USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

LaRose and Canes' can clinch Finals berth tonight

Published on May 30, 2006 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Chad LaRose and the Carolina Hurricanes can advance to the Stanley Cup Finals with a win tonight over Buffalo in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY. The Hurricanes lead the best-of-seven series 3 games to 2.

The 'Canes took Game 5, 4-3 in overtime on Sunday in Carolina. The Sabres let a 3-1 lead slip away in the second when Carolina got goals from Mark Recchi and Rod Brind'Amour. After a scoreless third period the game headed to overtime. The Sabres started the extra session with a powerplay after Brett Hedican got flagged for hooking at 19:19 of the third. Buffalo was unable to muster anything past Hurricane netminder Cam Ward and the game remained tied. Carolina would get a powerplay of their own at 7:12 of overtime when J.P. Dumont was sent to the box for hooking.

On the powerplay, Matt Cullen fired a shot from the left wing side that appeared to hit a Sabres player in the foot and bounce off the boards behind the Buffalo net. The puck then slide onto the stick of Cory Stillman who hammered it in to send fans at the RBC Center into a frenzy.

Despite the fact that the Sabres are on the verge of elimination, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff thinks all the pressure is on the Hurricanes tonight. "Oh, you'd hate to lose Game 6 and have to play Game 7," Ruff told reporters. "You'd never want to get in that situation because in one game, anything can happen."

With a win tonight, LaRose would become the first ever Stampede alum to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Former Stampede star Thomas Vanek has not seen action in the last few games, but could return to the lineup tonight as the Sabres try to stave off elimination. Game time tonight is 6:30 PM local time and can be viewed on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) Channel 71 on Midcontinent Cable in Sioux Falls.

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United States Hockey League Stories from May 30, 2006


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