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Carolina Hurricanes: Top Stanley Cup Playoff Moments

By Robert Leonard

RALEIGH, NC - JUNE 01: Rod Brind'Amour #17 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his game-winning goal in front of teammate Justin Williams #11 during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2006 NHL Playoffs on June 1, 2006 at RBC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won the game 4-2 and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - JUNE 01: Rod Brind'Amour #17 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his game-winning goal in front of teammate Justin Williams #11 during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2006 NHL Playoffs on June 1, 2006 at RBC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes won the game 4-2 and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO – JANUARY 27: Kevin Weekes #80 of the Carolina Hurricanes makes a glove save on Mikael Renberg #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs January 27, 2004 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO – JANUARY 27: Kevin Weekes #80 of the Carolina Hurricanes makes a glove save on Mikael Renberg #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs January 27, 2004 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /

The Save

This is one of those “where were you when this happened” type of moments; and any time a highlight is described so simply, you know it’s special. Simply referred to as “The Save,” Kevin Weekes, now an NHL analyst, made a game saving overtime glove save jumping across the crease on to his stomach.

Weekes was acquired to help out starting goalie Arturs Irbe at the trade deadline. Irbe and Weekes would go back and forth during this playoff run as the hotter goalie would get the start. It was game 5 against New Jersey and Weekes had gotten the call after back to back losses for Irbe.

Just a few minutes into overtime, Jamie Langenbrunner dug a puck out of the corner and found Stephane Richer wide open in the slot. Weekes made the save but gave up a juicy rebound. The puck bounced right onto the stick of John Madden.

To put in perspective how clear it was Madden had ended the game, dozens of fans in Raleigh began leaving the game assuming that it was over. But then, it happened. And thus, the save:

The late Josef Vasicek would score seven minutes later to give the Hurricanes the crucial 3-2 series lead. Weekes’ magic would not end there; he shut out those same Devils three days later as the Hurricanes moved on the second round.

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