were among the NBA's league leaders in attendance in the mid-1990s, but next year they'll play in New Orleans. Then there's the NFL's Carolina Panthers, who, similar to the Hurricanes, won their division soon after arriving in Charlotte. In their second season, the Panthers made it all the way to the NFC championship game. But five losing seasons later, the franchise struggles mightily to fill Ericsson Stadium.

During the Hurricanes' regular season, television and radio support was minimal. Not all the games were on television, and those that were averaged less than 1 percent of the region's 610,350 homes with cable television. The flagship radio station measures only 10,000 watts during the day and 5,000 at night.

But one would think if such young players as Erik Cole and Bates Battaglia continue to mature, and this year's chase for the Stanley Cup is followed up with another strong run next year, this might develop into a long-term relationship that will make others envious.

"I think they are the best fans in hockey," defenseman Sean Hill said. "They love us and we love them. And I don't see any reason why that's going to change."

Wayne Drehs is a staff writer at ESPN.com.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Thanks Eileen...what a great reminder of the playoffs...

One other thing that I remember...I went to pickup tickets for Game 3 (I was lucky enough to get through to Ticketmaster) and when I got to the arena...the trucks from the networks were there..they were putting up Stanley Cup Banners and tents, Hurricane Eyes on signs and clothing everywhere, it was just a hubub of activity...I just stood back and took it all in ....and at that moment, I felt like I would burst with pride....and I knew I would be a Caniac the rest of my days!! :spin:

[tommy]

Yet, in a strange twist, fans who never imagined craving the Stanley Cup like they do the Winston Cup are in love. And like any naive budding love, memories of pain are ideally short. Take the aftermath of Hull's third-period miracle and Igor Larionov's game winner. There were no boos. No tears. No cuss words. Just applause. For both teams.

The Sunday morning newscast continued the, "Boy, we almost beat them" theme: "How about those Hurricanes, did they give it quite an effort or what?," the newscaster said.

And then there was the front page of the Raleigh News & Observer, which read: "TIMELESS: Canes lose 3-2 in 3rd OT, win moral victory in area's first game for Cup."

Imagine the folks in Detroit or Montreal or Toronto -- any of the Original Six -- talking about losses as moral victories in the Stanley Cup finals. Doesn't happen.

But here in Carolina, where the relationship between the 'Canes and their fans is a budding sense of puppy love, neither can do any wrong. After the Game 3 loss, fans were just ecstatic to be a part of the third-longest game in Cup history.

NICE.

That is why Canes fans are tops in the league... that is awesome.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

:cry:
Thanks for posting that Eileen!

OT: I have one question though....is there really a Winston "Cup"....I mean an actual Cup? I don't even know.

[Turbulence]

Yes: The winner of the series receives a trophy with a big cup on it.
It isn't 1 cup like the Stanley Cup is, though. It's a new cup for every winner...

[Jeff O Rocks]

Yes: The winner of the series receives a trophy with a big cup on it.
It isn't 1 cup like the Stanley Cup is, though. It's a new cup for every winner...

Is that what they win when they win the points race?? Along with lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$?

[Turbulence]

Yep. The big trophy and lots of moolah. :smoke:

[Kapanen024]

Game 6 against Toronto ~ woohaa!!

and of course... Game 3 against Detroit ~ 3OT... :spin:

[rons#1fan]

I know this is memories of the Playoffs last year, but how about our win over Detroit this year ? :D Sweeeeeeeeeeet ! That made this year not so bad when I think about it.....

[Jeff O Rocks]

I know this is memories of the Playoffs last year, but how about our win over Detroit this year ? :D Sweeeeeeeeeeet ! That made this year not so bad when I think about it.....

That made me smile the rest of the season...even on the bad days..and we had plenty of those.. :roll:

[AbNormal27]

My memories?

Round 1 - Gaining revenge and beating out the New Jersey Devils.

Round 2 - Beating the Montreal Candiens, my wife and mother-in-law's favourite team.

Eastern Conference Finals - Beating EVERYONE else's (in my area) favourite team the Toronto Maple Leafs and FINALLY getting to see something I had been waiting for since 1979.... "THE CAROLINA HURRICANES.... ARE GOING... TO THE STANLEY... CUP... FINALS. WOW!!!"

Stanley Cup Finals - The game one winner in OT by Captain Ron was enough to make me jump out of my skin! But watching that piece of garbage (do I really have to name him for you's?) carrying the Cup for a third time made me weep openly. It just didn't seem fair. That's something I'd really rather forget.

Aaryn

[Turbulence]

That's something I'd really rather forget.


