2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 4: vs. Detroit Lions
In the second quarter, Lions QB Jon Kitna and WR Mike Furrey hooked up with each other on two touchdown passes (a 1-yarder and a 10-yarder), but the Rams retook the lead with Wilkins completing a 46-yard field goal. In the third quarter, St. Louis gained even more points, as Bulger connected with WR Torry Holt on a 16-yard TD strike. Detroit got a 20-yard field goal from Hanson and RB Kevin Jones ran 35 yards for a touchdown, but the Rams had their RB, Steven Jackson, get a 1-yard TD run to add to their lead. In the fourth quarter, Jones ran for a 7-yard TD strike. The Rams closed out the game with a win, as Wilkins completed a 47-yard field goal and Bulger completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. With the win, the Rams improved to 3–1.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
First-year coaches Scott Linehan and Mike McCarthy faced off against each other in Lambeau Field on October 8, 2006.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
On the Packers’ first possession of the game, Vernand Morency fumbled the ball and it was recovered by rookie Victor Adeyanju. This gave the Rams the ball at the Packers' 37. Six plays later, Marc Bulger passed the ball to Torry Holt for a 6-yard touchdown pass. Jeff Wilkins hit the extra point giving the Rams the lead with 9:49 left in the first quarter. The Packers answered with a 15-play 80-yard touchdown drive that ended in a Noah Herron 1-yard touchdown run. Dave Rayner made the extra point tying the game at seven.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
One the first possession of the second quarter, Dave Rayner connected on a 27-yard field goal, giving the Packers a 10–7 lead with 13:12 left in the quarter. Marc Bulger completed a 3-yard pass to Kevin Curtis for a touchdown with 3:33 left in the quarter. Jeff Wilkins made the extra point giving the Rams a 14–10 lead. The Packers connected on a 32-yard field goal with 0:03 left in the quarter cutting the lead down to one.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
The only points in the third quarter were on a 31-yard field goal by Wilkins, increasing the Rams lead to 17–13.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
Jeff Wilkins made two more field goals in the fourth quarter, one with 14:57 remaining in the quarter and another with 9:27 remaining, which gave the Rams a 23–13 lead. Brett Favre completed a 46-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings with 6:42 left in the game. The extra point was good. The Packers attempted a late comeback, but Favre fumbled the ball on the Rams' 13-yard line. It was recovered by Jerametrius Butler. The Rams took a knee ending the game with the Rams winning, 23–20, and improving to 4–1.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
Steven Jackson ended the game with 98 yards on the ground on 23 carries. Bulger completed 18 passes on 28 attempts for 220 yards and two touchdowns.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 6: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Hoping to keep their three-game winning streak going, the Rams returned home for an NFC West fight with the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams struck first, as QB Marc Bulger completed a 9-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt. Yet, the Seahawks responded with QB Matt Hasselbeck completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Deion Branch. In the second quarter, St. Louis began pulling away, as RB Steven Jackson ran 2 yards for a touchdown and the duo of Bulger and Holt hooked up again with a 10-yard TD pass.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 6: vs. Seattle Seahawks
In the third quarter, the Seahawks started to creep back as Hasselbeck completed a 42-yard TD pass to WR Darrell Jackson. In the fourth quarter, Seattle managed to take the lead with kicker Josh Brown nailing a 49-yard field goal, Hasselbeck throwing a 19-yard TD pass to Branch, and Brown kicking another 49-yard field goal. The Rams responded with Bulger and Holt completing a 67-yard TD pass. The Seahawks won as Brown kicked a 54-yard field goal as time ran out, giving Seattle a three-game winning streak against St. Louis. This game was marred by controversy as the 10-second run-off rule did not apply on the last play of the game, giving Josh Brown the chance to win the game. With the loss, the Rams headed into their bye week 4–2.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 8: at San Diego Chargers
Coming off of their bye week, the Rams flew to Qualcomm Stadium for their Week 8 match-up with the San Diego Chargers. From the get-go, St. Louis trailed as RB LaDainian Tomlinson got a 2-yard TD run and a 38-yard TD run in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Rams started to retaliate as RB Steven Jackson got a 3-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the third quarter, things started to get ugly for St. Louis as Chargers free safety Marlon McCree returned a fumble 79 yards for a touchdown.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 8: at San Diego Chargers
The Rams responded with kicker Jeff Wilkins nailing a 34-yard field goal, yet Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding made a 31-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, it was back and forth with touchdowns. San Diego RB Michael Turner got a 14-yard TD run, while Rams QB Marc Bulger completed a 7-yard TD pass to WR Shaun McDonald. Afterwards, Chargers QB Philip Rivers completed a 25-yard TD pass to Tomlinson, while Bulger completed a 6-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Curtis. However, San Diego got the win, as St. Louis fell to 4–3.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 9: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Hoping to rebound from the road loss to the Chargers, the Rams went home for Week 9, as they fought the Kansas City Chiefs in a “Show Me State Showdown”. The Chiefs struck first as RB Larry Johnson got a 1-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, things got worse for the Rams as QB Damon Huard completed a 3-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez, while kicker Lawrence Tynes nailed a 42-yard field goal.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 9: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
St. Louis got on the board with RB Steven Jackson getting a 2-yard TD run, yet Huard and Gonzalez hooked up with each other again on a 25-yard TD strike. Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins made a 41-yard field goal to end the half. In the third quarter, QB Marc Bulger completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Curtis for the only score of the period, yet the only score of the fourth quarter came from Huard completing an 11-yard TD pass to TE Kris Wilson. With the loss, the Rams fell to 4–4.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 10: at Seattle Seahawks
Trying to end their three-game skid, the Rams flew to Qwest Field for an NFC West rematch with the Seattle Seahawks. In the first quarter, the Rams struck first with rookie DE Victor Adeyanju returning a fumble 89 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, the Seahawks responded with QB Seneca Wallace completing a 3-yard TD pass to WR Darrell Jackson. Then, St. Louis had kicker Jeff Wilkins nail a 40-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Seattle took the lead with Wallace completing a 15-yard TD pass to TE Jerramy Stevens. The Rams responded with Wilkins's 42-yard field goal.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 10: at Seattle Seahawks
In the third quarter, Wilkins gave St. Louis a 35-yard field goal for the only score of the period and the lead. In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks responded with WR Nate Burleson returning a punt 90 yards for a touchdown. The Rams retook the lead with RB Steven Jackson’s 14-yard TD run, yet it was followed up with a failed two-point conversion. However, just like earlier in the year, Seahawks kicker Josh Brown came out with the win, as he kicked a 38-yard field goal. With the loss, the Rams fell to 4–5.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 11: at Carolina Panthers
Trying to end a four-game skid, the Rams flew to Bank of America Stadium for a Week 11 fight with the Carolina Panthers. After a scoreless first quarter, the Panthers took control for the rest of the game. In the second quarter, Carolina kicker John Kasay made a 40-yard field goal, while QB Jake Delhomme completed a 62-yard TD pass to WR Steve Smith. In the third quarter, Kasay improved the Panthers’ lead with a 34-yard field goal for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, Carolina wrapped up the game with DE Mike Rucker sacking QB Marc Bulger in the Rams end zone for a safety. With St. Louis’ fifth-straight loss, the Rams fell to 4–6.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 12: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Trying to end a five-game skid, the Rams went home for an NFC West rematch with their historic rival, the San Francisco 49ers. After a scoreless first quarter, the Rams drew first blood in the second quarter with kicker Jeff Wilkins' 24-yard field goal and RB Steven Jackson’s 36-yard TD run. he 49ers responded with RB Frank Gore's 12-yard TD run, yet St. Louis got Wilkins to kick a 51-yard field goal as time ran out on the half.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 12: vs. San Francisco 49ers
In the third quarter, the 49ers took the lead with QB Alex Smith completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE Eric Johnson for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the 49ers increased its lead with kicker Joe Nedney nailing a 24-yard field goal. The Rams got the win with QB Marc Bulger completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Curtis. Not only did St. Louis improve its record to 5–6, but they also snapped a five-game losing streak.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Coming off their victory over the 49ers, the Rams stayed at home for an NFC West rematch with the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, the Rams trailed early as Cardinals RB Marcel Shipp got a 1-yard TD run. St. Louis responded with kicker Jeff Wilkins. In the second quarter, the Rams continued to struggle as QB Matt Leinart completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald, while kicker Neil Rackers nailed a 23-yard field goal.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals
In the third quarter, St. Louis tried to retaliate with QB Marc Bulger completing a 15-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt, yet the Cards responded with Shipp's 6-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Rams had Wilkins kick a 37-yard field goal. However, the Big Red pulled away with Shipp's 9-yard TD run and Rackers' 20-yard TD run. Even though St. Louis made another TD, with Bulger completing a 1-yard pass to WR Isaac Bruce, Arizona held on to win. With the loss, the Rams fell to 5–7.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears
Coming off their loss to the Cardinals, the Rams stayed at home for a Monday Night fight with the current NFC North champion Chicago Bears. After a scoreless first quarter, the Rams struck first with QB Marc Bulger completing a 1-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt, yet the PAT attempt had a botched snap, making it no good. However, immediately following St. Louis's first score, the Bears took the lead with DB Devin Hester returning a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears
Fortunately, the Rams responded with RB Steven Jackson's 2-yard TD run, yet Chicago responded with QB Rex Grossman's 34-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian. St. Louis tried to get a 48-yard field goal in before halftime, yet it just went wide right. In the third quarter, the Rams' recent struggles continued with RB Thomas Jones's 30-yard TD run, while Grossman completed a 14-yard TD pass to WR Muhsin Muhammad. In the fourth quarter, the Bears dominance continued with RB Adrian Peterson's 1-yard TD run.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears
St. Louis tried to come back with Bulger completing a 6-yard TD pass to Holt, yet Hester immediately followed that up with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, which gave him the single-season record for the most returns for a touchdown with six. The only thing remaining within St. Louis was Jackson's 2-yard TD run. With their second-straight loss, the Rams fell to 5–8.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 15: at Oakland Raiders
The Rams flew to McAfee Coliseum to take on the Oakland Raiders, who, just like the Rams, used to play in the city of Los Angeles.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 15: at Oakland Raiders
After a scoreless first quarter, St. Louis struck first in the second quarter with kicker Jeff Wilkins nailing a 24-yard and a 34-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Rams increased their lead with RB Steven Jackson's 4-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, St. Louis wrapped up the win with Jackson's 19-yard TD run. With the win, the Rams improved their record to 6–8. It was the first Rams shutout win since 2003.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 16: vs. Washington Redskins
Coming off their dominating road win over the Raiders, the Rams played their last home game of the year as they took on the Washington Redskins. In the first quarter, the Redskins struck first with RB T. J. Duckett getting a 5-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, St. Louis took the lead with QB Marc Bulger completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce and a 27-yard TD pass to rookie TE Dominique Byrd.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 16: vs. Washington Redskins
However, Washington responded with RB Ladell Betts getting a 6-yard TD run and QB Jason Campbell completing a 9-yard TD pass to TE Chris Cooley. In the third quarter, the Redskins increased their lead with Betts getting a 7-yard TD run. The Rams responded with Bulger completing a 64-yard TD pass to RB Stephen Jackson and a 10-yard TD pass to RB Stephen Davis. In the fourth quarter, St. Louis took the lead with kicker Jeff Wilkins getting a 21-yard field goal, yet Washington managed to tie the game with kicker Shaun Suisham getting a 52-yard field goal. In overtime, the Rams won with Jackson getting a 21-yard TD run. With the win, St. Louis improved to 7–8.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 16: vs. Washington Redskins
However, because the New York Giants won a Week 17 match-up against the Redskins, it ended any chance for the Rams to get into the playoffs.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings
The Rams flew to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome to take on the Minnesota Vikings. In the first quarter, St. Louis got off to a fast start as free safety Ronald Bartell returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, kicker Jeff Wilkins made a 42-yard field goal. After that, the Vikings responded with QB Tarvaris Jackson getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Rams' domination began with RB Stephen Jackson getting a 4-yard TD run and a 10-yard TD pass from QB Marc Bulger.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Regular season, Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings
In the third quarter, Wilkins kicked a 53-yard field goal, while Stephen Jackson got a 3-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Stephen Jackson wrapped up the game for St. Louis with a 59-yard TD run. Afterwards, Minnesota got their remaining points with RB Chester Taylor getting a 1-yard TD run, while Tarvaris Jackson completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Travis Taylor. Afterwards, the Rams ended the game with a victory to end their season at 8–8.


