Irbe Leads Way for Carolina

The Toronto Maple Leafs had inspiration on their side. The Carolina Hurricanes had Arturs Irbe.

Irbe stopped 31 shots in a 3-0 victory by the Hurricanes on Thursday, dousing whatever emotional boost the Maple Leafs had in welcoming back Coach Pat Quinn. Quinn made a surprising return after spending the last two days in the hospital because of an irregular heartbeat.

Sami Kapanen and Ron Francis each had a goal and assist, while Jaroslav Svoboda also scored to give the Hurricanes a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

The best-of-seven series resumes at Carolina on Saturday, where the Hurricanes can clinch their first Stanley Cup finals berth.

Irbe came up with his best performance of the postseason, recording his first career playoff shutout.

“I think the reason [we won] is sitting next to me,” said Hurricane captain Ron Francis, seated next to Irbe. “We didn’t play enough to win that game. Archie stole it for us.”

Added Hurricane Coach Paul Maurice: “Everybody in our organization has a piece in the winning, and Archie had a great big fat piece of that one tonight.”

In the first period, the Maple Leafs outshot the Hurricanes, 9-1, but Irbe was on form, even stopping Alexander Mogilny’s backhander from in close.

Irbe got help from defenseman Bret Hedican six minutes into the second period. Irbe got part of Mogilny’s shot, allowing the rebound to dribble into the crease, which Hedican swept away.

Irbe saved his best for last, recording two huge stops four minutes into the third period with Carolina clinging to a 1-0 lead.

Irbe got his right pad out to stop Tomas Kaberle’s point shot, which was deflected in front.

He then dived to his right to stop Jonas Hoglund’s attempt at the rebound.

“As the game went on, I got a couple of lucky saves,” Irbe said modestly. “As it goes longer, the better you feel. And in the end, it was fun.”

It was no fun for the Maple Leafs, who lost their third straight game despite having the familiar Quinn to direct them.

Quinn was released from the hospital two hours before game time and headed straight for the arena.

Quinn received a standing ovation before the game, and showed he hadn’t lost his edge.

He was spotted chewing out Toronto center Alyn McCauley on the bench at the end of the first period.

But the Maple Leafs failed to respond.

“We really wanted to win this game for him,” team captain Mats Sundin said. “We had the right focus, and I thought we had the work ethic. We just couldn’t finish it off.”