Mckenzie: Pisani And Torres Save Day

[Derek21]

http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/bob_mckenzie.asp

McKenzie: Pisani and Torres save the day

TSN.ca Staff

6/14/2006

Start the casting for Fernando Pisani if they ever make a movie about Edmonton's 2006 playoff run.

The Edmonton native scored the game-winning goal in overtime to stave off elimination as the Oilers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Pisani, who now has twelve goals and is tied with Rod Brind'Amour for the league lead, is playing hurt and you're never quite sure whether he's going to be on the ice or not at any given time.

But it all started in extra time with Oilers centre Michael Peca getting Edmonton's forecheck going. He did a great job getting the puck away from Eric Staal, who had a hot hand with two goals in the game.

Peca's effort got the Oilers in deep for their penalty kill, and Cory Stillman's errant pass got on Pisani's stick for the game-winner.

The goal sucked the life out of the building not just because there was a Stanley Cup for the Hurricanes to win, but because they had the man-advantage after scoring three power play goals earlier in the game.

Another big factor in Game 5 was Oilers forward Raffi Torres. We all remember his momentum-shifting hit on Milan Michalek in Game 3 of the second round against the San Jose Sharks. And Torres was doing it again on Wednesday - he sent Aaron Ward to the dressing room early in the first period with a great hit along the boards.

In the third period, he was at it again as part of a sandwich job on Hurricanes centre Doug Weight.

Now Ward has been great on the blueline for the Hurricanes with great defensive work and shot-blocking abilities. But he took a lot of pain from that hit by Torres and a big story between now and Saturday will be whether or not he can play.

The same applies to Weight, who also had to leave the game and never took another shift. When you leave the ice holding up your shoulder the way he did - it does not look good. I'm no doctor, but it could be a separation.

If Weight is lost for Game 6 - and perhaps Game 7 - the Hurricanes lose an all-too important centre. Josef Vasicek played very well in Weight's absence and will likely dress in Edmonton, but he will have to step his game up if the Hurricanes are to finish this series on Saturday night.

It's injuries like these - factored in with the Oilers' victory - that can swing the momentum in a long series like this one.

For TSN.ca, I'm Bob McKenzie.