Stanley Cup Heroes, Part 5: Avoiding a Disaster

The Carolina Hurricanes entered the 2006 playoffs as one of the favourites to win the Cup. Carolina had exceeded all expectations. They finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference and 4th in the entire NHL. It was the best team in Hurricanes history. They were expected to easily dispatch the Montreal Canadiens in round 1 and at least make it to the conference finals. This had to be the year. After the first 2 games, the Canadiens had a 2-0 series lead. The Habs won game 1 6-1 and game 2 6-5 in overtime. All of a sudden, the Hurricanes were on death row. Nobody had made a 3-0 series comeback in decades. If they lost game 3, they were surely cooked. Head coach Peter Laviolette decided to make a drastic change. Throughout the regular season, Martin Gerber had been Carolina’s starter. After giving up 6 goals in back-to-back games, Laviolette turned to their backup, a 22-year-old rookie, named Cam Ward. Carolina’s 1st round pick back in 2002, he had a grand total of 28 NHL games under his belt at this point; and those games hadn’t been good. Understandable considering he is a rookie. Now he is trusted to save a team’s season. No pressure kid. What did he do in game 3? He stopped 27 of 28 shots and helped Carolina win in overtime. With renewed confidence, the Hurricanes won 3 straight and sealed up the series in game 6. Ward allowed just 4 goals in those 3 wins. He was their guy. In round 2 they faced the Devils. Ward would go against his idol, Martin Brodeur. What did he do this time? Get a shutout in game 1. Other than a struggle-fest in game 4, Ward continued to be brilliant. Once again allowing 2 or less goals in each win. Now in the conference finals, the Hurricanes had their toughest challenge, the dynamic Buffalo Sabres. Ngl, Ward was far from flawless. He was even replaced by Gerber for games 4 and 5. Gerber faltered in game 5 and Ward was tossed back in. In games 5, 6 and 7, Ward came through again and the Hurricanes won the series in 7. Setting up a Cup Final with the Oilers. The Hurricanes won a rollercoaster game 1 5-4 and then Ward got his 2nd shutout with a 5-0 win in game 2. Ward only allowed 3 goals in the next 2 games and set up Carolina with a 3-1 lead in the series. Unfortunately, disaster nearly struck again. Edmonton won games 5 and 6, scoring 4 in each one. Who would Laviolette trust for game 7? Laviolette chose Ward. He rewarded that faith with one last brilliant performance. Besides a crazy sequence where he was nearly ran over, Ward was essentially flawless. This includes a crazy save in the final minutes of the 3rd where he prevented Pisani from potting home a rebound (see photo). He only allowed 1 goal and the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. For his efforts, Cam Ward was rewarded the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP. He is just 1 of 14 goalie to win the award. He is just 1 of 2 to do it in their rookie season. The other is Patrick Roy. Cam Ward’s career lasted 14 years. He retired as Carolina’s all-time leader in games played, wins, and shutouts. His jersey number has not been retired, but he is a member of the Hurricanes’ Hall of Fame. He will forever be their first Stanley Cup Hero. PS: Cam Ward is very aware that there is a currently an NFL player who also played for a team called the Hurricanes named Cam Ward. The NHL’s Ward poked fun at the coincidence on draft night with an Instagram reel.