Archives for May 29, 2006

'And with Ward turning aside everything he faced -- he made 15 saves after replacing Gerber -- the Hurricanes continued to claw back.' … [Read more...] about Overtime win gives Carolina egde in series

'"It's a bad beard. I can't grow a good one, so I don't care," Miller says of his attempt at team bonding. "It's about being in the third round of the playoffs. It's about just having fun with it. I've learned in the last few years not to really care what people think about me."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo’s soldier

'In short, the Sabres did everything they wanted to in Game 5 on Sunday, except win.' … [Read more...] about Sabres squander shots

'An improbably stout effort by Buffalo's blueliners had gone to waste.' … [Read more...] about Sabres not easily rattled

Overtime suits Canes (Raleigh News and Observer) Captain masters moments (Raleigh News and Observer) Ward saves Canes -- again (Raleigh News and Observer) Sabres squander shots (Raleigh News and Observer) Cullen's jump bounces Sabres (Raleigh News and Observer) Turning point (Raleigh News and Observer) 'Canes' tag took hold naturally (Raleigh News and Observer) Canes … [Read more...] about Monday’s Carolina Coverage

'"It felt like one of our worst games of the series," said Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina's captain.' … [Read more...] about Stillman’s Overtime Goal Caps Carolina Comeback

'"I think that it's nothing to get discouraged about with the effort we got tonight," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "I thought for the most part we carried the play. The second half of the game we had all the chances and we could have won it several times. We didn't, and we get a tough call that leads to a crazy bounce and end up with a goal against."' … [Read more...] about Carolina 4, Buffalo 3, OT

'Numminen said that he expected to play against the Carolina Hurricanes after missing three straight contests following his injury in the series opener. He made it through a 30-minute skate Saturday before the team traveled to Raleigh, but was scratched from the game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres D Numminen out for Game 5

'The Hurricanes appeared to be in major trouble early in the second period, when defenseman Toni Lydman scored on a breakaway to give the fourth-seeded Sabres a 3-1 lead. However, Carolina coach Peter Laviolette immediately called upon Ward to replace Gerber and the move paid off brilliantly. Ward, who had started 12 straight games prior to Game Four, turned aside all 15 shots … [Read more...] about Hurricanes edge Sabres, move one win away from Cup Finals

'On the ensuing power play, Matt Cullen cranked a slap shot from the left point that deflected off a skate in front and off the boards to the left of the net. The puck then quickly caromed out to the slot to Stillman, who quickly fired the disc through the legs of Ryan Miller to give the Hurricanes the win and a three games to two series lead.' … [Read more...] about Carolina 4, Buffalo 3 (OT)

'Ruff then criticized the Hurricanes for what he said was their attempts at trying to draw penalties for most of the night. "Every time you hit them they look over their shoulder and look at the referee," Ruff complained.' … [Read more...] about In-charge Hurricanes head to Buffalo

'"I think we played a strong game and left everything on the ice, but you have to give them credit for being able to come back," said Sabres defenseman Jay McKee. "We expected this series to be hard, so now we have to go home and force a Game 7 where anything could happen."' … [Read more...] about Ward comes up big in a pinch for Carolina

'Miller is certainly capable of that. He is the only remaining goaltender in the finals, along with the Oilers' Dwayne Roloson, to play every minute in the playoffs. And before his team let him down in Game 4, Miller had just one loss with a two-goal differential.' … [Read more...] about Even more pressure on Miller

'Hey, Peter Laviolette, this Bud's for you! For the second straight game in the Eastern Conference finals, Laviolette made a goaltending switch work for his team. Now, the Hurricanes find themselves one win from a date with the Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals.' … [Read more...] about Smart Switch

'Stillman only had two goals and seven points in 21 games with the Lightning in 2004, and already has three game-winning goals - including the series clincher against Montreal - this year. On top of that, he scored the pivotal goal in Game 5 - perhaps the pivotal game in this series. He's a prime-time player for a team that is just one game away from a date with the Edmonton … [Read more...] about Goalie switches have worked