The overworked goaltender, who seemed spent in Game 1, has developed a sudden case of rejuvenation.
In fact, the condition is serious enough to have forced Game 6 Sunday against the Devils.
By making 37 saves, several on the spectacular side, Arturs Irbe carried the Hurricanes to a 3-2 victory last night at the Meadowlands. The Irbe-made victory moves the series back to Raleigh with the top-seeded Devils leading 3-2 in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
“Today I had extra jump in my legs,” said the 34-year old Irbe. “I hope no one accuses me of cheating by putting springs in my legs.”
Surely, no one thought there was much left in Irbe at all after he allowed all five goals in the Hurricanes’ 5-1 Game 1 loss. After playing a league-high 77 games this season, including a pressure-filled final month just to reach the playoffs, perhaps Irbe was over and out.
But by allowing just four goals in two straight wins, stopping 69 shots in the process, it seems that the 10-year veteran might have enough to take the Stanley Cup champions to the finish line.
“When he gets to a point when he’s like that, you don’t even get excited,” Carolina coach Paul Maurice said. “He’s been outstanding, but we need that.”
With his teammates making the most of their 14 shots, Irbe was in control, except for a first period goal by Scott Gomez, and a score by Bobby Holik with under 20 seconds to play in the game.
“They outplayed us on the shot clock, but in our effort our boys deserved to win,” said Irbe, who was tied for third in the league with 37 wins. “We think we can continue to play this way. Obviously New Jersey is going to put out their best effort on Sunday and we have to face it.”
With Irbe between the nets, he gives his club a chance to do just that.
“I have been able to make the saves to win,” Irbe said. “After getting that first win in Raleigh we realized we can make some noise.”