“ Amazing ”: The most over-used word in the English language today has been used to describe cheese sandwiches, mediocre music, and mundane software. However those in attendance for the Carolina Hurricane’s game-winning goal with just 0.2 seconds remaining last night saw something “ amazing ” in its truest sense. With the win the Carolina Hurricanes removed the twisting knife and knotted the series at two games a piece. Game 5 is tomorrow night in New Jersey, and it will be interesting to see how the teams respond to such an emotional, series turning game.

The Canes dominated the game for two periods and led 3-0 before a very late, second period New Jersey goal. The crowd was so comfortable with the game that it wasn’t even loud late in the second period and people like Lulu.com’s Bob Young (dressed in bright yellow for a Hurricanes game) exited the building during the second intermission. What these false fans missed was the newest entry to the RBC Center’s Top 20 historic moments (who could have believed 10 years ago that Opening Night of Raleigh’s first large, air-conditioned venue would be eclipsed by at least 20 greater moments in just 10 years?).

The Canes were listless in the Third and by 11:14 remaining in regulation, the Cane’s giant lead and momentum had completely evaporated. In the waning minutes it became all but clear that this baby, just like Game 2 and Game 3, was headed into overtime. Could the team and the fans stomach a Devils win that would all but end the series?

Not to worry. As Joni Pitkanen casually skated the puck along the blue line with seconds remaining, NJD goalie Martin Brodeur extended well out of the crease and got bumped by a crossing Jussi Jokinen. Just then, the puck found Dennis Seidenberg’s stick and shot like a laser, glancing off of Jokinen’s stick into the goal. The crowd went wild as the play was reviewed. However, when the referee confirmed the goal and the Canes’ win, the crowd exploded with a deafening roar so loud that not even the booming RBC Center horn could be heard. That’s loud, and that, my friends, was amazing .

Thanks so much to ESPN who did not include this as one of their Plays of the Day. The Sports Leader is apparently still staging their infantile temper tantrum.

NOTE: I forgot to add this to the story. After the game John Forslund was on 99.9FM discussing the night and told an interesting story. He was talking to (NJ players) Jay Pandolfo and (I believe) Brian Gionta after practice on Monday and the players went out of their way to tell Forslund how impressed they are with the Hurricanes fans. They said that in New Jersey the fans only applaud goals, hits, and fights. Not only do the fans here applaud those basics, but they also applaud zone clearing plays, great saves, and even great passes. He said they went on to say how impressed they are of the fans’ knowledge of the game, not just in the context of being a basketball area, but in the context of the entire NHL.