Carolina Hurricanes: 2001-02 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pat Jablonski

After a solid season in 2000-01, Irbe was once again the starter for the Hurricanes. He appeared in 51 games for the Hurricanes, recording a 20-19-11 record with three shutouts, a 2.54 GAA and a 0.902% save average. Tom Barrasso was the back-up goalie until the trade deadline. Barrasso appeared in 34 games, recording a 13-12-5 record with two shutouts, a 2.61 GAA and 0.906% save average.

After Barrasso's trade, Kevin Weekes was the back-up goalie, appearing in two regular season games and recording a 2-0-0 record.

Answer: Ron Francis

After finishing second in team points the previous season, Ron Francis became the team leader in 2001-02. In the 80 games he played, he recorded 27 goals and 50 assists for a total of 77 points. Sami Kapanen was second with 69 points on the year. Jeff O'Neill came a close third, with 64 points and future captain Rod Brind'Amour was fourth with 55.

Answer: Sandis Ozolinsh and Byron Ritchie

Sandis Ozolinsh, a Latvian defenseman, played in 118 contests for the Hurricanes between 2000-2002. He recorded a total of 16 goals and 51 assists fore a grand total of 67 points. Byron Ritchie played 33 games for the Canes, between 1998-2002. In his short tenure he recorded two assists.

The acquisitions of defenseman Bret Hedican and centre Kevyn Adams proved to be the last piece of the puzzle in the Hurricanes' surprising playoffs.

Answer: False

In fact, they scored a total of 217 goals to match up with their 217 goals against. Their offense was 13th in the league, and their defense was ranked 19th.

Answer: Tommy Westlund

Arturs Irbe may be the obvious choice because goaltenders are punished less than players. Not the case this time. In 40 games, Tommy Westluund played an obedient game recording a mere 6 minutes in penalties. Arturs Irbe played in 51 games and recorded 10 penalty minutes, six minutes shy of his NHL high of 16. Playing in Austria for the 2005-06 season, Irbe recorded 35 penalty minutes in only 17 games. Hopefully that was an interesting fact regarding Irbe's post-NHL career. Darren Langdon was not the least penalized in 2001-02, but in fact, the most penalized player on the team.

In 58 games, Langdon recorded 106 minutes in penalties. Bates Battaglia played in all 82 of Carolina's games and recorded 18 penalty minutes, making him one of the most obedient players in the entire NHL.

Answer: New Jersey Devils

With the third seed in the playoffs, the Hurricanes were placed against playoff rival, New Jersey. As you may remember, the Hurricanes were defeated in six games back in the 2000-01 season. In the 2001-02 season, they would not be stopped. The Hurricanes defeated the Devils in an epic six game series. Irbe alternated starts with Kevin Weekes in the first round. Game one was a 2-1 victory for Irbe, game two was a 2-1 OT victory for Irbe, game three was a 4-0 loss, game four was a 3-1 defeat, game five was a 3-2 OT victory for Weekes, and game six was a series clinching 1-0 victory for Weekes.

Answer: Montreal Canadiens

Like the series against New Jersey, Carolina defeated the Montreal Canadiens in six games. Kevin Weekes started the series, recording a 2-0 victory against the Canadiens. After being defeated 4-1 in game two, 2-1 in game three, and being pulled in game four, Irbe became the undisputed starter of the playoffs.

In game four, Carolina overcame a 3-0 deficit in a single period and won the game 4-3 in overtime. Game five was all Carolina, ending in a 5-1 victory. Game six was just a thrashing, ending in a brutal series clinching 8-2 victory against the stunned Canadiens.

Answer: Toronto Maple Leafs

Like the previous two series', the Hurricanes defeated the Leafs in six games. The Toronto series was the first solo series victory for Irbe, that year. He never needed Kevin Weekes to take over for him. Game one was a 2-1 defeat, games two and three ended in dual 2-1 OT victories. Game four ended in a 3-0 shutout for Irbe, his first in 38 playoff appearances. Game five ended in a 1-0 loss, and game six resulted in a familiar 2-1 OT victory.

Answer: Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings were the clear-cut favorites to win the Cup, but Carolina had the tendency to surprise nay-sayers. Detroit finished the regular season with a league-leading 116 points, while Carolina had only 91 points. Despite the series' short length, it was an epic battle that would be remembered for the ages.

Answer: No

When Carolina faced the Red Wings, it was Carolina that got the first blood. In game one, Irbe and the Hurricanes defeated the Red Wings in a stunning 3-2 overtime victory. Game two ended in a 3-1 defeat, and game three ended in a heartbreaking 3-2 third overtime loss. Game four ended in a 3-0 defeat, and game five resulted in the Red Wings clinching the Stanley Cup.

They defeated the Hurricanes 3-1, effectively ending their season, and essentially marring Irbe's future with the Hurricanes. Irbe finished the playoffs with a 10-8 record with a tremendous 1.67 GAA and an amazing 0.938% save average. Ron Francis was awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for best sportsmanship and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership.