The Stanley Cup: Facts, History, MVPs, and the 2009 games
Tomorrow, June 4, 2009, is the fourth game in the Stanley Cup between The Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to fill you in on some history about the cup, as well as get you up to date on what has been going on in this year’s cup.
First, some cup facts:
Crafted in Sheffield, England, the Stanley Cup was purchased for ten guineas ($48.67) in 1892. Weighing thirty-five pounds and standing less than three feet in height, the cup was donated by Frederick Stanley, the 16th Earl of Derby and Lord Stanley of Victoria, shortly after it was purchased. Originally, engraved “Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup” on the outside rim with “From Stanley of Preston” on the other side, was to go to the top amateur hockey team in Canada. The Montreal Hockey Club was the first Stanley Cup champion in 1893. Lord Stanley never saw a championship match that featured his name, nor did he receive the chance to present it. He was forced to return to England on July 15, 1983, to serve as the 16th Earl of Derby. There are two seasons in which the Stanley Cup was not awarded: the 1918-19 season, because of a Spanish flu epidemic, and 2004-05, because of the NHL lockout.
The significance of the games:
Called the Cup, the Holy Grail, and Lord Stanley’s Mug, the Stanley Cup is what hockey players dream of hoisting high in the air. The championship has been the sole property of the NHL since 1926 after various merges of now defunct hockey organizations. For a sport that seemed exclusive to Canada and the northern regions of the United States, the Stanley Cup has been held by teams from California, North Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Dallas. Quite apropos considering the finals are played in the summer month of June. NHL hockey is no longer a sport exclusive to cold-weather areas, nor is its fans. It has experienced significant growth over the years, increasing the profile importance, and fan following of the Stanley Cup tournament.
This year’s Stanley Cup:
Game 1: Detroit Red Wings 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Game 2: Detroit Red Wings 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Game 3: Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Detroit Red Wings 2
Game 4: will be played tomorrow, June 4, 2009 at 8pm in Pittsburgh.
Last night, June 2nd, game three was played of the Stanley Cup. The Penguins were trailing and they seemed to be feeling defeated, but half way through the third period, Sergei Gonchar scored a power-play goal, reviving the teams confidence. Mike Babcock, coach of the Red Wings said, “This series is where it should be.”
Evgeni Malkin passed the puck to Gonchar in the center of the ice, where his slap shot flew by defenders and into the goal. Bill Guerin and Sidney Crosby screened the goalie, helping the shot by Goncharbe the success it was. This shot was Pittsburgh’s ninth consecutive shot to start the third period after being out shot 26-11 in the first two. Gonchar attributes his goal to his team’s ability to keep the play alive.
In last year’s Stanley Cup the Detroit Red Wings played the Pittsburgh Penguins and won in the sixth game. This year, some are having deja vu because the Penguins won the third game in this series and last year won the third game 3-2, after losing the first two games.
This year, the way the Red Wings were playing in game three had many people believing they may win it in just three games, but the Penguins came back strong in the third period. Malkin assisted on the first three Penguin goals, giving him 33 points in 20 games, the most in the playoffs since Joe Sakic’s 34 in 22 games for Stanley Cup champion Colorado in 1996.
At times the Red Wings were so dominant that the Penguins were able to get away with having six men on the ice for nearly a half minute without it being detected, but in the end the Pittsburgh Penguins took the win in game three.
If the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Cup this year this will be their third time as Stanley Cup champions, and if the Detroit Red Wings win the Cup this year this will be their twelfth time as Stanley Cup Champions. I can’t help, but root for the underdog in this one!
As for the finals this year I think the wings are going to win the next two games and take it in five like last year. However I hope some how the penguins can take it to game 7, force overtime and then lose on a lucky goal by a detroit defenseman so every pittsburgh fan and player feels heart broken. Those fans don't deserve a championship, before sid the kid got there they were about to move the team because no one would show up to the games. So to all you fare weather penguin fans out there, you dont deserve sidney crosby (even though he is a baby) or a championship