Brian Campbell

[nfreeman]

(from AP):

 

"Ruff said his remaining two veteran defensemen Brian Campbell and Toni Lydman will have to play 30 or more minutes. He also stressed that the onus will be on his forwards to carry the play in the Hurricanes' zone and that the team will need a big performance from rookie goaltender Ryan Miller.

 

Asked what he told his players, Ruff said: "You've really got a special opportunity to do something special as a team. At the end of the night, we need 20 guys to be in the hero status for us."

 

Campbell said he's ready to take on extra playing time and is used to it after playing a team playoff-high 32:45 in Game 5 and nearly 27 minutes in Game 6.

 

"It's like Jay said when Teppo went down, or maybe it was when Henrik went down, this'll make it all the more sweet," he said."

 

Campbell typifies each guy on this incredible team. A bit on the small side, pretty fast -- and tough as nails. Nobody (me included) thought he was a legit NHL defenseman, let alone a 30-minute guy in the conf. finals. He's not shrinking from the spotlight -- he's psyched for the opportunity. Whatever we need, he gives.

 

If Miller plays as well as he did on tues., we are going to win tonight.

 

Go Sabres.