2006 St. Louis Rams season, Season record
RB Steven Jackson, who was elected to his first Pro Bowl at the conclusion of the season, led the NFL in 2006 with 2,334 total yards from scrimmage. His 90 pass receptions and 806 receiving yards were also NFL records amongst all running backs that year. Jackson was named the St. Louis Rams MVP and also received one vote for NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Although the Rams did not make the playoffs in 2006, they did finish the season with an offense which produced a 4,000-yard passer in QB Marc Bulger, a 1,500-yard rusher in RB Steven Jackson, and two 1,000-yard receivers, one of only four offenses in NFL history to accomplish the feat.


2006 St. Petersburg Open
The 2006 St. Petersburg Open was a tennis tournament played on indoor hard courts. It was the 12th edition of the St. Petersburg Open, and was part of the International Series of the 2006 ATP Tour. It took place at the Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex in Saint Petersburg, Russia, from October 23 through October 29, 2006.


2006 St. Petersburg Open
The singles draw was headlined by ATP No. 6 Nikolay Davydenko, No. 8 Tommy Robredo, and No. 12 Mario Ančić.


2006 St. Petersburg Open, Finals, Doubles
Simon Aspelin /  Todd Perry defeated  Julian Knowle /  Jürgen Melzer 6–1, 7–6(7–3)


2006 St. Petersburg Open – Doubles
Simon Aspelin and Todd Perry won the title, defeating Knowle and Melzer 6–1, 7–6(7–3) in the final.


2006 St. Petersburg Open – Singles
Mario Ančić won the title, beating Johansson 7–5, 7–6(7–2) in the final.


2006 Stanford Cardinal football team
The 2006 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In head coach Walt Harris's second season at Stanford, the Cardinal won only one game, ending the season with a 1–11 record, the school's worst since a winless 1960 season. Harris was fired on December 4, 2006, two days after Stanford's regular season ended. By the end of his tenure at Stanford, Harris had surpassed Jack Curtice with the lowest winning percentage in the history of Stanford football, with a 26.1% win record.


2006 Stanford Cardinal football team
The team played their home games at the newly renovated Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California and competed in the Pacific-10 Conference.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2006 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2005–06 season, and the culmination of the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs. The first Stanley Cup Finals since 2004 after a lockout in 2004 and 2005, it was contested between the Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes and the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. It was Carolina's second appearance in the final, the other being in 2002, a loss to the Detroit Red Wings. It was Edmonton's seventh appearance in the Final and their first since their fifth Cup win in 1990.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals
It was also the first (and to date only) finals matchup between teams that entered the league in 1979. Carolina defeated Edmonton in seven games to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup and become the tenth post-1967 expansion team and third former WHA team to win the Cup. Carolina's 2006 win was also the team's second league championship (the club, then known as the New England Whalers won the WHA Championship in 1973).


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Paths to the Finals
Carolina defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4–2, in the first round of the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, the New Jersey Devils 4–1 in the second round and the Buffalo Sabres 4–3 in the Eastern Conference final.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Paths to the Finals
Edmonton defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4–2 in the first round, the San Jose Sharks 4–2  in the second round and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 4–1 in the Western Conference final. The Oilers became the first team since the NBA's 1999 New York Knicks and the first team in the history of the NHL to make it to the finals as a #8 seed.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries
This series marked the first time that two former World Hockey Association teams played against each other for the Stanley Cup since they merged with the NHL in 1979. As a result of the new scheduling formula that was implemented before the 2005–06 NHL season, the Hurricanes and the Oilers did not meet during the regular season.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries
These were also the first ever finals contested by two teams that had both missed the playoffs the previous season (skipping 2005 due to the lockout). It was also to be the first finals contested by teams that would both go on to miss the following year's playoffs. Prior to these Finals, only the 1938–39 Chicago Blackhawks had ever missed the playoffs one year, then played in the Stanley Cup final (win or lose) the following season, and then missed the playoffs again the season after that. Both the Hurricanes and Oilers have now accomplished this dubious feat.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries
Hurricanes head coach Peter Laviolette joined Ron Wilson as the only people to have head coached in an Olympics and Stanley Cup finals in the same year, having coached the American ice hockey team during the Torino Olympics. Both would coach in either one in 2010; Wilson coached the American ice hockey team to silver medal at the Vancouver Olympics, while Laviolette would coach in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Philadelphia Flyers.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game one
In game one, Carolina tied the biggest comeback in Stanley Cup finals history, overcoming a three-goal deficit to win 5–4. Edmonton scored first, 8:18 into the first period, with a goal from Fernando Pisani. In the second period, Chris Pronger scored the first penalty shot goal in finals history after defenceman Niclas Wallin illegally covered the puck inside his own goal crease, and Ethan Moreau's goal at 16:23 gave the Oilers a 3–0 lead. But at the 17:17 mark, Rod Brind'Amour scored the Hurricanes' first goal of the game.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game one
Carolina then tied the game in the third period with two scores by Ray Whitney. The Hurricanes jumped ahead 4–3 on a shorthanded breakaway goal by Justin Williams, but Edmonton's Ales Hemsky scored on a power play to tie the game with 6:29 remaining. Late in the final period, Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson suffered a series-ending knee injury in a collision and was replaced with Ty Conklin.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game one
With 32 seconds remaining in regulation, Conklin misplayed the puck behind his own net, where it deflected off Jason Smith's stick to the front of the empty net, allowing Brind'Amour to score the winning goal. Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward had to make the last of his 34 saves with 3.8 seconds remaining, robbing Shawn Horcoff for the second time in the third period with a glove save to preserve the victory.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game two
With Roloson's injury, Jussi Markkanen started for the Oilers in game two. Although Markkanen had played 37 games in the regular season, sharing the job with Ty Conklin and Mike Morrison, he and Conklin switched back and forth during the playoff as the backup (with the other sitting in the press box as a healthy scratch); he also had not played in a game since March 1, 2006. The Hurricanes shut out the Oilers, 5–0, with five different Carolina players scoring goals. It was the first time three goaltenders had been used in a Stanley Cup final since May 1970, when the St. Louis Blues employed Jacques Plante, Glenn Hall and Ernie Wakely on their way to being swept by the Boston Bruins.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game three
Markkanen once again started in net with Roloson still out. Shawn Horcoff scored just over two minutes into the first period. During the second period, a short-handed goal was waved off by the referee, because he had lost sight of the puck and had blown the whistle, despite the fact that the puck had not yet been covered. The Hurricanes responded midway through the third period with their captain, Rod Brind'Amour, taking a rebound off a blocked shot past Markkanen. However, with 2:15 left in the game, Edmonton's Ryan Smyth scored the winning goal after crashing into Ward inside the crease as they both tried to get control of a rebound off of a shot by Ales Hemsky.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game four
Edmonton got off to a good start when Sergei Samsonov opened the scoring at 8:40 of the first period. However, the lead was short-lived as Cory Stillman replied just 29 seconds later to tie the game at 1–1. Stillman also made a sound defensive play on Chris Pronger late in the second period, tipping the puck away in the Edmonton zone to the front of the net, where Eric Staal fed a pass to Mark Recchi, who scored the eventual game-winning goal with 4:08 to go in the period. Once again Edmonton's power play was ineffective, failing to capitalize on five chances, including a two-man advantage in the first period. When the game ended, the Oilers were 1-for-25 on the power play to this point in the series.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game five
Carolina had a 3–1 lead in the series and a chance to win the Stanley Cup on their home ice. However, Edmonton scored first on Fernando Pisani's redirect of a Pronger slapshot 16 seconds into the game. The Hurricanes then went ahead 2–1 on two power play goals by Eric Staal and Ray Whitney before the Oilers scored on the power play with a one-timer by Ales Hemsky to tie the game. Michael Peca then gave Edmonton a 3–2 lead with 17.4 seconds left in the first period.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game five
In the second period, Staal poked a goal between Jussi Markkanen and the post to tie the game. Early in the third period, Hurricanes centre Doug Weight got sandwiched by Chris Pronger and Raffi Torres, separating his shoulder and ending his night early. Weight would not return to play for the rest of the series, but would eventually raise the Cup. Carolina defenceman Aaron Ward also was injured in the third period, and with Carolina running out of healthy skaters, the Hurricanes were desperate to close out the game.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game five
With 7:47 remaining in the third period, Whitney missed what might have been the Hurricanes' best chance to win the series with a shot that just hit the post. The game went to overtime, where Mark Recchi drew a penalty early in the period to put the Hurricanes on the power play. Fernando Pisani picked off a cross-ice pass from Cory Stillman and streaked in short-handed to beat Cam Ward top right corner (glove side) with a left-handed shot to score the first short-handed overtime goal in finals history, giving the Oilers the upset win.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game six
Despite the emotional boost of Carolina winger Erik Cole returning to the ice for the first time since breaking his neck in March, Edmonton dominated for the entire 60 minutes, shutting-out Carolina 4–0 in front of a raucous crowd at Rexall Place, scoring three power-play goals and limiting the Hurricanes to only 16 shots on goal. Edmonton held Carolina to seven shots through 40 minutes of play. Fernando Pisani scored his post-season-high fifth game-winning goal (and 13th in total, also tops amongst scorers in the 2006 playoffs). This game also marked Jussi Markkanen's first career playoff shutout. This was the final playoff game at Rexall Place, as the Oilers did not make it into playoffs again before moving venues in 2016.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
However, the Hurricanes returned to the RBC Center to defeat the Oilers in game seven, 3–1, to win the Stanley Cup. Aaron Ward and Frantisek Kaberle gave Carolina a 2–0 lead before Fernando Pisani scored for Edmonton 1:03 into the third period to cut the lead in half.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
With just over a minute to go in regulation, the Oilers pulled the goalie in hopes of forcing overtime. A loose puck wound up on the stick of Bret Hedican, who passed to Eric Staal, who himself passed it down-ice to Justin Williams. Williams skated down the length of the ice and tapped the puck into the empty net, sealing the Stanley Cup for the Hurricanes.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
Cam Ward became the first NHL rookie goaltender to win a Stanley Cup finals series since Patrick Roy lead the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, and he was also the first rookie since the Philadelphia Flyers' Ron Hextall in 1987 to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player in the playoffs.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
Cory Stillman earned a Stanley Cup title for the second-straight season, having won in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the first player to win back-to-back titles with different teams since Claude Lemieux (1995 New Jersey Devils, 1996 Colorado Avalanche).


