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Carolina Hurricanes: Cam Ward’s Carolina Resume and Legacy

By Conor Power

RALEIGH, NC - JUNE 19: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes poses with the Conn Smythe trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in game seven of the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 19, 2006 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes defeated the Oilers 3-1 to win the Stanley Cup finals 4 games to 3. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - JUNE 19: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes poses with the Conn Smythe trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in game seven of the 2006 NHL Stanley Cup Finals on June 19, 2006 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes defeated the Oilers 3-1 to win the Stanley Cup finals 4 games to 3. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /
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Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

The revival of a career?

With Ward desperate to have a good regular season at the NHL level, the 2008-09 season rolled around. Carolina had not made the playoffs since their Stanley Cup Championship and it was essential they made it this year. The franchise could not afford another April with no meaningful hockey.

Ward stepped forward and put up by far the best numbers of his career. A .916 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average was not spectacular. However, it was good enough for Carolina to clinch the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference and see themselves back in the playoffs. Ward had shown some light on his potential too.

In the playoffs, Ward did not disappoint. Again the Saskatoon native would backstop the team into the Eastern Conference Finals after the Canes went to game 7 against both the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins. Cam had become the first goaltender ever to win their first 6 playoff series in a row. He had won 4 straight game 7’s too.

Putting up a .915 save percentage and a 2.67 goals-against average in the playoffs accompanied with 2 shutouts started to cement the idea that Ward was better in the postseason than in the Regular Season. When the hockey was meaningful, Ward was at his best. He could stand on his head and get you wins in games you just shouldn’t have been in.

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