hockeyfan1
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Chicago 2 Tampa Bay 0 Chicago wins series 4 games to 0.
Chicago Blackhawks 2015 Stanley Cup champions! Congrats to them! This is Chicago's third Cup in six years. Add to the mix Duncan Keith's Conn Smythe Trophy win (as playoff MVP), an impressive repertoire that not only includes this,but also two Norris Trophies, and two golds with Team Canada. A list that can also include the description as being one of the league's best and most experienced d-men.
That can transcend to the 'Hawks as well. It takes total team effort to win, let alone championships. Chicago's experience, savvyness,and bench depth shone through. True that every game was a close one here in this Cup Final, which brings us to the...
...Tampa Bay Lightning. A tough loss and a crushing blow no doubt, for this young team that took the 'Hawks to their limit. One wonders if several of their players who played had been one hundred percent -- goaltender Bishop with a groin tear, Johnson with a broken wrist and also Kutcherov (undisclosed injury) --if the outcome would have been slightly different. Also, what of Steven Stamkos? He failed to rise to the occasion when he needed to, banging shots instead off posts and unable to beat Crawford all alone on a breakaway. Many critics may want to give Chicago credit for keeping the Lightning plays rushed and 'off balance'.
Will Chicago repeat again soon? Given the salary cap issues, will they keep their core and depth players? What with GM Stan Bowman's genes (the son of legendary coach Scotty Bowman), magic may very well be hatched again. Afterall, many didn't expect Chicago to win it all again, but the 'Hawks proved that their experience, savvyness, and depth trumped youth, speed, and what have you.
As for Tampa Bay, they're a young, fast, offensively-oriented team that was fun to watch. Greatness will await them.
Congrats to both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning on a thrilling Stanley Cup Final!
For the complete story: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/blackhawks-crowned-2015-stanley-cup-champions/
Chicago Blackhawks 2015 Stanley Cup champions! Congrats to them! This is Chicago's third Cup in six years. Add to the mix Duncan Keith's Conn Smythe Trophy win (as playoff MVP), an impressive repertoire that not only includes this,but also two Norris Trophies, and two golds with Team Canada. A list that can also include the description as being one of the league's best and most experienced d-men.
That can transcend to the 'Hawks as well. It takes total team effort to win, let alone championships. Chicago's experience, savvyness,and bench depth shone through. True that every game was a close one here in this Cup Final, which brings us to the...
...Tampa Bay Lightning. A tough loss and a crushing blow no doubt, for this young team that took the 'Hawks to their limit. One wonders if several of their players who played had been one hundred percent -- goaltender Bishop with a groin tear, Johnson with a broken wrist and also Kutcherov (undisclosed injury) --if the outcome would have been slightly different. Also, what of Steven Stamkos? He failed to rise to the occasion when he needed to, banging shots instead off posts and unable to beat Crawford all alone on a breakaway. Many critics may want to give Chicago credit for keeping the Lightning plays rushed and 'off balance'.
Will Chicago repeat again soon? Given the salary cap issues, will they keep their core and depth players? What with GM Stan Bowman's genes (the son of legendary coach Scotty Bowman), magic may very well be hatched again. Afterall, many didn't expect Chicago to win it all again, but the 'Hawks proved that their experience, savvyness, and depth trumped youth, speed, and what have you.
As for Tampa Bay, they're a young, fast, offensively-oriented team that was fun to watch. Greatness will await them.
Congrats to both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning on a thrilling Stanley Cup Final!
For the complete story: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/blackhawks-crowned-2015-stanley-cup-champions/
