Hurricanes capture 1st Stanley Cup

The Carolina Hurricanes took a page out of the Edmonton Oilers' playbook Monday night to win the first Stanley Cup in the history of the franchise.

While they were thoroughly dominated and embarrassed by the more physical Oilers Saturday night, the Hurricanes turned the tables in Game 7 to beat Edmonton 3-1 in Raleigh, N.C.

Defenceman Frantisek Kaberle scored the game-winning goal at 4:18 of the second period as the Hurricanes won the best-of-seven series 4-3.

Matt Cullen led the Hurricanes with two assists.

"This team, they don't give up," Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour told Hockey Night In Canada. "What more can you say?

"Desire. We wanted it. We had too many guys that sacrificed their whole careers and weren't going to be denied."

With the Hurricanes leading 1-0, Kaberle capitalized on the power play as Oilers defenceman Jaroslav Spacek was serving a holding penalty.

After saving the puck from crossing the blue-line, Cory Stillman fed a cross-ice pass to Kaberle, who blasted a shot that deflected off Oilers defenceman Jason Smith and past goaltender Jussi Markkanen.

Ward named MVP

Justin Williams added an empty-net goal at 18:59 of the final period to ice the game.

"I don't know what to feel, this is the best feeling I've ever had," said Carolina defenceman Glen Wesley.

Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward made 22 saves, including a key stop late in the third period and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoff MVP.

"It's just dream come true," said Ward. "The Conn Smythe, you could have given it to anyone on this team, the real important one is the Stanley Cup."

As the Hurricanes were holding on to a slim 2-1 lead, Ward robbed Oilers forward Fernando Pisani in front of the net with only 3:40 remaining.

Pisani skated to the crease and directed a shot to the net, but Ward stuck out his left pad at the last instant to preserve Carolina's precarious lead.

Ward, 22, becomes the first rookie goaltender to win the Stanley Cup since Patrick Roy accomplished the feat with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986.

"Goaltending wins you championships, there's no mistake about it," Brind'Amour said. "We had the best goalie in the playoffs."

Despite the nervous tension that a Game 7 can bring, both teams began the game skating well and thrilled the capacity Carolina crowd with continuous end-to-end action.

Hurricanes were flying

As expected, the Hurricanes came out flying, outhitting Edmonton 18-7 in the first period.

The Oilers finally got on the board at 1:03 of the third period to cut Carolina's lead to 2-1.

Ward stopped Edmonton's first two shots, but Pisani stormed in and lifted a shot over the
Hurricanes netminder. Pisani led the post-season with 14 goals.

The Hurricanes opened the scoring just 1:26 into the first period as they converted on an Edmonton turnover at centre ice.

Carolina defenceman Aaron Ward then took a pass from Mark Recchi at the blue-line and fired a low shot past Markkanen.

Markkanen, who filled in for Dwayne Roloson after he was injured in Game 2, played another solid game, making 24 saves.

Edmonton blew a goldenopportunity to get back into the game in the second period with Carolina leading 2-0.

The Oilers couldn't convert on a 5-on-3 chance as the Carolina penalty killers did a marvellous job of getting into the passing lanes.

"They bounced back after what was a sub-par game for them in Game 6," Oilers coach Craig MacTavish said. "We were a little tight early and it cost us a goal and ultimately it cost us the game."