Paul Newberry/AP National Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Edmonton Oilers beat three higher-seeded teams to reach the Stanley Cup finals. They weren’t going out that easy.
Fernando Pisani stunned Carolina with a short-handed goal in overtime, giving the Oilers a 4-3 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night and sending the series back to Alberta.
The Hurricanes still lead 3-2, but the Oilers have life. Game 6 is Saturday night in Edmonton.
Carolina had the upper hand when Steve Staios dragged down Mark Recchi breaking toward the Edmonton goal 3 minutes into the extra period. But Cory Stillman, a star of the playoffs, made a lazy cross-ice pass for Eric Staal as the Hurricanes set up a rush.
Pisani stole it at the blue line, broke in all alone on Cam Ward and beat the 22-year-old rookie with a high shot into the corner of the net over Ward’s glove.
The finals now move to Edmonton, where the Oilers host the ‘Canes. The sixth game in the series starts at 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, June 17.
A seventh game, if necessary, will be played Monday night back in the U.S., as Carolina would host the final game in the series, since the Hurricanes have home-ice advantage.
