Raleigh, N.C. ? The oldest player to score a goal make that two goals in the Stanley Cup finals ended the third-longest game in finals history.

Igor Larionov, 41, scored his second goal of the game 14:47 into the third overtime and the weary Detroit Red Wings, the NHL’s oldest team, outlasted the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-2, Saturday night in Game Three of the best-of-seven series.

Detroit, which forced overtime by tying it on Brett Hull’s goal with only 1:14 left in regulation, takes a 2-1 lead into Game Four on Monday night.

No other details were available at presstime, the game ending about 12:20 this morning.

Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford has bit his lip since the former Hartford Whalers moved south five seasons ago.

He watched as outsiders poked fun at the area as a poor hockey market and a mistake by the NHL. But now, the Stanley Cup finals are providing the ultimate free advertising for the much-maligned franchise.

“We’ve known about this team for a long time, but now with this kind of exposure and interest in the team it expands a long way out of our market,” Rutherford said.

Of course, the Mayberry and moonshine references surfaced again in Detroit newspapers as Carolina headed into the Cup finals against the established Hockeytown of Detroit. But fans from New Jersey, Montreal and Toronto the three teams Carolina beat in the Eastern Conference to reach the finals realized the criticisms of the area and the team were off base.

“It was funny at first,” Carolina coach Paul Maurice said. “But it’s probably more embarrassing now for the people who are saying it. You just need to spend a little time in Raleigh what a fabulous place to live.”

The rest of the nation has seen the Carolina franchise grow right before its eyes, considering the club had just two TV games on ESPN this season and has been well off hockey’s radar screen for years.

Most were shocked by the rabid fan base and the enthusiasm for hockey in the South.

When Rutherford was asked if he would be surprised to see someone in California or Alaska wearing a Hurricanes jersey, he said: “I don’t think there are any left, are there?”

Rutherford and owner Pete Karmanos believe playing established franchises in the postseason was a bonus.

“This builds credibility. They have to come to see our building, they have to come and see the market and they get to see our team,” Rutherford said.”

Red Wings 3, Hurricanes 2

Detroit 0 1 1 0 0 1 3

Carolina 1 0 1 0 0 0 2

First Period1, Carolina, Vasicek 3 (Gelinas, Wesley), 14:49. PenaltiesBrind’Amour, Car (holding stick), 1:45; Hedican, Car (boarding), 3:42; O’Neill, Car (boarding), 11:34; Lidstrom, Det (tripping), 12:30; Devereaux, Det (slashing), 19:15.

Second Period2, Detroit, Larionov 3 (Hull), 5:33. PenaltiesMaltby, Det (unsportsmanlike conduct), 5:13; Ward, Car (unsportsmanlike conduct), 5:13; Chelios, Det (interference), 8:12; Fedorov, Det (holding), 19:44; Hill, Car (holding), 19:44.

Third Period3, Carolina, O’Neill 5 (Francis), 7:34. 4, Detroit, Hull 9 (Lidstrom, Fedorov), 18:46. PenaltiesVasicek, Car (roughing), 5:25; Shanahan, Det (roughing), 5:25; Duchesne, Det (holding), 9:58; Hill, Car (roughing), 19:01; Shanahan, Det (roughing), 19:01.

First OvertimeNone. PenaltiesDuchesne, Det (roughing), 18:23; Svoboda, Car (roughing), 18:23.

Second OvertimeNone. PenaltiesCole, Car (holding stick), 8:35; Olausson, Det (holding), 13:25.

Third Overtime5, Detroit, Larionov 4, 14:47. PenaltiesNone. Shots on goalDetroit 6-7-16-11-6-652. Carolina 8-6-7-5-8-943. Power-play OpportunitiesDetroit 0 of 4; Carolina 0 of 5.

GoaliesDetroit, Hasek 14-7 (43 shots-41 saves). Carolina, Irbe 10-6 (52-49). A18,982 (18,730).