"It is almost impossible now, more than two years later, to recall the sheer emotion associated with the Hurricanes' run to the Stanley Cup, how every moment seemed drenched in significance.

"... Today [Tuesday], the news of Julia Rowe's untimely passing brought it all back. The memory of Peter Laviolette sitting at the podium after the Game 7 win in the Eastern Conference finals with a bottle of wine signed by Rowe, destined for Rod Brind'Amour and designed to subtly give Buffalo coach Lindy "they had champagne on ice" Ruff his comeuppance, seems as fresh today as it did that night."

"... Whatever It Takes" may have been the "official" motto of the Hurricanes' playoff run, but Laviolette's "relentless" wristbands and the Rowe family's gift of Shafer's "Relentless" wine offered as much if not far more inspiration. The Stanley Cup was won here by grown men fighting for each other, but also for a little girl whose fight had far higher stakes."

For more Talking Points, go to Luke DeCock's blog online at blogs.newsobserver.com/talkingpoints

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