Throwback: Fernando Pisani scores overtime winner in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final

After going down 2-0 in the series against the San Jose Sharks, the Oilers won the next four games to book a ticket to the Western Conference Finals, their first WCF since 1992. They won the first three games, fell in Game 4, but defeated Corey Perry and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in five. That set up a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Up 3-0 late in the second period, the Hurricanes responded with four consecutive goals, only for Hemský to tie the game up at four. As you know, Dwayne Roloson was injured late in that game, and Rod Brind’Amour scored with just 32 seconds left to take Game 1.

The Hurricanes took Game 2 in blowout fashion, defeating the Oilers 5-0. Finally, the Oilers got a win when the series shifted to Alberta, as Ryan Smyth scored a goal with just 2:15 left in the game to give the Oilers a 2-1 win. 

That was short-lived, as the Hurricanes answered back with a 2-1 win of their own in Game 4 to push the Oilers to the brink with the series returning to North Carolina.

Like the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers were in a do-or-die situation, needing to win their next three games for the Cup. Things started well for them in Game 5, as Fernando Pisani (remember the name) scored just 16 seconds into the game. Eric Staal and Ray Whitney each scored on the power play to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead, but Hemský and Michael Peca scored before the end of the first. The only other goal in regulation came midway through the second, as Staal scored his second power-play goal of the game to tie it at three.

In regulation, the Oilers had killed off three of six penalties they took, while scoring just one power-play goal in their seven opportunities. Disaster struck just three minutes into the first overtime period, as Steve Staios tripped Mark Recchi to send the Hurricanes to their seventh power play of the game. The right call, it was a pretty obvious trip.

The Oilers got an early clear on the penalty kill, and Peca forced a turnover with a good forecheck. Chris Pronger dumped the puck deep, and it looked as if the Hurricanes were going to break out four on three, but Pisani got a quick stick on a cross-ice pass to force a breakaway. Pisani went glove side, beating Cam Ward to send the series back to Edmonton for Game 6.

In Edmonton, the Oilers won 4-0, with Pisani scoring the game-winning goal early in the second period, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7 in Carolina. We all know how that went, as Aaron Ward scored just 86 seconds into the game to give the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead. František” Kaberle doubled their lead with a power-play goal early in the second. Pisani gave the Oilers hope with an early third-period goal, but the Oilers were unable to find the game-tying goal, eventually losing 3-1 as Justin Williams scored into the empty net with a minute left in the game.

Let’s hope the Oilers can get it done in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. The Stanley Cup has gone to a team south of the border for way too long.