Penguins win Stanley Cup for third time

Pittsburgh defeat detroit red wings in the final at joe louis arena

Jueves, 17 de Diciembre de 2009

CBC Sports
Even without the services of captain Sidney Crosby for more than half the contest, the Pittsburgh Penguins stood tall in winning the Stanley Cup for the third time in franchise history in 2009.
Centre Max Talbot scored both goals, sending the Penguins to a 2-1 win over the defending champion Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 at Joe Louis Arena. Pittsburgh secured the franchise's first championship since the Mario Lemieux-led Penguins of 1991 and 1992.
The Penguins also become the first road team since the 1971 Montreal Canadiens to begin a Stanley Cup final 0-2 yet still win it all in the seventh and deciding game away from home.
"It's a dream come true," said Crosby, who took a congratulatory call from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper following the win. "It's everything you imagined and more. I would have loved to do it in four, it would have been a lot easier on the nerves. It was so hard watching the clock tick down for that whole third period.
"But everything it took to win, we did it. Blocking shots, great goaltending, different guys stepping up. I mean, we did exactly everything it takes to win."
While Talbot provided all the offence the Penguins would need, goaltender Marc-André Fleury preserved the win with some heroics in the final seconds of the game. Fleury made 23 saves on the night none bigger than the one he made in the dying seconds of the game with Pittsburgh clinging to a one-goal lead.
"Just to win that thing [the Stanley Cup] is a dream and that's all that matters," an elated Fleury said.
An NHL championship didn't seem possible for Fleury and the Penguins after they were shut out 5-0 in Game 5.
Fleury was pulled in that game after a shaky performance, appearing to be shell-shocked in watching the Wings take a 3-2 series lead.
But the former 2003 No. 1 overall pick responded in a big way. First, he robbed Dan Cleary in Game 6 on the breakaway with less that two minutes remaining to secure a 2-1 victory.
Fleury saved his best performance for the final night, making several key stops. The most lasting image came in the final frantic seconds of the third period.
With the Penguins on the cusp of clinching the Cup, Fleury made a diving stop to the right of Pittsburgh's net off the stick of Detroit defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom.
"We've been friends forever and it's just a great relationship," said Penguins centre Max Talbot, who scored both Pittsburgh goals. "I told him when I got the first goal, I told him, 'I got the game winner, you gotta keep it for me.' And he did it."
Fleury even had a sense of humour regarding the shot Detroit defenceman Niklas Kronwall took with more than two minutes remaining that rang off the crossbar.
"It [the crossbar] made a big save for me and I just said 'Thank you,'" said Fleury, who rubbed the iron after dodging a key bullet.
Fleury made the initial save, but the rebound went right to Detroit defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom. Criticized for his play during the three previous games at Joe Louis Arena, Fleury dove to his right to block the Lidstrom shot with his arm.
"Flower [Fleury] made some great saves," said Talbot. "Everybody sacrificed their body. That's how you win championships."
Centre Evgeni Malkin earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after notching 36 points. Malkin, registering an assist on the first Talbot goal, is the first Russian-born player to win the award.
"Big day in my life," Malkin told said while his teammates carried the Cup around the ice. "My friends are happy, I'm happy."

Comments

Loading..
Use Policies

To participate with your comments you must belong to the community.