Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Justin Williams tallied a goal and two assists
to lead the Carolina Hurricanes past the Buffalo Sabres, 4-2, at RBC Arena
in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
The win propels the Hurricanes, who won the series 4-3, into the Stanley Cup
finals, where they will host the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 on Monday. The
Oilers defeated the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 4-1, to capture the Western
Conference crown.
Rod Brind'Amour netted the series-clinching goal midway through the third
period and Doug Weight notched a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes, who
advanced to their second Stanley Cup finals since relocating from Hartford.
Cam Ward made 22 saves for the Hurricanes.
Jochen Hecht tallied a goal and an assist and Ryan Miller stopped 24 shots for
Buffalo, which hasn't advanced to the Stanley Cup finals since 1999. Doug
Janik added his first career NHL goal for the Sabres.
Tied 2-2 midway through the third period, Carolina regained the lead with 8:38
remaining in regulation while on the power play after Brind'Amour one-timed a
loose puck in the slot over Miller's stick-side shoulder for a 3-2 lead.
Buffalo defenseman Brian Campbell flipped the puck over the glass for a delay-
of-game penalty to put Carolina on the man advantage.
"We just talked about playing our game," Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff said.
"It was unfortunate. They made a nice play. It was a nice pass and a good
goal. It was a tough break on the puck going over the glass. This game was
probably going to be decided by special teams and they got the job done."
The Hurricanes sealed the win with 52 seconds left in the frame after Williams
backhanded a rebound past Miller from below the left circle for a 4-2 lead.
Carolina drew first blood with 7:55 left in the first period after Mike
Commodore's shot from the right point deflected off of Buffalo forward Taylor
Pyatt, then off of Buffalo defenseman Adam Mair's skate and over Miller's
glove for a 1-0 lead.
Buffalo tied the game with 4:10 left in the in the second period after
Janik scored his first NHL goal. Off the face off, Janik's slap shot from the
right point got through traffic and beat Ward glove side to make it 1-1.
The Sabres took their first lead of the contest with 4.9 seconds left in the
middle frame after Hecht banked a shot off of Ward's left skate and in from
behind the net for a 2-1 advantage.
The Hurricanes netted the equalizer 1:34 into the third period when Weight
took a feed from Ray Whitney and one-timed the puck past Miller from on the
doorstep to make it 2-2.