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
The Hurricanes' victory ended Glen Wesley's 18-year drought without winning the Cup. He had played close to 1,500 regular season and playoff games before winning the Cup, the longest such drought in the NHL. Wesley was the last player remaining from the franchise's days as the Hartford Whalers. Other notable veterans to win their first Cup were Rod Brind'Amour, Doug Weight, Ray Whitney and Bret Hedican. Hedican was on the losing end of another final decided in a game seven, in 1994, while with the Vancouver Canucks. Mark Recchi won the second Cup of his career, having won it 15 years prior as a member of the 1991 Pittsburgh Penguins. He would later retire a Stanley Cup winner with the 2011 Boston Bruins, where he teamed up with Frantisek Kaberle's brother Tomas.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
The Hurricanes became the third former World Hockey Association franchise to win the Stanley Cup, following the Oilers and Quebec Nordiques, who won as the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and 2001.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
The 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs marked the second time in a row that an Alberta-based team had made it to the finals only to lose in seven games to the Southeast Division champions, as the Calgary Flames were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
The Oilers were not able to complete their Cinderella run, having entered the playoffs seeded eighth, denying General Manager Kevin Lowe and Head Coach Craig MacTavish from joining Lester Patrick and Frank Boucher as the only duos to win the Stanley Cup together as players and then as a coach-managerial team, as the two were with the Oilers as players in 1987, 1988 and 1990 and the New York Rangers in 1994.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
Coincidentally, in each game of the final, the team that won the opening faceoff went on to win that game.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Game summaries, Game seven
This was the first major-league professional championship for the state of North Carolina by a men's team (the Carolina Courage of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association won the 2002 Founders Cup), although the Hurricanes made it to the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Detroit Red Wings in 5 games; and the Carolina Panthers made it to Super Bowl XXXVIII, but lost to the New England Patriots, and Super Bowl 50, losing to the Denver Broncos. It is also, as of 2020, the only world championship by a current North Carolina team in any of the four major league sports.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Team rosters
Years indicated in boldface under the "Finals appearance" column signify that the player won the Stanley Cup in the given year.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Stanley Cup engraving
The 2006 Stanley Cup was presented to Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman following the Hurricanes 3–1 win over the Oilers in game seven.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Stanley Cup engraving
The following Hurricanes players and staff had their names engraved on the Stanley Cup


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Stanley Cup engraving, Players
Nine players remained from the 2002 Carolina team that lost in the finals – Craig Adams, Kevyn Adams, Rod Brind'Amour, Erik Cole, Bret Hedican, Josef Vasicek, Niclas Wallin, Glen Wesley, Aaron Ward. Jeff Daniels also played in 2002, but was an Assistant Coach in 2006. Assistant Coach Kevin McCarthy was the only remaining member of 2002 Carolina Coaching Staff.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Stanley Cup engraving, Stanley Cup engraving
Included on team picture, but left off the Stanley Cup


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Stanley Cup engraving, Stanley Cup engraving
Spare players for the playoffs – left off Stanley Cup and team picture


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Stanley Cup engraving, Stanley Cup engraving
All nine above received a Stanley Cup, along with many other members.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Television
In the United States, this was the first Stanley Cup Finals to be broadcast on NBC and OLN (later Versus, currently NBC Sports Network). Games one and two were on OLN, while the remainder of the series was on NBC. NBC's broadcast of game seven drew a 3.3 rating, a 21% drop from ABC's 4.2 for game seven in 2004. However, some NBC affiliates didn't air game seven live. Overall, NBC had an average rating of 2.3 for its five telecasts of the final, down 12% from ABC's 2004 average.