You'll have forgotten all of that in about a year...

[AbNormal27]

You'll have forgotten all of that in about a year...

Promise? Because if you do and I don't forget all of that in about a year, I'll be making a trip to "The Hotel California" and looking you up. ;)

Aaryn

[AbNormal27]

If anyone else want to see/hear this again (and doesn't have the tape), it's on the Canes Website in the Playoffs section from last season...

http://www.caneshockey.com/custom/rad93089.asp

I must be doing something wrong here. Is this a link to the playoff recap page or is this a link to the sound byte where those wonderful words were broadcast?

Aaryn

[Stormbringer]

If anyone else want to see/hear this again (and doesn't have the tape), it's on the Canes Website in the Playoffs section from last season...

http://www.caneshockey.com/custom/rad93089.asp

I must be doing something wrong here. Is this a link to the playoff recap page or is this a link to the sound byte where those wonderful words were broadcast?

Not doing anything wrong Aaryn...the link is both a playoff page and home of a link to the infamous "THE CAROLINA HURRICANES ARE GOING TO THE STANLEY CUP FINALS!". :)

[nccanes]

If anyone else want to see/hear this again (and doesn't have the tape), it's on the Canes Website in the Playoffs section from last season...

http://www.caneshockey.com/custom/rad93089.asp

I must be doing something wrong here. Is this a link to the playoff recap page or is this a link to the sound byte where those wonderful words were broadcast?

Aaryn

Look on the right side - in the box with the scores. Each game has a highlight link.

Maybe this will work - a direct link:

mms://wm.nhl.na-central.speedera.net/wm.nhl.na-central/highlights/may/teams/CAR/3_20012002_316_300.wmv

[Stormbringer]

Or if that one is loading too slow (Or you have a slower modem...):

mms://wm.nhl.na-central.speedera.net/wm.nhl.na-central/highlights/may/teams/CAR/3_20012002_316_56.wmv

[AbNormal27]

Hey folks, normally I wouldn't be having these problems, but I am not feeling well today. So, if someone would be so kind as to download it and email the .wmv file to me, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm going back to bed. :sad:

Aaryn

[Turbulence]

I would, Aaryn, but I can't seem to be able to download it...anyone else having this problem?

Hope you feel better...

[Stormbringer]

It won't let me download it either... :sad:

Hope you feel better soon too Aaryn.

[1Irbegirlforever]

Weeell....the biggest memory of all-not the happiest-was the game 3 of the finals....REAL BIG heartbreaker! :sad:

Happy memories? When we eliminated the Devils! :) :) :) AND Miracle at Molson! :) :) :)

[folgersnyourcup]

It's a streaming file and can't be downloaded the conventional way..... My younger brother knows how to get around streaming audio files and to download those but according to him there is no way to download a streaming video file. I honestly have no idea whether there is some possible way but I have always assumed there is not.

Definitely stinks. It would be really neat to burn a cd with all of these game recap video clips saved on it....

[Jeff O Rocks]

I just had to share this with you guys...nobody outside of the "Caniac World" could appreciate it...

I went to get something to drink and we have our Stanley Cup Finals glasses from Game 4 :cry: :cry: on top of the fridge. I was just standing there looking at those and reading them and it still amazes me that the Canes were actually there last season...makes me happy and sad at the same time... :) :cry: anyway..it made me think of all of us and gave me hope that one day I will replace those with glasses that say......STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! :spin:

[talkingcanes]

I just had to share this with you guys...nobody outside of the "Caniac World" could appreciate it...

I went to get something to drink and we have our Stanley Cup Finals glasses from Game 4 :cry: :cry: on top of the fridge. I was just standing there looking at those and reading them and it still amazes me that the Canes were actually there last season...makes me happy and sad at the same time... :) :cry: anyway..it made me think of all of us and gave me hope that one day I will replace those with glasses that say......STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! :spin:

I'll drink to that JOR ;)

[Stormbringer]

I just had to share this with you guys...nobody outside of the "Caniac World" could appreciate it...

I went to get something to drink and we have our Stanley Cup Finals glasses from Game 4 :cry: :cry: on top of the fridge. I was just standing there looking at those and reading them and it still amazes me that the Canes were actually there last season...makes me happy and sad at the same time... :) :cry: anyway..it made me think of all of us and gave me hope that one day I will replace those with glasses that say......STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! :spin:

I'll drink to that JOR ;)

And so will I. :spin: ;)

[Mona2006]

^ The dream came true!! :nanner::yippee:

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

^ What a change 4 or five years makes...seeing some names that posted in there.