Carolina Hurricanes Anatomy of a Moment: Ron Francis Silences the Motor City in the Stanley Cup Final

Coming in as the underdogs against the Red Wings, the Hurricanes, led by their captain, sent a message in Game 1 that they weren't just "happy to be there."

Hurricanes v Red Wings
Hurricanes v Red Wings | Tom Pidgeon/GettyImages
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Hurricanes v Red Wings
Hurricanes v Red Wings | Tom Pidgeon/GettyImages

Making it a Game

The Hurricanes earned a 5-on-3 early in the second period to get back even. The team's top-scoring defenseman would get it past Dominik Hasek as Sean Hill labeled a one-timer over Hasek's glove. Detroit reclaimed their lead midway through the period after winning a battle in the corner and setting up Kirk Maltby for a snapshot from the right dot to make it 2-1.

Throughout the postseason, Jeff O'Neill found himself in a position to make magic happen when the Canes needed it. Against New Jersey, the team's 30-goal man scored late in regulation to force overtime in Game 5. In the Eastern Conference Finals, O'Neill scored the overtime winner in Game 3 and broke the scoreless tie in Game 6 before the Canes won the series in overtime.

O'Neill had a great chance to tie it after Detroit defender Jiri Fischer turned the puck over to him, only for Hasek to attack and make the stop. He wouldn't be denied on his second attempt in the final minute of the period. Aaron Ward hit O'Neill with a pass to get him in on a breakaway. Hasek made the initial stop, but O'Neill was there to poke home the second chance and even the score.

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