The Top-5 Most Memorable Goals in Carolina Hurricanes History

5. Eric Staal (Game 7, Round 1 of the 2009 Playoffs vs NJD)

I’m not even going to start things off slow – I’m just gonna jump right into a potentially controversial pick for #5 on the list – which was Eric Staal’s series-clinching goal in New Jersey on April 28th of 2009.

How could a series-clinching goal in the last minute of a game making a top-5 list be controversial you ask? Because, I chose this goal to make the list ahead of Jussi Jokinen’s game 4 winning-goal with just 0.2 seconds left in the game. The Jokinen goal probably saved the series for Carolina, as a loss would’ve had them down 3 games to 1. But Staal’s magical goal won the series. Let’s re-live the moment quickly.

The Hurricanes season looked at its ends, down 3-2 on the road in New Jersey in the last 90 seconds of Game 7. Jussi Jokinen, once again, decided to save the Canes’ playoff lives by equalising the game with just 1:21 remaining. The Canes were visibly ecstatic that they gave themselves a chance to force OT – until the unthinkable happened.

After an icing with 44 seconds to go, the Devils harmlessly cleared the puck out into neutral ice. But the Hurricanes were quick to pounce on the transition, and Eric Staal found himself with some space along the wing. He cold-bloodedly rifled a sweet wrist shot past Brodeur, absolutely stunning the Devils home crowd by giving Carolina a 4-3 lead with just 31 seconds remaining.

The Hurricanes had not made the playoffs since their 2006 Cup win, and had not held a series-lead up to that point in the round against New Jersey. All-in-all, an absolutely remarkable goal in the clutchest of moments, and one that will be remembered in the minds of Hurricanes fans forever.

Eerily, Jordan Staal scored a strangely similar goal to Eric’s in Game 7 of the series vs the Washington Capitals last April, which you can watch here.

As for the original Staal game 7 goal, you can watch that clip below, which also features Jokinen’s tying goal and sets up the mood. Goosebumps warning.

4. Scott Walker’s OT goal (Game 7 of the 2009 Conference Semi-Final vs Boston)

Scotty Walker scored a single playoff goal in his NHL career. Just one. But boy, did he make it count.

A goal forever etched in Carolina Hurricanes history, Walker’s stunning overtime goal in Game 7 of the 2009  East Semi-Final against Boston remains one of the most memorable goals in the history of the team. The lead-up to the goal is what makes it even more sensational.

In case you’ve forgotten, or weren’t a die-hard Canes fan (or even a fan at all) in 2009, let me recap what happened. With Carolina up 3-1 in the series after 4 games, they played very lousy in Game 5, losing the game 4-0 to keep the series alive for Boston. However, in that game, Scott Walker became public enemy #1 for Bruins fans.

With less than 3 minutes left in the game, Canes forward Matt Cullen got into a bit of a scrum with ex-Cane Aaron Ward in front of the Boston net. Walker came to Cullen’s defense, and actually sucker-punched Ward. Walker was ejected from the game, but inexplicably, not suspended for his actions. After Carolina lost Game 6 on home ice, they went back to Boston for Game 7.

After an extremely hard-fought 60 minutes, the Bruins and Hurricanes were deadlocked. A Milan Lucic goal in the 3rd period evened the score at 2, and thus the game headed to overtime. That’s when the villainous Walker became the hero.

With barely over a minute remaining in the first OT period, Ray Whitney fired a puck in on Tim Thomas from far off along the boards. Walker won the race to the net, and slid the puck past Thomas to seal the Hurricanes spot in the Eastern Conference Finals, and putting a dagger into the hate-filled 17,565 Bruins fans at TD Garden that night.

Unfortunately the Hurricanes’ marvelous run ended swiftly in the ECF against Pittsburgh, but Walker’s goal will always remain a classic. The villain-to-hero status just make it all that much better, and when you add John Forslund’s chilling call to the mix, it’s undisputedly one of the all-time great goals in Hurricanes history.

3. Ron Francis OT Goal (Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final vs Detroit)

For whatever reason, this goal seems to be overlooked by Hurricanes faithful. Maybe because the goal took place over 17 years ago – in game 1 of the 2002 Stanley Cup Final.

What makes the goal memorably huge was its improbability. The series marked the Hurricanes first trip to the Stanley Cup Final – and actually marked the franchises’ first trip as whole, as the Hartford Whalers only won a single playoff series in their existence.

