Hurricanes' Ward reflects on winning Conn Smythe, Stanley Cup during rookie season
Cam Ward is not an old man by any standard, but the Carolina Hurricanes goaltender certainly sounded like it when he reminisced about winning the Stanley Cup in 2006.
The 31-year-old Ward was asked about his feelings as the team honors its 10-year anniversary of winning the title ahead of Friday's game against the Metropolitan Division-rival Pittsburgh Penguins.
"I would appreciate it a lot more now that I'm in my older years and been in the league a lot longer - and I hope to get that opportunity again."
The then-22-year-old Ward, who was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, stepped in for Martin Gerber and helped the Hurricanes overcome a 2-0 series deficit and upend the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs. Carolina quickly brushed aside the New Jersey Devils and bested the Buffalo Sabres before ousting the Edmonton Oilers in seven games in the Stanley Cup final.
"It's about making the save at the right time ... and he did."
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) February 12, 2016
See the full #CanesCup moment this Saturday night!https://t.co/astbwUoaE7
Ward (15-11-6, 2.38 goals-against average) has been playing well enough this season to keep Carolina (24-21-9) in the conversation for a postseason berth, as the veteran has posted a 6-2-3 mark in his last 11 decisions.
Wardo watches a puck go wide during #Canes practice. pic.twitter.com/CWwqhp6YyJ
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) February 11, 2016
Two of those victories have come at the expense of Pittsburgh. Ward improved to 16-7-3 in his career versus the club after he turned aside 37 shots in Carolina's 2-1 win on Dec. 19 and made 23 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory on Jan. 12.
The Hurricanes are 3-1-1 in their last five and reside four points behind the Penguins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