2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Television
In Canada, the CBC's broadcast of game seven drew 4.739 million viewers. However, it included pre-game and post-game coverage. The game itself drew 5.553 million.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League (NHL) championship began on April 21, 2006, following the 2005–06 regular season. This was the first playoffs since 2004 due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout that cancelled the previously scheduled season. The 16 teams that qualified, seeded one through eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series with re-seeding after the Conference Quarterfinals. The conference champions played a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs
The Finals concluded on June 19 with the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Stanley Cup, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the final series four games to three. Carolina goaltender Cam Ward was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the playoffs. The Edmonton Oilers would miss the playoffs each year thereafter until 2017. This was also the last time that the Pittsburgh Penguins missed the playoffs.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs
While the 2005–06 season introduced a shootout to break ties after five minutes of four-on-four overtime, the Stanley Cup playoffs retained their traditional format of unlimited 20-minute periods of five-on-five sudden-death overtime to break ties.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs
The Western Conference made history in the first round when all four series were won by the lower-seeded teams (conversely, all four series in the Eastern Conference were won by the higher-seeded teams). The eighth- and lowest-seeded Oilers proceeded to win the Western Conference and participate in the Stanley Cup Finals. Four Canadian teams qualified for the playoffs this year, this total was not equaled again until 2013 and not exceeded until 2015 with five.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (1) Ottawa Senators vs. (8) Tampa Bay Lightning
The Ottawa Senators entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference regular season and Northeast Division champions with 113 points. Tampa Bay qualified as the eighth seed earning 92 points during the regular season. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Ottawa won all four games during this year's regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (1) Ottawa Senators vs. (8) Tampa Bay Lightning
The Senators defeated the Lightning in five games. The Senators used a two-man advantage in the third period of game one to gain the lead as they took the game by a score of 4–1. In game two the Lightning came back from a one-goal deficit by scoring two goals 55 seconds apart as they evened the series with a 4–3 victory. Six Ottawa skaters scored a goal in game three as the Senators won 8–4. Ottawa scored three times in the second-period of game four as they earned a 5–2 win. Martin Havlat scored the series-winning goal for the Senators at 15:02 of the second period as Ottawa closed out the series with a 3–2 victory.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (7) Montreal Canadiens
The Carolina Hurricanes entered the playoffs as the Southeast Division champions, earning the second seed in the Eastern Conference with 112 points. Montreal qualified as the seventh seed earning 93 points during the regular season. This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams with Montreal winning five of the six previous series. They last met in the 2002 Eastern Conference Semifinals where Carolina won in six games. Carolina won all four games during this year's regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (7) Montreal Canadiens
The Hurricanes eliminated the Canadiens in six games. After allowing a goal in the opening minute of game one the Canadiens scored six unanswered goals taking the opening game of the series 6–1. Carolina pulled goaltender Martin Gerber after allowing three goals in the first period of game two and he was replaced by 22-year-old rookie backup Cam Ward. The Hurricanes were able to tie the game with 90 seconds remaining in regulation before losing in double overtime as Michael Ryder scored at 2:32, giving Montreal a 6–5 win.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (7) Montreal Canadiens
In game three Eric Staal scored the game winner 3:38 into overtime as Carolina won 2–1. Rod Brind'Amour gave the Hurricanes the lead in game four and they hung on to win 3–2. Cam Ward made 30 saves and allowed just one goal against as the Hurricanes took game five 2–1. Hurricanes forward Cory Stillman ended the series at 1:19 of the first overtime as Carolina won game six 2–1.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (3) New Jersey Devils vs. (6) New York Rangers
The New Jersey Devils entered the playoffs as the Atlantic Division champions (winning the tie-breaker with Philadelphia in total wins), earning the third seed in the Eastern Conference with 101 points. New York qualified for the first time since 1997 as the sixth seed earning 100 points during the regular season. This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams with New York winning all three previous series. They last met in the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals where New York won in five games. The teams split this year's eight game regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (3) New Jersey Devils vs. (6) New York Rangers
The Devils swept the Rangers in four games. The Devils scored five times on the power play in game one winning 6–1, Devils forward Patrik Elias scored six points in the victory (two goals and four assists). In game two John Madden scored a hat trick for the Devils as they earned a 4–1 victory. Martin Brodeur earned his 21st career playoff shutout with 25 saves as the Devils won game three 3–0. New Jersey took the lead in the second period of game four with two power play goals and they never looked back eliminating the Rangers by a final score of 4–2.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (4) Buffalo Sabres vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers
The Buffalo Sabres entered the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference with 110 points. Philadelphia qualified as the fifth seed (losing the tie-breaker with New Jersey in total wins for the Atlantic Division title) earning 101 points during the regular season. This was the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams with Philadelphia winning five of the seven previous series. They last met in the 2001 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals where Buffalo won in six games. Buffalo won three of the four games during this year's regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (4) Buffalo Sabres vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers
The Sabres defeated the Flyers in six games. Philadelphia goaltender Robert Esche made 55 saves in a 3–2 Flyers loss; Daniel Briere ended the game with a goal at 7:31 in double-overtime. Buffalo forwards Jean-Pierre Dumont and Jason Pominville each recorded hat-tricks in game two as the Sabres scored three power play goals rolling to an 8–2 victory. Peter Forsberg scored two second period goals in game three to break a 1–1 tie, the Flyers went on to win the game 4–2.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, (4) Buffalo Sabres vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers
In game four R. J. Umberger put the Flyers up for good with his goal at 9:51 in the third period as Philadelphia evened the series with a 5–4 victory. Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller made 24 saves to earn his first career playoff shutout in game five as Buffalo won 3–0. In game six the Sabres jumped to a 5–0 lead on a goal by Maxim Afinogenov as the Flyers pulled Robert Esche from the game, Buffalo went on to a resounding 7–1 series-clinching victory.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
The Detroit Red Wings entered the playoffs as the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Western Conference regular season and Central Division champions, with 124 points. Edmonton qualified as the eighth seed earning 95 points (losing the tie-breaker with Colorado in total wins) during the regular season. This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams with Edmonton winning both previous series. They last met in the 1988 Clarence Campbell Conference Final where Edmonton won in five games. Detroit won this year's four game regular season series earning six of eight points during the season.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
The eighth seeded Oilers upset the Red Wings in six games. Red Wings winger Kirk Maltby scored two goals in game one, including the winner in double overtime as Detroit won 3–2. The Oilers took the lead by scoring twice in 57 seconds in the second period of game two as they hung on to win 4–2. Jarret Stoll provided the game-winner in double overtime in game three giving the Oilers a 4–3 victory. The Red Wings scored three power-play goals in game four earning a 4–2 victory to tie the series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson made 30 saves as Edmonton hung on to win game five by a score of 3–2. The Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit after two periods of play in game six by scoring four times in third period, Ales Hemsky broke the tie with 1:06 remaining in regulation as Edmonton ended the series with a 4–3 win.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (2) Dallas Stars vs. (7) Colorado Avalanche
The Dallas Stars entered the playoffs as the Pacific Division champions, earning the second seed in the Western Conference with 112 points. Colorado qualified as the seventh seed earning 95 points (winning the tie-breaker with Edmonton in total wins) during the regular season. This was the fourth and most recent playoff meeting between these two teams, with Dallas winning two of three previous series. They last met in the 2004 Western Conference Quarterfinals where Colorado won in five games. Dallas won three of the four games during this year's regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (2) Dallas Stars vs. (7) Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche upset the Stars in five games. After trailing by two early in the first period of game one the Avalanche scored five un-answered goals and won by a score of 5–2. Brett Clark tied the game with a short-handed goal at 17:56 of the third period and four and a half minutes into overtime Joe Sakic scored his NHL-record seventh career playoff overtime goal to end the game in a 5–4 Colorado victory.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (2) Dallas Stars vs. (7) Colorado Avalanche
Avalanche forward Andrew Brunette scored with 57 seconds remaining in the third period to tie game three and Alex Tanguay tallied his second goal of the game at 1:09 of the first overtime to give the Avalanche a 4–3 win. Dallas staved off elimination in game four as Niklas Hagman scored two goals in a 4–1 victory. Colorado goaltender Jose Theodore made 50 saves in game five and Andrew Brunette scored the series-clinching goal nearly fourteen minutes into overtime to give the Avalanche a 3–2 win.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (3) Calgary Flames vs. (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
The Calgary Flames entered the playoffs as the Northwest Division champions, earning the third seed in the Western Conference with 103 points. Anaheim qualified as the sixth seed earning 98 points during the regular season. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. The teams split this year's four game regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (3) Calgary Flames vs. (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
The Mighty Ducks eliminated the Flames in seven games. Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff made 33 saves and Darren McCarty scored 9:45 into the first overtime as Calgary won game one 2–1. In game two Anaheim took a three-goal lead and hung on for a 4–3 victory. The Flames scored three power-play goals as they earned a 5–2 win in game three. Sean O'Donnell scored the overtime winner shortly after a power play expired in game four as Anaheim evened the series with a 3–2 victory.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (3) Calgary Flames vs. (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Flames captain Jarome Iginla scored twice as the Calgary held off a late charge by the Mighty Ducks taking a 3–2 victory in game five. In game six, Mighty Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer scored a power-play goal with just over five minutes remaining in regulation time as Anaheim forced a seventh game with their 2–1 win. Anaheim goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov made 22 saves as the Mighty Ducks ended the Flames season with a shutout winning game seven 3–0.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (4) Nashville Predators vs. (5) San Jose Sharks
The Nashville Predators entered the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Western Conference with 106 points. San Jose qualified as the fifth seed earning 99 points during the regular season. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Nashville won this year's four game regular season series earning six of eight points during the season.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Quarterfinals, Western Conference Quarterfinals, (4) Nashville Predators vs. (5) San Jose Sharks
The Sharks eliminated the Predators in five games. All four of the Predators goals in game one came on the power play as Nashville took the opening game 4–3. In game two San Jose scored three first period power play goals and Vesa Toskala earned a shutout in the Sharks 3–0 victory. San Jose captain Patrick Marleau scored twice in game three as the Sharks won 4–1. Nashville attempted to make a comeback late in game four as the Sharks hung on to win 5–4, Patrick Marleau recorded a hat trick in the victory. San Jose continued to exploit the Predators penalty killing in game five as they scored twice on the power play and ended Nashville's season with a 2–1 victory.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Eastern Conference Semifinals, (1) Ottawa Senators vs. (4) Buffalo Sabres
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams with Buffalo winning both previous series. They last met in the 1999 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals where Buffalo won in four games. Ottawa won five of the eight games during this year's regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Eastern Conference Semifinals, (1) Ottawa Senators vs. (4) Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres eliminated the Senators in five games. Sabres forward Tim Connolly tied game one with just 10.7 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at six and Chris Drury ended the game just 18 seconds into overtime as Buffalo won 7–6. Ryan Miller faced 44 shots and allowed just one goal against as the Sabres won game two 2–1. Overtime was required in game three after Jason Spezza tied the game late in the third period. Jean-Pierre Dumont ended the game with a goal at 5:05 of the first overtime as the Sabres took the game 3–2.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Eastern Conference Semifinals, (1) Ottawa Senators vs. (4) Buffalo Sabres
In game four Wade Redden scored a power-play goal early in the third period as the Senators earned a 2–1 victory. Sabres rookie forward Jason Pominville became the first player in league history to score a short-handed overtime goal to end a series as he scored just 2:26 into the first overtime as Buffalo won game five 3–2.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Eastern Conference Semifinals, (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams with the teams splitting the two previous series. They last met in the 2002 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals where Carolina won in six games. Carolina won this year's four game regular season series earning five of eight points during the season.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Eastern Conference Semifinals, (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils
The Hurricanes defeated New Jersey in five games. Carolina scored five power-play goals in game one as they won 6–0. Scott Gomez gave the Devils a 2–1 lead with just over twenty seconds to go in the third period of game two, however just 18 seconds later Eric Staal scored the game-tying goal with just three seconds left in regulation time to send the game into overtime. Niclas Wallin tallied the game-winner 3:09 into the first overtime. In game three Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour scored the game-winner with 1:01 to play in the second period. New Jersey jumped out to a 5–0 lead and won game four with a final score of 5–1. Cory Stillman scored the series-winning goal at 14:20 of the second period as the Hurricanes held on for a 4–1 victory in game five.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Western Conference Semifinals, (5) San Jose Sharks vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Edmonton won three of the four games during this year's regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Western Conference Semifinals, (5) San Jose Sharks vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers came back from a two-game deficit to defeat the Sharks in six games. Patrick Marleau recorded a goal and an assist during game one in a 2–1 San Jose victory. The Sharks won game two 2–1 with Joe Thornton scoring the game-winner on the power play in the second period. Sharks goaltender Vesa Toskala made 55 saves in a losing effort in game three as the Oilers won in a triple-overtime on a goal scored by Shawn Horcoff at 2:24 to give Edmonton a 3–2 win.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Western Conference Semifinals, (5) San Jose Sharks vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton came back from an early 3–1 deficit in game four and scored five unanswered goals to win 6–3 and to even the series at two games apiece. After San Jose tied game five early the third period the Oilers scored three unanswered goals as they took another 6–3 victory. Dwayne Roloson posted a 24 save shutout in game six as the Oilers took the game 2–0 with the game-winning goal from Michael Peca to win the series four games to two.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Western Conference Semifinals, (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim vs. (7) Colorado Avalanche
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Colorado won three of the four games during this year's regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Semifinals, Western Conference Semifinals, (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim vs. (7) Colorado Avalanche
Anaheim swept the Avalanche in four games. The Mighty Ducks scored four times in the second period of game one as Anaheim won 5–0, rookie Ilya Bryzgalov recorded his second-straight shutout. In game two Ilya Bryzgalov equalled a rookie record previously set by Frank McCool in 1945 as he recorded his third straight playoff shutout as the Mighty Ducks won 3–0. In game three Dan Hinote ended Ilya Bryzgalov's shutout streak at 249:15 (the second longest in league history) when he scored late in the first period for the Avalanche. Joffrey Lupul scored four goals including the overtime winner as the Mighty Ducks won 4–3. Joe Sakic scored the only goal for the Avalanche in game four as Anaheim finished off the series with a 4–1 victory to advance to their second Conference Final appearance in team history.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Finals, Eastern Conference Final, (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Buffalo Sabres
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Carolina most recently made it to the Conference Finals in 2002, defeating Toronto in six games, while the Sabres last made it to the Conference Finals in 1999, defeating Toronto in five games. Carolina won three of the four games in this year's four game regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Finals, Eastern Conference Final, (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Buffalo Sabres
The Hurricanes eliminated the Sabres in seven games. Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller made 29 saves in game one as Buffalo won 3–2. Ray Whitney scored twice in the second period of game two as the Hurricanes evened the series with a 4–3 victory. The Sabres scored four times in just over thirteen minutes in game three as they earned a 4–3 win. Martin Gerber made 22 saves in a shutout victory for the Hurricanes as they took game four by a score of 4–0.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Finals, Eastern Conference Final, (2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Buffalo Sabres
Cam Ward replaced Martin Gerber early in the second period of game five as the Hurricanes came back from a two-goal deficit and won the game 4–3 on a power-play goal scored by Cory Stillman at 8:46 of the first overtime period. Daniel Briere forced a seventh game in this series with his game-winning goal at 4:22 of the first overtime as Buffalo won game six 2–1. Hurricanes forward Rod Brind'Amour capitalised on a delay of game penalty to Brian Campbell at 11:22 of the third period in game seven as Carolina advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals with a 4–2 victory.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Finals, Western Conference Final, (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Anaheim most recently made it to the Conference Finals in 2003, sweeping the Minnesota Wild in four games, while the Oilers last made it to the Conference Finals in 1992, losing to Chicago in four games. Edmonton won all four games during this year's regular season series.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Finals, Western Conference Final, (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers eliminated Anaheim in five games. Ales Hemsky's power-play goal at 11:35 of the second period gave the Oilers the lead as they took game one 3–1. Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson made 33 saves won again by a score of 3–1. Fernando Pisani scored the game-winning goal for the Oilers in game three as the two teams traded eight goals in the third period and Edmonton hung on for a 5–4 victory. Anaheim changed goaltenders before the start of game four as Jean-Sebastien Giguere got the start for the Mighty Ducks.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Conference Finals, Western Conference Final, (6) Mighty Ducks of Anaheim vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
Anaheim took a three-goal lead in the first period and never looked back winning the game 6–3. Dwayne Roloson made 32 saves as the Oilers ended the series with a 2–1 victory in game five. The Oilers became the first eighth-seeded team to reach the Finals under this playoff format (which was introduced in 1994). Anaheim changed their team nickname, uniforms and logo after the season as they became known as the Anaheim Ducks.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Stanley Cup Finals
This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Carolina made their second Finals appearance, while Edmonton made their seventh appearance in the Finals. The Hurricanes were defeated in their last appearance in the Finals losing to Detroit in five games in 2002, the Oilers won their last appearance in the Finals defeating Boston in five games in 1990. The teams did not meet during the regular season. This series marked the first time that two former World Hockey Association teams played against each other for the Stanley Cup since they merged with the NHL in 1979. This was the first Stanley Cup Finals to be contested by two teams that had both missed the playoffs the previous season.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Player statistics, Skaters
GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/– = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Player statistics, Goaltending
These are the top five goaltenders based on either goals against average or save percentage with at least four games played.


