This is what playoff hockey is all about!

The fans in Raleigh were in for a treat Thursday night as the hometown underdog Hurricanes even the series at 2 games apiece.

Carolina was down 2 zip in the second, when Sturm scored with less than 6 minutes left in the period. Cheechoo then evened up the game at 2 with less than 8 minutes left in the game in the 3rd period. The teams remained in a deadlock when Max Afinogenov got called for hooking with just 32 seconds left to play - amazingly the 1st penalty for the Rangers the whole night!!! The Hurricanes capitalized on their only PP opportunity as veteran "sniper" ;) Buchberger was the recipient from a beautiful setup - Boynton spotted Leopold breaking in off the blueline to some open ice & Leopold in turn one-timed a pass to a wide open Buchberger who made no mistake & hit the wide open net as Kev Weekes looked dazed & confused...

Being outshot 30-16, Marty Biron kept the Canes in the game after trailing 2 zip & holding the Rangers to just 1 PP goal in 7 opportunities.

Tough Loss for the Rangers & a real momentum shifter for the Hurricanes. Should be a great finish to this series.



Dave "Tiger" Williams reporting from Raleigh
(unofficially cheerin' for the veteran bruiser Buchberger)