Canes win with two late goals in the last 1:20 to Stun Devils and Win Series 4-3
Tonight was why a lot of people across the world watch sports. This epic series between two very evenly matched teams the Devils and Canes, gave us fans our complete moneys worth. The Canes did start out well with Tuomo Ruutu scoring just over a minute in this game to have Carolina take the lead 1-0. The Devils spurned on by their home crowd did a great job of responding with Jamie Langenbrunner scoring on a great feed from the slick Zack Parise to tie it at 1. Later on NJ took the lead when Jay Pandolfo scored on a great cross ice pass from John Madden at 13:27 of the first. The Devils showed that they shook off their flat performance in Game 6 in Carolina on Sunday Night. One other thought that came from period 1 was that the Devils did hit a bit more and had control of this game. David Clarkson nailed Ruutu with a clean hit that was just awesome hockey. Shots were 9 apiece in period 1.
In the second period the Canes tied it when Eric Staal set up the Wizard Ray Whitney with kind of a fluky goal that Whitney shot hard, missed the puck then it went off of the toe of his skate and in between the pads of Brodeur. The hitting was still awesome as well between both teams. Tim Gleason was all over the Devils forwards with his physical play the whole series. A gaffe by Patrick Eaves led to NJ taking the lead 3-2 when Brian Gionta took an errant drop pass from Eaves and skated up ice. He then fed Brian Ralston a pass off the boards that was an absolute rocket to the top left corner blocker side of Ward. The shot must have been almost 95 MPH. Ralston has always been a good player in his career very quietly. The Canes could have been down more if not for Cam Ward and good penalty killing. Gleason took a 4 minute high sticking penalty with a little less than 2 minutes left in the second period. The Devils outshot the Canes 14-10 in the second and if not for Cam Ward maybe put this game out of reach.
The third period started off pretty tame before starting to heat up as it neared the 10 minute mark. Marty Brodeur was stellar in keeping the game at 3-2 Devils. Tummo Ruutu had one of those nights where he must have had a target on this back. Ward kept the game at 3-2 stopping Madden on a rush on a 2 on one and another save as well on Langenbrunner in the 3rd.
He as absolutely pasted by a clean hit later in the game by Elias and was stunned. Brodeur did stop Whitney on a feed from Samsonov that looked labeled. With about 1:25 left in the game, Tim Gleason made a diving play to Joni Pitkanen who then fed a wide open Jussi Jokinen who beat Brodeur to tie the game at 3 with 1:20 left. Then Gleason assisted along with Chad Larose on Eric Staals shot just over Brodeurs right pad with 32 seconds left. It was the first time in NHL history a goal was scored so late in a game 7 in the 3rd period.
This game kind of summed up the Canes season. They were basically on their deathbed in 11th place in the East in mid February. Then all of a sudden they woke up and won 11 straight home games and when on a stretch of 13-2-2 I believe. Cam Ward rediscovered his Conn Smythe form of 2006 and Eric Staal seemed to get recharged once the Canes acquired his old linemate and friend Erik Cole. Chad Larose and Jussi Jokinen both had excellent series quietly along with Tim Gleason. I think that going forward this experienced Canes team will have a chance to beat anyone in the NHL. Yes Boston was great this season, but in hockey momentum can help and also a hot goalie. This Canes vs Devils series was one of the best that I have ever seen. Two evenly matched teams that fought to the final 30 seconds of Game 7 to determine a winner. Also this was for the most part a very clean series and I respect the Devils Immensely for that. They showed class throughout. Now on to the next series vs a great Boston team. For one night anyways for me. I found this game as an awesome escape from reality. Isn't this why we watch sports anyways. To be entertained and me along with lots of Hurricane fans throughout this country, we were entertained to the fullest.
