The Cup Belongs to Chicago

Chicago Blackhawks fans have waited 49 years for their team to win the Stanley Cup. So why not make them have to sit through an extra period of hockey with them one win away from the cup.


Fortunately for them the wait would not be long as Patrick Kane scored at 4:06 of overtime to give Chicago a 4-3 victory over Philadelphia to clinch their 1st Stanley Cup since 1961.


Since Joel Quennville broke up his top line of Kane, Toews & Dustin Byfuglien in the last five minutes of game four Chicago has been in control of the series. They dominated the Flyers in game five and started out strong in game six, out-shooting Philadelphia 17-7 in the 1st period.


Chicago got on the board first on the power play. Chris Pronger took a penalty for high sticking and with him in the penalty box there was no one to contain Byfuglien in front of the net. He tipped in shot from Toews to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.


Philly would answer late in the period on a power play goal of their own. Brent Sopel went to the penalty box for interference and Scott Hartnell was able to backhand a shot past Antti Niemi to tie the game at 1-1.


Philadelphia took their first lead of the game at the eight minute mark of the 2nd period. Duncan Keith lost his balance and fell down at the blue line allowing a two on one for the Flyers. Danny Briere took a pass from Villie Leino and put it top shelf past Niemi for his twelfth goal of the playoffs to give Philly a 2-1 lead.


At that point momentum was with the Flyers and when Marian Hossa was called for a questionable goalie interference call (I don't understand how you call Hossa for goalie interference when the defenseman is pushing him into the goalie.) the Flyers looked ready to take full control of this game.


However it was Chicago who got the goal to tie the game. Patrick Sharp took a pass from the slot and fired it past Michael Leighton tying the game at 2-2. 

Chicago retook the lead at 17:43 of the 2nd. Niklas Hjalmarsson fired a shot from the point and Andrew Ladd was able to get a piece of it, tipping it past Leighton, giving Chicago a 3-2 lead after two periods.


Chicago controlled play for most of the 3rd period and where looking ready to win their first Stanley Cup. However the story this post-season for Philly has been their resiliency. That would come through once again with four minutes to play in the game when Scott Hartnell tipped another shot past Niemi to tie the game.


In overtime Philly would control play at the start, challenging Niemi on a couple shots. Chicago then was able to move the puck up the ice with Brian Campbell getting the puck to Kane. Kane was able to use his speed to get past the defenseman and fire the puck on net where it went underneath Leighton's pad and into the net. 

The Puck got stuck in the back of the net and the goal light did not come on right away. Kane & the Blackhawks started celebrating before anyone knew what happened. The goal was reviewed and when it  was confirmed the Chicago Blackhawks stood alone as Stanley Cup Champions.


Jonathan Toews was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for the 2010 post-season. He was the favorite to win the award going into the series and while he didn't score a goal he did have a couple assists and was one of the best two way players on the ice.


After accepting the award, Toews returned to the podium to accept the Stanley Cup from Gary Bettman. After skating around with the cup he then presented it to Marian Hossa who finally won it in his third try. After that all the players took their turn skating with the cup and the celebration was on.


So the 2010 post-season comes to an end with Chicago winning the cup. As Chicago was being awarded the cup my thoughts were with two people. Dave Anton, who I work with at WCCO. He is the biggest Blackhawks fan I know and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. This win means more to him than anyone else I know. He deserves it.


The other person I thought of was Kris Shaban, one of my good friends, who is a big fan of all the Chicago teams. (except the White Sox, he's a Cubs fan) He's not a huge hockey fan but he did follow the Blackhawks through their cup run and we were able to watch game five together. He found himself enjoying the game more than he thought he would. This title won't mean as much to him as the 85 Super Bowl win by the Bears or the six titles from the Bulls but this one he will be able to celebrate.


As I wrap up here, everyone who knows me knew where I stood in this series. Normally a Red Wings fan would not cheer for Chicago but the Blackhawks have never bothered me. Probably because they have rarely been good when the Wings have been good. Because of that a natural hatred never formed with me.


Instead that hatred has been with the Philadelphia Flyers, most of it building up during the Eric Lindros era. I'm so happy Chicago was able to eliminate them that right as the celebration was going on I was on NHL.com ordering a Jonathan Toews jersey & a Blackhawks t-shirt. After all, I figured it was the best way I could say thank you to Chicago.


That will do it for now. I have one more column that I need to write and I hope to have that done later tonight. We do need to thank the losing team for playing. Until then, thank you for reading.