Hurricanes-Bruins: Scott Walker Punches Carolina's Ticket to the ECF

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The scene was set. Game Seven, Boston's TD Banknorth Garden. Two teams that have created a fine rivalry over the last six games were set to meet and decide who earns the chance to face Pittsburgh in this year's Eastern Conference Finals.

Boston had clawed their way back into the series that saw them down, 3-1, to even it up at three games each. Carolina was searching for answers on how they could not put this team away.

And if you missed Game Seven tonight, shame on you, as newly minted Bruins nemesis Scott Walker scored a goal with 1:14 left in overtime to give the Hurricanes a 3-2 victory and a spot in the Conference Finals.

The crowd was electric anticipating a full fledged comeback from their No. 1-seeded Bruins tonight. The first goal was going to be critical. an unlikely source Byron Bitz got the Bruins off and running scoring his first goal of the series less than eight minutes into the game. At that point momentum seemed to change as Carolina put on an all-out assault on the forecheck, forcing Boston's blue liners into careless mistakes.

Just under the 14-minute mark of the first period, Rod Brind'Amour woke from his six-week hibernation to score Carolina's first goal of the night and bring the game back to even.

Boston seemed to have difficulty getting defensemen off the ice tonight with the forecheck of Carolina. Extended periods of ice time were wearing physically on them. Tim Thomas again came to the rescue, making some rather timely saves to keep the game deadlocked going into the first intermission.

In the second period Boston seemed to regain a little composure that they seemed to have lost in the middle of the first period. Though still out shot Boston had a bit more control over their line changes and possessed the puck better. But less than eight minutes into the second, ex-Bruin Sergei Samsanov made his old team pay on a quick transition play which saw Joni Pitkanen put a perfect pass from the wing directly onto Samsanov's stick as he guided it past Thomas for the 2-1 lead.

The second period ended with chances at both ends. What seemd to baffle the Bruins was their inability to capitolize on power plays. By the end of the second period Boston was 0-4 with the man advantage. carolina knew they needed to play a much more disciplined third period if they were going to hold the one goal lead.

But Mr. everything for Boston Milan Lucic got on the scoreboard just over 6 minutes into the third period. Boston was given a new lease on life. Carolina looked a bit tired and had lost face off specialist Rod Brind'Amour earlier.

As Boston continued to put the pressure on Carolina could do nothing but ice the puck. Patrice Bergeron was over 90 percent in the face off circle and continued to win critical face off after critical face off for the Bruis. Cam Ward once again stood tall in net as he played a very confident, technically sound hockey game.

The game almost felt like it would not be a Game Seven without the presence of overtime. And fans were not disappointed. The game ended in regulation locked at 2-2. Overtime started and it looked like Carolina may be doomed as another face off specialist went down with an injury as Jussi Jokinen was now on the back of the bench receiving medical treatment.

Carolina hung tough, trading blow for blow with Boston. Until the most ironic twist of fate came knocking on Boston's door when Scott Walker AKA public enemy No. 1 picked up a rebound and sunk Boston's season with only 1:14 left in the first period of overtime.

Carolina now moves on the the Eastern Confrence Finals to meet Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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