Ward wins Conn Smythe Trophy

Cam Ward was expected to watch his first post-season from the bench, but the 22-year-old rookie took advantage of his opportunity and is now a member of an exclusive club.

In leading the Carolina Hurricanes to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship over the Edmonton Oilers, Ward was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP.

While he struggled in the Hurricanes' last two losses, Ward was stellar in Game 7, becoming the first rookie goaltender to win the MVP and the Stanley Cup since Montreal's Patrick Roy in 1986.

The Sherwood Park, Alta., native took over from goaltender Martin Gerber in the second game of the first round against the Montreal Canadiens and posted an impressive 15-8 record en route to the MVP award.

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

"We got to raise the Cup because of that kid."

Ward didn't look like a rookie during the four rounds. His relaxed demeanour throughout the playoffs also gave his team the ability to attack the opposing zone without the worry of defensive breakdowns.

"He was just calm and you don't realize how much confidence that gives a team," said Brind'Amour.

Ward also tied Roy and Philadelphia's Ron Hextall's with 15 playoff wins by a rookie goalie, one more than he had in the regular season. Many of those wins came on the back of big saves that bailed his teammates out of countless troubles.

And he reserved his most important save of the season for Monday's 3-1 series-clinching win.
With the Hurricanes 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.

"People say that it's your rookie season and chances are it'll come again but you just never know," said Ward. "You can't predict the future, you just have to take advantage of the present."