2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Player statistics, Goaltending
GP = Games Played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SA = Shots Against; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes:seconds); Sv% = Save Percentage; SO = Shutouts


2006 Star World Championships
The 2006 Star World Championship was held at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, United States between September 27 and October 8, 2006. The championship was administered by the World Sailing.


2006 State Twenty20 Cricket Knock-Out Tournament
The 2006 State Twenty20 Cricket Knock-Out Tournament was a domestic Twenty20 tournament in New Zealand. The tournament was held in Invercargill on 10-12 November 2006.


2006 State Twenty20 Cricket Knock-Out Tournament
A prize of $30,000 was on offer for the winners of the tournament. Teams representing the six senior cricket associations of New Zealand (Auckland, Northern Districts, Wellington, Central Districts, Canterbury and Otago) took part, but owing to inclement weather only 4 of the 9 scheduled matches took place.


2006 State of Mexico election
A local election was held in the State of Mexico, Mexico on Sunday, March 12, 2006. About 3.5 million people (40% of the total registered electorate) went to the polls to elect, on the local level:


2006 State of Mexico election
In addition to the eight nationally recognized political parties, the State of Mexico has, as of 2006, one locally recognized political party, the Partido Unidos por México (PUM), therefore nine political parties will participate in the Mexico state election.


2006 State of Origin series
The 2006 State of Origin series was the 25th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. It was decided in three matches which drew a total attendance of 180,074. Queensland won the series 2-1, their first outright series victory since 2001 and the first in their record-breaking run of eight consecutive series wins. Prior to game one there was growing concern about the long term future of State of Origin, many commentators were beginning to wonder if Queensland would ever win another series after three consecutive New South Wales victories.


2006 State of Origin series, Game I
Craig Gower was originally picked for the New South Wales side at halfback but pulled out because of injury. Matt Orford was forced to turn down selection as cover for Gower, also because of injury. Both Andrew Johns and Trent Barrett turned down coming out of retirement to play in the fixture so eventually Brett Finch was selected to start at halfback in jersey no. 20 for New South Wales as a last-minute inclusion.


2006 State of Origin series, Game I
The Queensland selectors picked a total of seven State of Origin debutants for game I.


2006 State of Origin series, Game I
Game I was played at Telstra Stadium, Sydney, and won by New South Wales 17-16, following a late field goal by NSW late-choice halfback, Brett Finch.


2006 State of Origin series, Game II
For Queensland, Origin debutant Adam Mogg replaced the injured Greg Inglis


2006 State of Origin series, Game II
In game II, Queensland levelled the series at home at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, with a commanding 30-6 victory.


2006 State of Origin series, Game III
Justin Hodges was ruled out of the Queensland side for game III after he re-tore his hamstring and was replaced by Josh Hannay. Steven Bell was also ruled out after he sustained a fractured cheekbone in game II.


2006 State of Origin series, Game III
After the heavy loss in game II the New South Wales selectors made five changes, bringing in Matt Cooper, Paul Gallen, Craig Gower, Luke O'Donnell and Ben Hornby as well as moving Matt King into the centres, Mark Gasnier to five-eighth and Luke Bailey into the starting side.


2006 State of Origin series, Game III
Game III was held at Telstra Dome, Melbourne, and was the first decider played at a neutral venue. Some controversial video referring decisions in the first ten minutes of the second half saw Queensland trailing 14-4 with ten minutes remaining. Queensland, however, scored two converted tries in the space of five minutes – first Brent Tate's long-range try after a line break from Thurston and then Lockyer intercepting a Hodgson pass inside New South Wales' own half – to take the match and series, winning 16-14.


2006 State of the Union Address
The 2006 State of the Union Address was given by the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush, on Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at 9 p.m. EST, in the chamber of the United States House of Representatives to the 109th United States Congress. It was Bush's fifth State of the Union Address and his sixth speech to a joint session of the United States Congress. Presiding over this joint session was the House speaker, Dennis Hastert, accompanied by Dick Cheney, the vice president, in his capacity as the president of the Senate.


2006 State of the Union Address
The address outlined the President's legislative proposals for the upcoming year and referenced the budget deficit, health care reform, the War on Terror, the Occupation of Iraq, Iran's nuclear program, the rising price of gasoline and the transfer to independent sources of alternative energy, illegal immigration, Hurricane Katrina and the federal response to natural disasters, Avian influenza (H5N1) outbreak, the Abramoff scandal and corruption within the government, the NSA spying controversy, the successful nomination of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, and the Administration's proposed ban on same-sex marriage.


2006 State of the Union Address
Newly elected Governor of Virginia Tim Kaine gave the Democratic response in English and Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa did so in Spanish.


2006 State of the Union Address, Introduction
President Bush began his State of the Union Address for the year by reflecting on the memory of Coretta Scott King, who died earlier that day, and Martin Luther King Jr., "the husband who was taken so long ago". Bush then paralleled "moments of national mourning," an indirect reference to the September 11, 2001 attacks with "national achievement." When discussing the American political system, Bush used anaphora, repeating "two" at the beginning of each clause, "two parties, two chambers, and two elected branches."


2006 State of the Union Address, Introduction
Bush shifted his tense from the past to the future while emphasizing the need for civility and bipartisanship among legislators during debate. Echoing his 2005 State of the Union address, he stated "Tonight the state of our Union is strong – and together we will make it stronger."


