[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 517 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 517

Commending the Carolina Hurricanes for winning the 2006 National Hockey 
                          League Stanley Cup.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 20, 2006

     Mrs. Dole (for herself and Mr. Burr) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commending the Carolina Hurricanes for winning the 2006 National Hockey 
                          League Stanley Cup.

Whereas on June 19, 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes toppled the Edmonton Oilers in 
        one of the most exciting National Hockey League (NHL) Finals in history 
        by a score of 3-1 in the seventh and final game;
Whereas this is the first Stanley Cup for the Carolina Hurricanes;
Whereas the Hurricanes are the first professional sports team in North Carolina 
        history to win a major sports championship;
Whereas the Hurricanes finished at the top of the Southeast Division of the 
        Eastern Conference during the regular season with a record of 52-22-8;
Whereas the Hurricanes rallied from a 2-game deficit, winning 4 consecutive 
        games to defeat the Montreal Canadians in the first round of the 
        playoffs;
Whereas the Hurricanes rolled over the New Jersey Devils in the second round of 
        the playoffs, winning the series in only 5 games;
Whereas the Hurricanes showed their desire to win a championship by defeating 
        the Buffalo Sabres in the seventh game of the Eastern Conference Finals 
        to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals;
Whereas in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals the Hurricanes became only the sixth 
        team in NHL Finals history to overcome a 3-goal deficit to win;
Whereas Cam Ward became the first rookie goaltender to win a Stanley Cup in 20 
        years, and with 22 saves in Game 7, was named the MVP of the playoffs, 
        becoming the fourth rookie and second-youngest player to be awarded the 
        Conn Smythe Trophy;
Whereas Hurricanes head coach Peter Laviolette won his first Stanley Cup in his 
        first full season at the helm of the team;
Whereas defensemen Aaron Ward and Frantisek Kaberle scored goals during the 
        first period in Game 7 to put the Hurricanes up 2-0;
Whereas with the team only 1 goal ahead, Justin Williams sealed the 3-1 victory 
        with an empty net goal in the final minute of the game;
Whereas a sold-out crowd of 18,978 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina 
        celebrated as the final horn sounded, announcing the Hurricanes' 
        championship;
Whereas the Hurricanes veteran captain Rod Brind'Amour, who demonstrated great 
        leadership throughout the entire season, won his first Stanley Cup and 
        was the first to accept the Cup from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman by 
        hoisting the historic trophy over his head in victory;
Whereas assistant captain Glen Wesley, who has played in more playoff games than 
        any other active NHL player, won his first Stanley Cup at age 37;
Whereas 21-year-old Eric Staal became the youngest player to lead the playoffs 
        in scoring since Gordie Howe in 1949;
Whereas hockey now joins college basketball and NASCAR as the favorite pastimes 
        of North Carolina;
Whereas each player from the Hurricanes championship team will have his name 
        forever etched on the Stanley Cup; and
Whereas North Carolina will be home to the Stanley Cup for at least the next 
        year: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) applauds the Carolina Hurricanes for winning the 2006 
        Stanley Cup;
            (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, head coach 
        Peter Laviolette, the assistant coaches, and the support staff 
        who all played critical roles in leading the Hurricanes to the 
        championship; and
            (3) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to 
        transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to Hurricanes 
        owner Peter Karmanos, Jr. and head coach Peter Laviolette for 
        appropriate display.
                                 <all>