The Hurricanes had already shocked the world by making the Cup Finals. The regular season point differential between Carolina (91) and Detroit (116) was the largest since 1994. The Hurricanes were colossal underdogs, and nobody gave them any chance at winning the series. The Hurricanes proceeded to stun everybody – even if for just one game.

After managing to take Game 1 of the series at Joe Louis Arena, into overtime, the magical moment ensued. Just 58 seconds into the overtime, Jeff O’Neill fed the puck to Hurricanes legend Ron Francis in front of the net, who tucked the puck past Dominik Hasek, and stunned the world.

Though the Hurricanes would go on to lose 4 games straight and fall to the Red Wings in 5 games, the Francis goal was huge for multiple reasons. At that point, it was far and away the biggest goal in not only Hurricanes history, but Whalers history as a whole.

Personally, I was just 5 years old when the game took place, and have no memory of the goal. But just watching the highlight of it is absolutely chilling. Bob Cole had an extraordinary call on the play, and that moment will be remembered throughout history for Canes fans – even ones like myself who can’t recall the goal live.

The first moment of real success the franchise had; an absolutely unforgettable goal.

2. Brock McGinn 2OT goal (2019, Game 7 of the First Round vs Washington)

This was the goal that made the Carolina Hurricanes relevant again.

After missing out on the playoffs for 9 consecutive years, the Hurricanes finally made it back. And in the first round, they drew the defending Cup Champions, the Washington Capitals.

After looking outclassed the first 2 games and trailing 2-0 in the series, few people had any hope left for the Hurricanes. But an overwhelming atmosphere at the PNC Arena in Raleigh helped the team claw their way back into the series, and eventually forced a Game 7 in Washington.

After falling behind 3-1 in the game, and looking like their unlikely run was coming to a halt, the Hurricanes persevered and tied the game at 3, and forced overtime. They controlled large portions of the 2 OT periods, and the game just had that feel that they wouldn’t be able to score and would undeserving lose. Until McGinn happened.

Mr. Game 7 Justin Williams lived up to the hefty name, and centered a puck that Brock McGinn tapped in to etch his name in the Hurricanes history books. Their first playoff series win in 10 years – in double overtime of Game 7 in the defending Champs’ home building.

If you’re a Canes fan and did wake up all you’re neighbours with your cheers, you did it wrong my friends. The NBC broadcast even couldn’t believe it; they went dead silent on-air for over 30 seconds, while the Hurricanes celebrated in an also dead-silent Caps arena.

An absolute stunner, and one of the biggest goals in the history of Hurricanes hockey.

1. Justin Williams Cup Sealing Goal (2006 Stanley Cup Final, Game 7 vs Edmonton)

For obvious reasons, Justin Williams’ goal to seal the Game 7 victory and deliver the Hurricanes their first (and only) Stanley Cup remains the most memorable goal in Hurricanes history.

In front of their own fans at what was then known as the RBC Center, with just 1:02 left in Game 7 of the Cup Final, a Williams empty net goal was the dagger to claim the 3-1 victory.

The sheer emotion of the goal was breathtaking. Eric Staal was wildly celebrating as soon as he passed the puck forward to Williams, who was in alone behind the defense and made no mistake hitting the open goal.

The Hurricanes team, fans, and the Doc Emrick broadcast crew went ballistic, and to this day that moment was a high that the Hurricanes have yet to repeat. We hope day they will, but regardless, it’s a moment that can never be taken away from the team or from the fans.

And how fitting for the goal to be scored by Justin Williams, who, 13 years later, led the Hurricanes on another improbable run to the East Final after sitting dead last in the Metro division at New Years 2019, and fingers crossed he may come back for retribution this year!

Regardless of the outcome, Williams’ Game 7 goal is forever the pinnacle moment of Carolina Hurricanes hockey, and will never ever be forgotten amongst the fans of the team, and hockey fans in general.

Recap

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Obviously, every fan you ask may have a different top-5 list than myself, which (believe it or not) is completely normal for a team that’s been around for over 20 years.

Whether you agree with this list or have some changes you would make, I’d love to hear the fans’ own personal top-5 lists and opinions on social media, so feel free to discuss with me!

Alas, I hope these throwback goals have brought some joy to your day, and that you’ve enjoyed reminiscing on great times in Hurricanes history. Let’s just hope the list will continue to evolve over the years!

Question for CC readers: What’s your top-5 most memorable Hurricanes goals?