2006 State of the Union Address, Terrorism and isolationism
He again used anaphora by repeating "We will choose," paralleling "pursuing the enemies of freedom," applicable to both the Axis of Evil and terrorists in general, with "Retreating "from our duties in the hope of an easier life," a direct attack on Criticism of the Iraq War, which particularly calls for withdrawal. He paralleled choosing "to build our prosperity by leading the world economy" with the alternative "shut[ting] ourselves off from trade and opportunity," a warning against protectionism and isolationism.


2006 State of the Union Address, Terrorism and isolationism
The President cited a foiled terror plot in Los Angeles, where terrorists supposedly planned to hijack a plane and fly it into the Liberty Tower.


2006 State of the Union Address, Democracy versus tyranny
Bush stated that America's involvement in Afghanistan is a necessity, part of an overall historical goal of trying to end tyranny worldwide, because "problems originating in a failed and oppressive state seven thousand miles away" orchestrated the September 11th attacks and continue to "shelter terrorists, feed resentment and radicalism, and seek weapons of mass destruction" whereas Democracies give hope and "respect the rights of their citizens and their neighbors."


2006 State of the Union Address, Democracy versus tyranny
The president pointed out that there are 98 more Democratic countries in 2006 than there were in 1945, in addition to Women's suffrage in Afghanistan, the Purple Revolution in Iraq, and political discourse in Lebanon and Egypt, as evidence that Democracy, freedom, and self-governance have grown throughout the world. Although many social and political analysts would agree that more people live in free and fair societies than at the end of World War II, all of the examples Bush provided lay in the Middle East.


2006 State of the Union Address, Democracy versus tyranny
He went on to say that the "demands of justice, and the peace of this world, require... freedom" for the citizens of nations in the Axis of Evil; Syria, Burma, Zimbabwe, North Korea, and Iran.


2006 State of the Union Address, Radical Islam
Shifting away from the comparison of democracy and dictatorship during the Cold War and post-9/11 America, Bush outlined the major opposition to freedom as radical Islam, which he defines as "the perversion by a few of a noble faith into an ideology of terror and death." See also: Religion of Peace


2006 State of the Union Address, Radical Islam
He stressed that "bin Laden [is] serious about mass murder" and wants to "impose... totalitarian control throughout the Middle East, and arm [al Qaeda] with weapons of mass murder. Their aim is to seize power in Iraq, and use it as a safe haven... When they murder children at a school in Beslan, or blow up commuters in London, or behead a bound captive, the terrorists hope these horrors will break our will."


2006 State of the Union Address, Radical Islam
He indirectly referenced the Beatitudes by saying the terrorists hope that breaking the will of the U.S. will allow "the violent to inherit the Earth."


2006 State of the Union Address, Retreat from evil
In a verbal attack on "isolationist" and "appeasing" sentiments, Bush condemned "the false comfort of isolationism" for sending the "signal to all that we no longer believe in our own ideals, or even in our own courage."


2006 State of the Union Address, Energy
Bush stated that America is addicted to oil often originating from unstable parts of the world. He announced increased funding in clean-energy research: renewable energy, for instance biofuels and nuclear energy. He also stated the goal of 75% oil import replacement by 2025 based on new technologies.


2006 Stella Artois Championships
The 2006 Stella Artois Championships, also known as the Queen's Club Championships, was a men's tennis tournament that was part of the International Series of the 2006 ATP Tour. It was the 104th edition of the event and was held on outdoor grass courts at the Queen's Club in London, United Kingdom, from 12 June until 18 June 2006. Lleyton Hewitt won the singles title, his fourth win at the event after 2000, 2001 and 2002.


2006 Stella Artois Championships, Finals, Doubles
Paul Hanley /  Kevin Ullyett defeated  Jonas Björkman /  Max Mirnyi, 6–4, 3–6, [10–8]


2006 Stella Artois Championships – Doubles
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan were the defending champions, but lost in the semifinals this year.


2006 Stella Artois Championships – Doubles
Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett won in the final 6–4, 3–6, [10–8], against Jonas Björkman and Max Mirnyi.


2006 Stella Artois Championships – Singles
Andy Roddick was the defending champion but lost in the semifinals to James Blake.


2006 Stella Artois Championships – Singles
Lleyton Hewitt won in the final 6–4, 6–4 against Blake.


2006 Stella Artois Championships – Singles, Seeds
The top eight seeds receive a bye into the second round.


2006 Stevenage Borough Council election
Elections to Stevenage Council were held on 4 May 2006. One third of the council was up for election; the seats which were last contested in 2002. The Labour Party stayed in overall control of the council.


2006 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
The 29th and final Stinkers Bad Movie Awards were released by the Hastings Bad Cinema Society in 2007 to honor the worst films the film industry had to offer in 2006. Zoom received the most nominations with ten. Dishonourable mentions are also featured for Worst Picture (39 total). A few months after the results were released, the Stinkers released their expanded 1981 ballot before shutting down for good.


2006 Stock Car Brasil season
The 2006 Copa Nextel Stock Car was the 28th Stock Car Brasil season. It began on April 9 at the Interlagos and ended on December 10 at the same circuit, after twelve rounds.


2006 Stock Car Brasil season, Race calendar and results
All races were held in Brazil, excepting the round at Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez, which held in Argentina.


2006 Stockholm municipal election
The 2006 Stockholm municipal election was held on 17 September 2006, concurrently with the 2006 Swedish general election. The election determined how many seats each party would be allocated on the 101-member Stockholm city council (Stockholms kommunfullmäktige) thorough a system of proportional representation. A total of 490,869 votes were cast in this election, for a total voter turnout of 79.1%


2006 Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council election
The 2006 Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 4 May 2006 to elect members of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council in England. This was on the same day as other local elections. One third of the council was up for election, with each successful candidate serving a four-year term of office, expiring in 2010. The Liberal Democrats held overall control of the council.


2006 Stratford-on-Avon District Council election
The 2006 Stratford-on-Avon District Council election took place on 4 May 2006 to elect members of Stratford-on-Avon District Council in Warwickshire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative Party stayed in overall control of the council.


2006 Stratford-on-Avon District Council election, Campaigns
19 seats were due to be contested in the election but in Wellesbourne, independent Roger Wright did not face any opposition meaning that only 18 seats saw contests take place. Both the Conservatives, who were defending 11 seats, and the Liberal Democrats, who were defending 7, were hoping to make gains in the election, while the Labour party only put up 4 candidates in the election.


2006 Stratford-on-Avon District Council election, Campaigns
The Conservatives campaigned on pledges to take action over traffic congestion and to keep council tax levels low. However the Liberal Democrats said that big improvements in services were needed and that improving basic services should be put before any ambitious plans for the area.


2006 Stratford-on-Avon District Council election, Election result
The results saw no seats change hands with the Conservatives remaining in control of the council as a result. Overall turnout in the election was 41.5%.


2006 Stroud District Council election
The 2006 Stroud Council election took place on 4 May 2006 to elect members of Stroud District Council in Gloucestershire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative Party stayed in overall control of the council.


2006 Stroud District Council election, Election result
The results saw the Conservative Party increase their majority on the council after gaining 2 seats. The Conservatives gained a seat in Cainscross from the Labour Party and Wotton-under-Edge from the Liberal Democrats, while holding the other 11 seats they had been defending. Meanwhile, the Greens gained Over Stroud from the Labour Party and came within 70 votes of taking Nailsworth from the Conservatives. This meant the Greens had 5 seats after the election, the same number as the Liberal Democrats. Overall turnout in the election was 42.16%, a little above the national average.


2006 Stuart by-election
A by-election for the seat of Stuart in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly was held on 23 September 2006. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labor member Peter Toyne, the Minister for Health, on 29 August 2006 due to ill health. The seat had been held by the Labor Party since 1983, with Toyne as the member since 1996.


2006 Stuart by-election
The Labor Party selected indigenous policy adviser Karl Hampton as its candidate. The opposition Country Liberal Party endorsed two candidates, while three independents also contested, including the CLP's 2005 candidate Anna Machado. Hampton easily won the by-election.


2006 Stuart by-election, Results
§ The combined CLP vote was 20.3%, a decrease of 8.4% from the 2005 result.


2006 Subway 500
The 2006 Subway 500 was the 32nd stock car race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the sixth in the ten-race Chase for the Nextel Cup. It was held on October 22, 2006, before a crowd of 65,000, at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia, one of five short tracks to hold NASCAR races. Jimmie Johnson won the 500‑lap race starting from the ninth position; Denny Hamlin finished second, and Bobby Labonte was third.


2006 Subway 500
Kurt Busch won the pole position with the fastest time in qualifying. He was immediately passed by Jeff Gordon at the start of the race. Gordon held the lead for 143 laps, until Johnson took the lead for one lap. Gordon regained the lead on the next lap, only to lose it to Johnson again on the 153rd lap. Labonte moved into the lead on lap 406 and held it with 55 laps remaining when he was passed by Johnson. At the race's final restart on lap 495, Hamlin challenged Johnson for the lead, but the latter held off Hamlin's passing maneuver and won the race. There were 18 cautions and 16 lead changes by five different drivers during the race.


2006 Subway 500
It was Johnson's fifth win of the 2006 season and the 23rd of his career. The result advanced him to third in the Drivers' Championship, 41 points behind Matt Kenseth (who took over the championship lead when Jeff Burton retired during the race; this caused Burton to fall to fifth in the championship, one point behind Hamlin). Chevrolet maintained its lead in the Manufacturers' Championship, 53 points ahead of Dodge, and 61 ahead of Ford with four races left in the season.


2006 Subway 500, Background
The Subway 500 was the 32nd of 36 scheduled stock car races of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the sixth in the ten-race season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup. On October 22, 2006, it was held at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia, a short track that holds NASCAR races. The standard track at Martinsville Speedway is a four-turn, 0.526-mile (0.847 km) oval. Its turns are banked at eleven degrees, and neither the front stretch (the location of the finish line) nor the backstretch is banked.


