Carolina Hurricanes: Top 10 Games in Franchise History

Apr 6, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing

(36) scores a goal past Colorado Avalanche goalie

(1) to win the game during the shoot out period at Pepsi Center. The Penguins won 3-2 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

#9. 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals – Game 4

The Carolina Hurricanes made the playoffs in 2009 for the first time since the magical 2006 Stanley Cup run.

Things weren’t easy for the Canes in round one as they, again, went up against the New Jersey Devils, a team anchored by Martin Brodeur in net.

Game 4 was big for the Hurricanes. They trailed the Devils 2-1, and a loss would put them in a potentially unsurmountable hole. This game had the playoff atmosphere that you’d expect from a rowdy RBC Center on an April night.

Thanks to goals from Eric Staal, Ryan Bayda and Chad LaRose, the Hurricanes entered the 3rd period with a 3-1 lead, well on their way to a series-tying win. Or so they thought.

New Jersey came out flying in the 3rd period, scoring 2 consecutive goals in the opening 9 minutes of the period. Brendan Shanahan and David Clarkson both found the back of the Canes net early on the period. All of a sudden, the pressure was all on Carolina.

As time continued to wear on, both Ward and Brodeur made big saves to keep their team in it. Then, in the dying seconds of the 3rd period, a controversial goal ended things.

With under 1 second to go in regulation, defenseman Dennis Seidenberg ripped a slap shot on goal from the right point, and Jussi Jokinen delivered his first of many heroics in the 2009 playoff run. He deflected the puck past Marty at the top of the crease, and after a short review, it became evident that the puck just barely beat the horn, providing one of the most exhilarating endings in the team’s history and tying the series at 2 games apiece.

The puck crossed the goal line with two tenths of a second to go, and an incensed Martin Brodeur showed his displeasure, thinking that Jokinen should’ve been whistled for goalie interference. But after yelling and flinging his stick at the boards, nothing changed. The Carolina Hurricanes were the winners of game 4, and it kept them in the series.

A historic call from Canes play-by-play man John Forslund made the game even more memorable. It was, indeed, a “Miracle Finnish” for the Hurricanes and Finland native Jussi Jokinen.

Next: Eastern Conference Semifinals - Game 4