I just wanted to pass along a few images that I have from the Canes Cup clinching night at the RBC center. It all started with the Caniacs. Every seat at the RBC remained EMPTY the ENTIRE night!!! Everyone stood for 60 minutes and folks it made a difference. Cam Ward told me he took note of that throughout the game...it was something he couldn't believe. Kevyn Adams said the players started feeding off the energy when they first came out to skate.
I was ice level in the 3rd period getting ready for my post-game live shots. It was from "turn 4" (gotta get in a racin' reference) that I watched Cam Ward's amazing belly flop save with 3 minutes to go in the game. It was there that I heard Justin Williams' Cup clinching goal. It was over...dreams realized and the Cup was coming to Carolina.
As the horn sounded, players littered the air and the ice with equipment...one player's glove went over the wall...a perfect keepsake for some lucky fan. I wanted to focus on the veteran's celebration and Rod Brind'Amour was the first I found. The emotions poured out of him like water. He grabbed Bret Hedican and wouldn't let go...he next found Glen Wesley and wouldn't let go. These 3 guys have paid the price for YEARS to get to this point. Who knows if they would have had another chance? Doug Weight and Ray Whitney can also quit wondering...they too will forever be engraved in hockey history.
One quick note on Ron Francis. He has been a part of our coverage through the entire playoffs. You've read his blogs and hopefully you caught some of his insight on WRAL-TV. You never know what kind of effort you are going to get from athletes who agree to this but let me tell you this, to no surprise...Ron Francis was the ULTIMATE professional. He prepared for his TV segments like he would for a game. On days he was to be on the show, he would call one of us early in the day so we could map out what we wanted to cover. He came early and stayed late sharing some of his many hockey stories. When he left the office after his "first shift", I just looked at the guys and we all shook our heads in amazement. One of the greatest hockey players of ALL TIME was just in our office chewing the fat with us like we had known each other for years. Typical of Ron Francis...always thinking of others before himself. No wonder he's 2nd all-time to Wayne Gretzky in career assists.
It has been a memorable month, which I will never forget. Who could have imagined in 1997 when the Hartford Whalers changed their colors to red and black and their location to Raleigh, that the champions of the hockey world would reside in Raleigh. I am so proud for the area, the Canes players and the many people who are a part of the organization. STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS !!!! Keep reading it and saying it because it's been a long journey.