2006 Subway 500, Background
Before the race, Jeff Burton led the Drivers' Championship with 5,763 points, with Matt Kenseth second and Kevin Harvick third. Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were fourth and fifth, and Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top ten drivers competing for the 2006 Chase for the Nextel Cup. In the Manufacturers' Championship, Chevrolet led with 237 points; Dodge was second with 179, followed by Ford with 173. Gordon was the race's defending champion.


2006 Subway 500, Background
After falling from seventh to tenth in the Drivers' Championship at the previous race (at Charlotte Motor Speedway), Gordon said he would try and win races to return to contention for the championship. Jeff Burton called the Subway 500 "another volatile race in the Chase" and thought it would significantly impact the chase contenders. Although Kenseth felt the race would be the toughest for his team, he believed a good finish would put him in a better position for the championship because of his good results at the tracks following the Martinsville race.


2006 Subway 500, Background
After a good finish at Charlotte, Earnhardt felt he was in "good shape": "Jeff has been at this a long time, but I don't look at him as indestructible. If he has a mistake or even a couple of bad runs, it will completely shake up the points." After winning the Busch Series championship, Harvick focused on the Nextel Cup championship: "We're excited about it, proud of what we've done this year, and, hopefully, we can do what we need to do on the Cup side in the next five weeks. I have never had a season like this." Hamlin thought he would perform well at Martinsville, where he felt comfortable. He and his team did not rule themselves out of contention for the title.


2006 Subway 500, Background
In preparation for the race, NASCAR held the last of its test days for Nextel Cup entrants on October 16–18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Sessions began at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), paused from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., and concluded at 9:00 p.m. Fifty-eight cars, a mix of Cars of Tomorrow and 2006 cars, participated in the October 16 afternoon session. Reed Sorenson was quickest with a speed of 171.652 miles per hour (276.247 km/h), and Casey Mears had the highest speed of 173.077 miles per hour (278.540 km/h) in the evening session.


2006 Subway 500, Background
During the third session (with 75 cars), Kyle Busch had the fastest speed of 175.382 miles per hour (282.250 km/h); Gordon had the highest speed of the three days, at 175.553 miles per hour (282.525 km/h) in the fourth session. During the fifth session, on the afternoon of October 18, 23 cars were tested. Scott Wimmer had the highest speed of 172.364 miles per hour (277.393 km/h), and Jeff Green had the highest speed of 174.639 miles per hour (281.054 km/h) in the evening session.


2006 Subway 500, Background
There were 50 cars represented by 3 different manufacturers entered for the race from a total of 29 teams. One team substituted for its regular driver. Morgan-McClure Motorsports driver Todd Bodine decided to concentrate on the Craftsman Truck Series title and was replaced by Ward Burton, the 2002 Daytona 500 champion. Burton, who had not raced since 2004, went to Motor Mile Speedway to reacquaint himself with NASCAR. According to crew chief Chris Carrier, Burton expressed a large amount of interest in driving at Martinsville: "He's a Virginia driver and we're a Virginia team.


2006 Subway 500, Background
That makes for a great combination at Martinsville." On October 18, Roush Racing announced that Craftsman Truck Series driver David Ragan would drive the No. 06 car in four of the season's five remaining races beginning with the Subway 500. Ragan said the experience would help him prepare for his full-time début in 2007.


2006 Subway 500, Practice and qualification
Three practice sessions were held before the Sunday race: one on Friday and two on Saturday. The first session lasted 90 minutes, the second 60 minutes, and the third 45 minutes. In the first practice session, Gordon was fastest with a time of 19.478 seconds; Ryan Newman was second and Hamlin third. Johnson took fourth position, and Dave Blaney placed fifth. Kurt Busch, Sterling Marlin, Green, Sorenson, and Kahne rounded out the session's top ten drivers. Martin switched to a back-up car after he crashed.


2006 Subway 500, Practice and qualification
Fifty cars entered qualifying on Friday afternoon, due to NASCAR's qualifying procedure, only forty-three could race. Each driver ran two laps, with the starting order determined by the competitor's fastest times. Kurt Busch clinched his sixth pole position of the season, the ninth of his career and his first at Martinsville, with a time of 19.408 seconds. He was joined on the grid's front row by Gordon, who was 0.038 seconds slower and had the pole position until Kurt Busch's lap. Hamlin qualified third, Newman fourth, and Tony Stewart fifth. Blaney was sixth, with Earnhardt and Green seventh and eighth.


2006 Subway 500, Practice and qualification
Johnson, a Chase for the Nextel Cup driver, qualified ninth, and Ken Schrader rounded out the top ten qualifiers. Harvick, another driver in the Chase, set the twelfth-fastest time. The seven drivers who failed to qualify were Mike Bliss, Hermie Sadler, Chad Chaffin, Morgan Shepherd, Ted Christopher, Derrike Cope, and Stanton Barrett. After the qualifier, Kurt Busch said, "It was a great lap, unexpected for me, but this team has always qualified well at this track, Martinsville is the kind of track that you either love or hate, and I've learned to do both. It's a tough, challenging short track."


2006 Subway 500, Practice and qualification
On Saturday morning, Marlin was fastest in the second practice session with a time of 19.668 seconds. Positions two through ten were occupied by Kahne, Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Mears, Johnson, Hamlin, Brian Vickers, Greg Biffle, and Jeff Burton. Of the other drivers in the Chase, Kyle Busch was 13th-fastest and Martin 19th. During the second practice session, Scott Riggs had an engine failure in the session's opening minutes and changed engines. Later that day, Johnson led the final practice session with a 19.722 lap; Harvick, Biffle, Marlin, David Stremme, Hamlin.


2006 Subway 500, Practice and qualification
Earnhardt, Kyle Busch, Gordon, and Mears were in positions two to ten. Other Chase drivers included Jeff Burton in 17th and Kahne in 17th; all were within one-tenth of a second of Johnson's time. The session was suspended when Kenny Wallace's engine blew up since the track then needed to be checked and cleaned, and Wallace changed engines. Jarrett spun out with a brake problem, but since he made only minor contact with the wall, he did not have to switch to a back-up car. After a similar collision, Michael Waltrip also did not have to switch cars.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Live television coverage of the race began at 12:32 p.m. EDT in the United States on NBC. Rain showers were forecast for the day of the race, and at the start, weather conditions were overcast, and some rain had already fallen. The air temperature was around 48 °F (9 °C). Cleaning trucks cleared the track before the start. Eldrid Davis of Raceway Ministries began pre-race ceremonies with an invocation, the Martinsville High School marching band performed the national anthem, and Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle commanded the drivers to start their engines. During the pace laps, Riggs and Wallace moved to the rear of the grid because they had changed their engines.


2006 Subway 500, Race
The race began at 1:00 p.m. Gordon accelerated faster than Kurt Busch off the line and was ahead of him by the second turn. The first caution was given three laps later when Kyle Petty spun in turn four, and Martin Truex Jr. made contact with the rear of the slowing Sorenson's car. Jeff Burton had front-end damage to his vehicle when he contacted the rear of Joe Nemechek's car, who hit Marlin. At the lap 11 restart, Gordon maintained his lead over Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin. Seven laps later, Hamlin passed Kurt Busch for second place.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Earnhardt passed Kurt Busch for fourth place on the 44th lap. On lap 45, he reported that one of his engine's cylinders was misfiring and was worse coming out of the turns. Five laps later, Gordon had a 1.8‑second lead over Hamlin, which grew to 2.4 seconds on lap 60; Earnhardt had moved into second on lap 58. On lap 65, a collision between Mears and Newman in turn two prompted the second caution; although Mears was spun around, he was able to continue. During the caution, all the leaders made pit stops for fuel and tires.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Jeff Burton's pit crew repaired his loose hood with tape on the right front. Biffle left the track on lap 67 with brake problems. Newman was sent to the rear of the longest line by NASCAR two laps later for his role in the incident with Mears, and Gordon maintained the top position at the lap-73 restart.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Six laps later, Earnhardt passed Raines for second position, and Gordon led Earnhardt by 1 7 seconds by lap 80. Raines was passed by Stewart for third by lap 83, and Johnson took third place from Stewart six laps later. J.J. Yeley drove to pit road on the 94th lap with a flat left-rear tire. On lap 106, Burton (whose car was hot because of the tape on his hood) made contact with Gordon and escaped with minor damage after a three-lap battle.


