SCF Game 6: Hawks Shock Bruins in Final 1:16, Win Stanley Cup
Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks players celebrate with goalie Corey Crawford (50) after game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. The Blackhawks won 3-2 to win the series four games to two. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
Shocking End- The Chicago Blackhawks in the final 1:16 of Game Six Monday night staged one of the most miraculous finishes in NHL history to capture the Stanley Cup for 2012-13. Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland scored goals 17 seconds apart in the game’s final 76 seconds to give the Blackhawks a come from behind 3-2 victory preventing the Boston Bruins from forcing a seventh and deciding game Wednesday night. For almost 59 minutes Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask was fairly solid in the net making 14 saves in the final period. Unfortunately for Rask and the Bruins, it was two of the last three he missed that were the one which counted the most. Corey Crawford had a good night in the net for the Blackhawks as he made 23 saves, including 11 in the first period where the Bruins had ample opportunities to get more than a one goal advantage.
Game 6 Breakdown- The Bruins got on the board first at the 7:19 mark of the first period when Chris Kelly was able get a feed pass from Tyler Sequin, then beat Crawford with a wrist shot before the Blackhawks goalie could get set. The Bruins had several more chances to build on the one goal lead but missed opportunities that loomed large as the game wore on. The most notable missed opportunity was David Krecji missing a wide open tip in chance when he received a perfect feed pass from Brad Marchant during a Bruins power play. Marchant and Krecji would team up again to try and give Boston a two goal lead early the second period. This time Krecji’s shot on goal would beat Crawford but hit the right post and bounced away.
Chicago soon would tied the when Jonathan Toews would win a faceoff in the Blackhawks defensive zone then take possession of the puck heading down ice on a breakaway. When Toews was within 15 feet of the Bruins net, he nailed a wrist shot that beat Rask five hole to tie the game just 4:24 into the middle period. The Bruins who failed on two power play opportunities in the first period would get two more man advantages in the second period, with the second one coming less than a minute after Toews had tied the game for the Blackhawks. Boston however failed to capitalize on the chances they had in this department too and it would also prove to be costly.
The Chicago Way Prevails In the End- Both teams flailed with scoring chances early on in the third period as it became apparent this had become a battle of the goalies. It appeared for a short while that the Bruins may force a Seventh and deciding game in Chicago when Milan Lucic scored with 7:19 remaining in the third period to give Boston it’s one goal lead back. In the game’s final sequences the events that unfolded can only be described as unexpected and unbelievable regardless of one’s rooting interest. With just under a minute and a half remaining and everyone standing at the Boston Garden, what would happen over the final 1:16 was something for the record books. Bryan Bickell was able to get to the front of the net, where Rask may have lot sight of him or just didn’t notice he had gotten there. Bickell was in the perfect position for Toews’ feed pass as the Blackhawks had six attackers on the ice after pulling Crawford. Bickell shoveled in the tying goal as Rask was not able to react fast enough to Toews’ pass. Bickell simply was on the doorstep of the crease and was almost unchallenged. In a net crashing sequence just seconds later, it was Bolland who was able to stuff the puck underneath Rask to give Chicago the lead with :59 seconds remaining. The Bruins in a desperate attempt to tie the game were not able to establish any puck possession in the Chicago zone. After the game had ended, Patrick Kane was named the Conn Smythe winner for being the post seasons’ MVP. Afterward, with the crowd in Boston loudly booing Commissioner Gary Bettman (which has become as much of a tradition as they Cup itself), Blackhawks Captain Toews began the tradition of parading the Cup at the rink of their conquest.
In the end, for the Chicago Blackhawks this is their second Stanley Cup Title in the last four seasons and it was well earned. Chicago did not do every thing right in the series, but they did more than enough things right in the end. For the Blackhawks, it will be a summer of rejoicing that will lead them into the fall. For the Boston Bruins, it will be a classic fall as the last 76 seconds of Game 6 will live in infamy during this summer in Beantown. The only good news for the Bruins, and 28 other teams is that October is just 98 days away with a new season to begin shortly thereafter. Both teams did their communities proud in this post season. Chicago just did Boston one better. The Lockout? That’s all in the past now.
2012-13 NHL Season- The End.
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