The Carolina Hurricanes returned home all fresh and ready to go, clearly intent on bringing the Stanley Cup final to a speedy conclusion.

About three hours later, the Edmonton Oilers finally arrived at their hotel, straggling off the bus in flip-flops and blue jeans with a tired, glassy look in their eyes.

A contrast in appearances that summed up the state of this series.

Carolina seems to have everything going its way. A hot goaltender. A commanding lead. A chance to hoist the cup at home if it can win Game 5 Wednesday night in front of its rabid 'Caniac fans.

The 4 1/2-hour flight from Alberta to North Carolina? Right on time, of course.

“It was kind of a long day,” said Mark Recchi, who scored the winning goal in the Hurricanes' 2-1 victory in Game 4. “But it wasn't too bad.”

For full story, please see the June 14, 2006 edition of The Union-Recorder.