Hockey's most revered trophy for the first time comes to North Carolina.
The ROOKIE goalie Cam Ward, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, had a brilliant showing. He is the darling of North Carolina having stopped almost everything between the Hurricanes and the Stanley Cup. The Kid's stellar performance more than helped the Hurricanes skate to glory Monday night. The 3-1 win brought home a place in hockey history and the sacred Stanley Cup.
"The kid came in when we were down and out," Brind'Amour said. "He brought us to life.
Frantisek Kaberle and Aaron Ward, put the Hurricanes ahead then Justin Williams scoring an empty-net goal plunged the Hurricanes into the annals of glory and Hockey Royalty.
Bret Hedican leaped for joy after Williams' shot went in. The crowd went into a frenzy.
The Hurricanes battered and some boasting scars from 78 seasons without winning the cup were unanimous in that all the hard work having now won the cup was worth it.
Now, they'll all get their names on it. They had waited too long to watch in defeat this time.
Weight, who didn't play because of an injured right shoulder, put on his uniform and came out to hoist the trophy. It leaned a bit toward his right side, but he didn't come close to dropping it.
Wesley, a 37-year-old defenseman said "It honestly feels like a dream to me."
An emotional Brind'Amour, the team's 35-year-old captain, "After Game 6, I knew there's no way we were letting this go. Too many guys on this team deserve it."
The Hurricanes started as the New England Whalers but headed south when their demand for a new arena were unheeded.
The Oilers with their gaze and effort upon the cup wasn't enough. They played with their hearts and have nothing to be ashamed of.
The Hurricanes are champions, deserving champions.
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