Ward named Stanley Cup MVP

ByReuters

Published 20/06/2006 at 05:26 GMT

Rookie Cam Ward, whose inspired goaltending led the Carolina Hurricanes to their first Stanley Cup, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' most valuable performer on Monday night. "It's a huge honour," he reporters after stopping 22 shots in the Hurr

ICE HOCKEY NHL 200506 playoff Carolina Hurricanes - Cam Ward New Jersey Devils Brian Gionta Bret Hedican

Image credit: From Official Website

"(But) to tell you the truth, you know it (winning the MVP award) is completely irrelevant," Ward added. "The Cup... the trophy that matters most is that Stanley Cup."

A childhood Oilers' fan, Ward took over as the goaltender for the struggling Hurricanes in the second game of the playoffs' opening series and turned around a Carolina club that trailed the Montreal Canadiens two games to none.

He won seven consecutive games against the Canadiens and New Jersey Devils to send the Hurricanes toward their second Stanley Cup final in four seasons.

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"The kid came in when we were down-and-out so to speak and just brought us to life," said Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour.

"PLAYED AWESOME"

"He just played awesome. He never looked like there was a panic situation," Brind'Amour added. "Even empty netters, he was just calm. You don't realize how much confidence that gives a team."

Carolina edged Buffalo Sabres in Game seven for the Eastern Conference title and then outlasted Edmonton for the Stanley Cup.

"It is unbelievable," Ward said. "Your childhood dream of winning the Stanley Cup has finally come true. All that work you put forth through minor league and junior (hockey), it's all paid off."

He posted a 15-8 playoffs record in becoming only the fourth rookie netminder to lead his team to the Stanley Cup. He is also the second-youngest Conn Smythe winner behind Montreal Canadiens' Patrick Roy in 1986.

Asked if he would like to have the Stanley Cup make an appearance at his July 22 wedding in his native Canada, Ward replied: "Haven't given it much thought. But (it) probably would make a nice center piece."

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