2006 Subway 500, Race
24 laps later, Johnson passed Earnhardt for second place, and on lap 145, he passed Gordon for the lead. One lap later, Gordon reclaimed first place, and built a quarter-second lead by lap 150. Johnson moved back into the lead on lap 153. Two laps later, Stremme spun sideways in turn four following contact with McMurray, prompting the third caution, and all the leaders made pit stops. Johnson remained the leader at the lap-162 restart, ahead of Gordon and Stewart. After the caution ended, Burton switched to a second ignition after feeling he had a problem with his engine. 42 laps later, Waltrip's turn-four spin prompted the fourth caution; he was able to continue. During the caution, the leaders again made pit stops. Johnson, who had minor air-pressure adjustments because of sunlight exposure at his pit stop, maintained his lead at the lap 210 restart.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Jeff Burton drove to his garage on lap 218 when a carburetor problem caused him to run slower than his rivals; Earnhardt, and Stewart avoided a wreck on that lap. Four laps later, the fifth caution came out when David Gilliland made contact with Ward Burton in turn two; although Burton spun, he avoided hitting the wall. Johnson maintained his lead at the lap-228 restart. The sixth caution was given on lap 231 when Sorenson spun after colliding with Riggs, causing Mike Skinner to strike the left front quarter of Harvick's car and Travis Kvapil to spin sideways.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Biffle sustained damage to his car's nose, and turn three was temporarily blocked. Harvick, Kahne, Vickers, and Biffle went to pit road for repairs, while the leaders remained on the track. Johnson led on the lap-239 restart. Four laps later, Kvapil made heavy contact with the wall after being bumped, and Tony Raines' car had a cut tire from contact with Ragan, prompting the seventh caution. Most of the leaders, including Johnson, again made pit stops. On lap 244, it was announced that Jeff Burton had retired from the race. Gordon became the leader at the lap 249 restart, ahead of Hamlin, Elliott Sadler, Kurt Busch, and Nemechek.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Hamlin passed Gordon for the lead on lap 256. Twenty-four laps later, Bowyer made contact with Kenseth, spinning him in turn four (although he kept his car off the wall) and prompting the race's eighth caution. During the caution, most of the leaders (including Hamlin) made pit stops. Kyle and Kurt Busch's pit crews made track-bar adjustments to their cars. Hamlin had tape added to the front of his car to fix a handling problem, and Sadler narrowly avoided a collision with Kahne. Johnson regained the lead after the pit stops, maintaining it at the lap-287 restart.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Thirteen laps later, Kurt Busch passed Earnhardt for second place, and Gordon moved back up to fifth by lap 318. On lap 333, the ninth caution was given. Schrader and Ragan made contact into turn one, causing Schrader to hit the outside wall, and both of them hit Jarrett. Schrader retired from the race because of the collision; Ragan and Jarrett continued. The leaders, including Johnson, made pit stops during the caution. Kurt Busch gained the lead after the pit stops, maintaining it at the lap-341 restart. Five laps later, Raines made contact with Skinner, forcing him to collide with the inside wall and prompting the tenth caution. With severe damage to his car's rear end quarter, Skinner stopped after the start-finish line. Kurt Busch maintained his lead at the lap-353 restart, ahead of Johnson and Earnhardt.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Johnson moved into the lead on the same lap after passing Kurt Busch, who dropped two more places over the next two laps. On lap 356, Ragan spun in the second turn after contact with Elliott Sadler, while having Stewart on the inside and Ward Burton on the outside, prompting the 11th caution; none of the leaders made pit stops. Johnson led at the lap-362 restart, ahead of Earnhardt and Hamlin. The 21st caution came out two laps later when Kurt Busch tried to pass Riggs, and the drivers made contact exiting turn four.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Kurt Busch was spun while crossing the start-finish line and hit the inside wall, requiring a pit stop for repairs. Johnson maintained his lead at the lap-372 restart and was followed by Earnhardt, Hamlin, Kurt Busch, and Gordon (who made a pit stop for an air-pressure adjustment during the caution). Hamlin passed Earnhardt for second place eight laps later, and held off the latter on lap 381. The 13th caution was prompted on lap 400 when Bobby Labonte made contact with the rear of Jamie McMurray's car in turn two, sending him spinning sideways but avoiding the wall. Most of the leaders, including Johnson, made pit stops. Johnson adjusted his air pressure, and Hamlin's pit crew removed a front fender.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Labonte led on the lap-407 restart, followed by Mears and Gordon. Elliott Sadler went to his garage with motor problems on lap 411. By lap 438, Johnson had moved into second position. Seven laps later, he passed Labonte, for the lead, and Hamlin passed Gordon for fourth a lap later. Lap 448 saw the 14th caution; Ragan spun sideways at on the inside at turn four, and Kyle Busch collided with the outside wall to avoid him, sustaining minor damage to his car's right side. On that lap, Kyle Busch entered pit road for repairs.


2006 Subway 500, Race
The race restarted on lap 454, with Johnson leading Labonte and Hamlin. On the 460th lap, Gilliand caused Mears to spin sideways coming out of turn four, prompting the 15th caution; Johnson maintained his lead at the restart on lap 468. On lap 469, Bowyer triggered the 16th caution after spinning sideways at turn three. Four laps later, Martin drove to pit road for engine troubleshooting.


2006 Subway 500, Race
The race restarted on lap 477, when a seventeenth caution was issued because Earnhardt made contact with Kahne after trying to pass him on the inside at turn three and spun. Martin again went to pit road because of water problems, and Johnson maintained the lead at the restart on lap 483. On lap 485, Hamlin passed Labonte for second place. Five laps later, Wallace spun coming out of turn two after being hit by McMurray, prompting the race's final caution; he was able to continue. Johnson remained the leader at the lap-495 restart, with Hamlin close behind.


2006 Subway 500, Race
Hamlin bumped Johnson coming out of turn two, causing Johnson to move to the outside lane, and went to the inside lane to draw alongside him on the backstretch. They remained side by side for one lap when Johnson drew ahead of Hamlin at turn four. He pulled away, holding the lead for the remaining six laps to win the race. Hamlin finished second, ahead of Labonte in third, Stewart in fourth and Gordon in fifth. Mears, Kahne, Green, Harvick, and Petty rounded out the top ten finishers.


2006 Subway 500, Race
The race had a total of 18 cautions and 16 lead changes by five drivers. Johnson led seven times for a total of 245 laps, more than any other competitor. The win was the 23rd of Johnson's Cup Career and the last of five victories he posted in the 2006 season.


2006 Subway 500, Race, Post-race comments
Johnson appeared in Victory Lane after his victory lap to celebrate his fifth win of the season in front of the crowd; the win earned him $191,886. He was pleased with the result, saying he was happy to have taken the victory: "We've been running up front the last three of four races and haven't been able to close the deal. Today we did." Hamlin was disappointed with his finish as he felt he had a faster car after the race's final restart and admitted Johnson would not be beaten: "It was my only shot to get around him.


2006 Subway 500, Race, Post-race comments
I wasn't going to get under him completely. There was no way possible. I was doing the best I could to win the race." He later admitted he made contact with Johnson and that it was on purpose. Labonte said about his third-place finish, "I feel like I stole something." Jeff Burton was philosophical about his retirement from the race: "These things happen. Everybody has had an issue in this Chase, and we had ours today. This thing is not over for us by any means." Kenseth, who finished eleventh, was optimistic about his chances of winning the Drivers' Championship: "It's great to be the leader, but we've got to start running good, It's still pretty wide open. It's going to be pretty exciting, I think, coming down to the last race."


2006 Subway 500, Race, Post-race comments
Earnhardt admitted he was to blame for the collision with Kahne on lap 476. He said he was anxious to pass him and was underneath him when he made the maneuver, but his rear brakes locked, which caused him to spin. Kahne thought Earnhardt was driving too hard in turn three: "I guess I need to get somebody on [the radio] to preach to me to have more patience because I definitely can't take control of myself."


2006 Subway 500, Race, Post-race comments
After retiring from the race, Schrader said of his collision with Ragan, "I moved him earlier because you can't run like that two laps down. Got back around him and he paid me back for moving him, but he was two laps down." Ragan denied intentionally wrecking Schrader, saying he over-drove his car going into the first corner and his brakes locked. Stewart saw Ragan's lap-447 spin (which caused Kyle Busch to collide with the wall) and believed NASCAR should have disqualified Ragan from the race.


2006 Subway 500, Race, Post-race comments
According to Mears, who was involved in an incident with Newman on the 64th lap, "[Newman] was kind of holding everyone up. When I got up to him, he tried to park me in the center of the corner. [ He] just got on the brakes and I got into the back of him. Got him a little loose. He didn't wreck, but he came around the next lap and wrecked me."


2006 Subway 500, Race, Post-race comments
Although Mears was also angry about the incident with Gilliland 396 laps later, he praised his car's handling and said it was the first time a car had worked in his favor. Three days after the race, NASCAR announced that Waltrip-Jasper Racing crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr. was fined $5,000 for violating four NASCAR rules. The fines were for "actions detrimental to stock car racing" car, car parts, components and/or equipment used in the race that was not compliant to NASCAR rules, and entering the car-servicing area without a fire-resistant uniform or helmet.


2006 Subway 500, Race, Post-race comments
The result left Kenseth leading the Drivers' Championship with 5,848 points, ahead of Harvick with 5,812. Johnson moved into third with 5,807, six points ahead of Hamlin. After the race, Jeff Burton, who fell to fifth, was still upbeat about his championship chances: "We have as good a shot as anybody. We've run well enough to win the championship; we just got to put the next four races together." Earnhardt, Martin, Kahne, Gordon, and Kyle Busch rounded out the top ten. In the Manufacturers' Championship, Chevrolet maintained the lead with 246 points. Dodge remained in second with 185, eight points ahead of Ford. The race took 3 hours and 44 minutes to complete, and the margin of victory was 0.544 seconds.


2006 Subway Fresh 500
The 2006 Subway Fresh 500, the eighth race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season, was held at Phoenix International Raceway on April 22, 2006. Kyle Busch won the pole.


2006 Subway Fresh 500, Race results
Failed to qualify: Chad Chaffin (#34), Mike Garvey (#51), Chad Blount (#92), Kevin Lepage (#61), Morgan Shepherd (#89), Steve Portenga (#52)


2006 Sugar Bowl
The 2006 Nokia Sugar Bowl was played on January 2, 2006, as part of the Bowl Championship Series. This 72nd edition of the Sugar Bowl featured the West Virginia Mountaineers, champions of the Big East, and the Southeastern Conference Champion Georgia Bulldogs. West Virginia's upset victory bolstered the Big East's profile in the wake of losing three members to the ACC, and likely preserved the conference's automatic inclusion in the BCS. The game was played in Atlanta, Georgia, as its traditional site, the Louisiana Superdome, was unfit for use in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.


2006 Sugar Bowl
The freshmen-led West Virginia team stunned Georgia—playing in what amounted to a home game in the Georgia Dome—by opening a 21–0 lead by the end of the first quarter. While West Virginia pushed the lead to 28–0 a minute into the second quarter, Georgia rallied to close the gap to 31–21 at halftime, behind quarterback D.J. Shockley. The 52 first-half points were a record for a single half in a BCS game.


2006 Sugar Bowl
In the third quarter, Georgia cut the lead to 31–28 following a 68-yard scoring drive.


2006 Sugar Bowl
Freshman quarterback Pat White led West Virginia on a 9-play, 95-yard drive to extend its lead to 38–28 with 8:32 remaining in the game. Georgia responded with a 90-yard drive of its own to cut the lead to 38–35 with 5:13 left.