New York. Paul Stastny shot the Carolina Hurricanes to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a sudden death shot from absolutely any angle last night.
Then he thanked his old colleague Alex Steen.
– I’ve seen him do that many times, he says after the 2-1 win.
The Game 6 overtime period between the Hurricanes and New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Long Island had been going on for six minutes when it happened.
Home keeper Adam Bilik hit a wrong pass to Derek Stepan right at the blue line and Stepan was able to pass the ball to Paul Stastny at the goal line in overtime. Rather than attempt a fine, or another pass, the 37-year-old veteran fired a shot from zero angle – and somehow slipped behind Ilya Sorokin.
Thus, the entire series was decided and the Hurricanes were ready for the quarterfinals.
And the hero thanks Alex Steen – his fellow Swede at St. Lewis for many years.
– It’s a type of shot that I’ve tried in training, but above all I’ve seen Alex do it a few times. He says it will be a surprise for everyone and sometimes you get lucky.
Before that, the Islanders got tired of the game and created a lot, but again they were ineffective in the finishes.
So now Matt Barzal & Co. can go on summer vacation.
– suck. It wasn’t what we expected and I think this series could have ended either way,” says quarterback Scott Mayfield.
In the next round, Carolina has to face either the New Jersey Devils or the New York Rangers.
