Stanley Cup Finals: First Shots

Stanley Cup Finals: First Shots

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Rod Brind'Amour's success at winning face-offs attracted an accusation of cheating from Shawn Horcoff of the Oilers.

David E. Klutho/SI

Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour is playing in the Stanley Cup finals for the third time in his 17-year NHL career. He has yet to hoist the chalice.

David E. Klutho/SI

Hurricanes netminder Cam Ward stopped 25 shots in Game 2 while becoming the first rookie to record a shutout in the Cup finals since Montreal's Patrick Roy in 1986.

David E. Klutho/SI

As expected, Oilers defenseman Chris Pronger has been a punishing presence, but his team had little success keeping the puck out of their net in the first two games. Edmonton surrendered 10 goals in the two contests.

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After Edmonton's workhorse netminder Dwayne Roloson was injured in Game 1, Jussi Markkanen was thrown into the fire in Game 2. It was his first start since March, and he was burned for five goals, this one by Mark Recchi.

Lou Capozzola/SI

The Hurricanes react after Rod Brind'Amour's second-period goal cut Edmonton's lead to 3-1 and launched Carolina's comeback in Game 1.

Lou Capozzola/SI

Carolina's Mike Commodore, a local favorite for his bushy hair and bathrobe, has been a pillar of a workmanlike defensive corps that tightened up with a Game 2 shutout after allowing four goals in Game 1.

Lou Capozzola/SI

Michael Peca of the Oilers, who has been enjoying a revival of his reputation as a gritty leader, runs into Carolina's Eric Staal, whose star continues to rise.

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The Hurricanes capped their furious comeback from a three-goal hole with a celebration at the final buzzer of their 5-4 win in Game 1.

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Cam Ward is only a rookie, but he has displayed the clutch poise of a seasoned veteran throughout the playoffs and weathered withering pressure from the Oilers in the third period of Game 1.

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The finest moment thus far of Cam Ward's stellar playoff run was his game-saving, breathtaking save on Shawn Horcoff in the final moments of Game 1.

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Dwayne Roloson was a rock after arriving in Edmonton at the trade deadline in March. The Oilers reeled when the stalwart goalie was lost for the rest of the finals after suffering a torn knee ligament and hyperextended elbow in Game 1.

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Hurricanes fans at Game 1 gave lie to the accusation that Raleigh is a less-than-enthusiastic hockey town.