DETROIT, June 6 (UPI) -- The Detroit Red Wings look to even the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at one game apiece Thursday night when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the best-of-seven series.
Carolina, a heavy underdog entering the series, shocked the hockey world in Game One, beating the Presidents' Trophy winners, 3-2, in overtime.
Carolina captain Ron Francis, nicknamed "Ronnie Franchise", snuck a shot past Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek 58 seconds into the extra session to give the Hurricanes the early lead in their first-ever Stanley Cup Finals. Francis, appearing in his third Finals, scored the series clincher against Hasek in 1992 to give Pittsburgh a sweep of Chicago for its second consecutive championship. The 39-year-old, who began his career with the Hurricanes franchise in Hartford, returned to Carolina in 1998 after spending parts of eight seasons with the Penguins.
With the victory in Game One, the Hurricanes improved their postseason overtime record to 7-1, including three extra-session wins in the Eastern Conference finals against Toronto. Their lone setback came in Game Three of the conference semifinals to Montreal, 2-1. Only the 1993 Montreal Canadiens posted more overtime victories in a playoff season (10). Tuesday's triumph marked the Carolina franchise's first at Joe Louis Arena since Nov. 14, 1989, when Francis netted the game-winning goal for the Hartford Whalers. The organization had been 0-11
1 in its previous 12 contests in Detroit.
The Red Wings were given seven power-play opportunities in Game One, but only were able to cash in once and fell to 6-3 in their last nine playoff games at home.
Carolina, on the other hand, has won its last five road contests.
