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USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

LaRose and Hurricanes advance to Stanley Cup Finals

June 1, 2006 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Chad LaRose and the Carolina Hurricanes have advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in four years after topping the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals Thursday night in Raleigh, NC. They will face the Edmonton Oilers for Lord Stanley's Cup starting Monday night in Carolina.

LaRose becomes the first ever Stampede player to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Hurricanes jumped out to a 1-0 lead 12:05 in when Mike Commodore tallied his second post season goal. That lead would hold until 15:50 of the second when a slap shot from Doug Janik at the right point found its way past Carolina netminder Cam Ward to tie the game at one. The Sabres would take the lead with just four seconds remaining in the second when Jochen Hect scored on a wrap around shot that hit Ward's left pad and squeaked into the back of the net.

It appeared that the game was in Buffalo's hands as they had all the momentum heading into the final period, but that would not be the case. Just 1:34 into the third period Doug Weight jammed in a loose puck in front of the net to tie the game at two. The Hurricanes kept the pressure on and with 8:38 remaining in the game they regained the lead with a powerplay goal. Justin Williams fired a shot from the blue line that was stopped by Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, but veteranan forward Rod Brind'Amour was left untouched and pounced on the loose puck, putting it past Miller to give the Canes' a 3-2 edge. The goal was Brind'Amour's 9th of the playoffs. Williams sealed the game with an empty net goal with 42 seconds left. Fitting enough, today was the first day of Hurricane season.

The Hurricanes will hold home ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Finals, hosting Games 1, 2 and if necessary 5 and 7. The Hurricanes and Oilers did not meet during the regular season.

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