Chicago Blackhawks Close out Tampa Bay Lightning to Win Stanley Cup

Defenseman Duncan Keith scored at 17:13 of the second period to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 1-0 lead in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Chicago on June 15th, and although Patrick Kane scored in the third period, Keith’s goal was the only one the Blackhawks needed as Chicago beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 to win the Finals 4 games to 2. It was Chicago’s third Stanley Cup in the last six seasons.

It was a series that featured excellent defense and goaltending by both teams. Emphasizing this point was the selection of Keith as the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff’s Most Valuable Player. The first five games were all decided by one goal, and the Hawk’s 2-0 lead in Game 6 was the only two goal lead by either team in the series. That mysterious injury that caused Lightning goalie Ben Bishop to miss Game 4 was a torn groin he suffered in Game 2. In spite of that painful injury, Bishop played the final two games, and performed well. He needed some offensive support, but the Chicago defense and goalie Corey Crawford shut down the Lightning, the team that scored the most goals in the regular NHL season.

https://youtu.be/uaY_N8JA7fw

While it was a special night for all the Blackhawks, it was especially so for veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen. The 40 year old from Finland had joined the Blackhawks this season after 16 stellar years with Nashville and Philadelphia, and had never been on a Stanley Cup champion. This was to be his last year and last shot at a Cup. With limited playing time, Timonen embraced the role of mentor to the younger Hawks like fellow Finn Teuvo Teravainen. After the Stanley Cup is presented to the winning team, each player has the opportunity to hold it high and skate around the ice. Team captain Jonathan Toews skated first. In a show of respect, he then handed it to Timonen. “I leave this game as a Stanley Cup champion,” said Timonen. “And I can’t ask for anything more than that.”