04/24/24
June 09, 2010
Blackhawks defeat Flyers 4 to 3, win Lord Stanley's Cup: They did it in overtime on a goal from Patrick Kane, ending a 49 year hockey championship drought in Chicago. Oh, and the Hossa curse is broken as well, as Hossa had played on the losing teams in the last two years playoff finals with Pittsburgh and Detroit.
Yeah, the refs were out of position and the way it ended was such a delayed reaction, going to video review. Jeremy Roenick is getting emotional in the postgame about not winning a cup for the Blackhawks and now Milbury is consoling him. Surreal.
posted by insomnyuk at 11:28 PM on June 09, 2010
Good for them. I felt a little bad about how anti-climactic the last goal seemed since nobody but Kane seemed to figure out it was in (I wonder if the local radio call caught it better than the TV call did), but aside from that, it was an excellent game, series and overall playoff season.
posted by TheQatarian at 11:46 PM on June 09, 2010
The funniest part was watching Kane's teammates come off the bench to "celebrate" with the look of "Yeah! We...uh...won. I think. Maybe. Woo..hoo?"
Pretty good year for Mr. Toews. Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe trophies, and Olympic gold medal and Olympic tournament MVP.
He also becomes the youngest Triple Gold winner (Olympic championship, World Championship, Stanley Cup) and Big Four (Junior Championship).
posted by grum@work at 12:45 AM on June 10, 2010
Hats off to the Hawks, they had a hell of a playoffs. Not trying to take anything away from Toews but Niemi was the difference maker in the finals. He may have let up a softie here and there but he didn't get as rattled as Leighton and was able to bounce right back.
On a complete side note, why is Toews pronounced Taves?
posted by HATER 187 at 12:58 AM on June 10, 2010
On a complete side note, why is Toews pronounced Taves?
Same reason Neckar is pronounced Netscash?
posted by MeatSaber at 01:34 AM on June 10, 2010
On a complete side note, why is Toews pronounced Taves?
Same reason Neckar is pronounced Netscash?
And Byfuglien is pronounced Bufflin?
posted by boredom_08 at 01:49 AM on June 10, 2010
Byfuglien gets this years commemorative Cholmondeley phonetic recognition award.
The other day, my kids were in math class and told the teacher they were tired of learning about the Pithin Theorem.
The teacher said: "Sorry, it's the Pythagorean Theorem".
The kids said: "No, it's not. It's the Pithin Theorem".
The teacher asked: "Who told you that?"
The kids replied: "Mr. Byfuglien"
posted by beaverboard at 06:35 AM on June 10, 2010
That was a wild finish, and congrats to the Hawks for getting it done! I was psyched when the Flyers tied it late and then the game eventually went to overtime. Having the chance to have the Cup awarded on a golden goal is one of the most exciting things in sports (even if this particular one was flukily anti-climactic).
As an aside, I don't recall ever hearing so much booing during a trophy presentation. There was no controversy or reason to boo--just a better team who won the series. They could hardly even calm themselves to congratulate their own team at the appropriate time. Seriously, Philadelphia, get over yourselves.
posted by bender at 08:15 AM on June 10, 2010
so much booing
It is just Philly living up to its reputation as a, let's say, raucous place for sports.
posted by lampshade at 08:27 AM on June 10, 2010
There's a story behind the pronunciation of Byfuglien's name.
Aside from that, I felt a little bad for the TV announcers. An OT goal to win the Stanley Cup is generally a pretty exciting thing, but the call ended up being so awkward because nobody but Kane seemed to know the puck was in. Did the radio announcers have any idea, I wonder, or was their call just as awkward?
posted by TheQatarian at 08:43 AM on June 10, 2010
As an aside, I don't recall ever hearing so much booing during a trophy presentation.
There was the same amount of booing during the trophy presentation last year in Detroit. Like grum said, everyone boos Bettman.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:53 AM on June 10, 2010
Did the radio announcers have any idea, I wonder, or was their call just as awkward?
I heard the Philly radio verson. It was just as awkward.
posted by fabulon7 at 09:18 AM on June 10, 2010
Not trying to take anything away from Toews but Niemi was the difference maker in the finals.
I disagree. Niemi was far from stellar in the finals. With shots on goal of 41-24 (W), 27-28 (W), 34-31 (L), 27-32 (L), 26-33 (W) and 32-32 (W), he had one strong game the entire series with a save percentage below .900 in those other games. If anything, I'd argue the Blackhawks won the finals in spite of his goaltending. When they score 4, 7, 2, and 6 goals in their wins, those are some pretty strong scoring tallies except for one game. Even in their losses, they scored 3 goals which have been known to win a number of games.
posted by jmd82 at 09:34 AM on June 10, 2010
Niemi was far from stellar in the finals.
I would have to agree with that. At no point did I feel Chicago had comfortable leads. Everytime it seemed like the beginikng of a blowout, Philly came right back. I think he made the games alot more interesting then they needed to be.
posted by Debo270 at 10:12 AM on June 10, 2010
Thanks all for the phonetics lessons. It sure helps to sound not so out of touch with the hoopla. Especially here in the Chicago area.
posted by opel70 at 10:34 AM on June 10, 2010
I see your point about Niemi's numbers but it just seemed like when Chicago needed a big stop he came up whereas Leighton was so easily flustered he basically cost Philly the series.
posted by HATER 187 at 10:38 AM on June 10, 2010
Actually, everyone boos Bettman.
Everyone.
True, even his mother booed in the delivery room :)
Toews, Asham, Richards, and Byfuglien all grew up either in Winnipeg or within a 150 mile radius. Having 4 of the best players in the Stanley Cup playoffs is clearly proof Winnipeg remains a world class Hockey town regardless of how hard Bettman attempts to spin it otherwise.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:01 AM on June 10, 2010
I see your point about Niemi's numbers but it just seemed like when Chicago needed a big stop he came up whereas Leighton was so easily flustered he basically cost Philly the series.
Disagree.
Leighton's numbers were much better than Niemi's. Hawks offensive talent is far superior to Phillys. If Leighton coughed up as many rebounds as Niemi did the series would have been over in 4. Leighton's best defenceman was -5 in a game he was pulled - do you think Niemi would have won a game where Keith was -5?
posted by cixelsyd at 11:13 AM on June 10, 2010
Everytime it seemed like the beginikng of a blowout, Philly came right back.
In game one Niemi shut down Philly in the third period. Philly owned the ice but Niemi hung tough (despite shite play earlier in the game) If Leighton came up with one or two big stops early on in game 1 Philly would have taken that game. Niemi came up big in the latter half of the third and Chicago won. Game two Niemi stops 15 shots in the third period to hang onto a one goal lead and take a 2-0 lead.
I am not saying Toews doesn't deserve the Conn Smyth I just think Niemi out played Leighton by make critical saves when he needed to as opposed to Leighton who got chased from the net twice in the series.
posted by HATER 187 at 12:13 PM on June 10, 2010
Side note: the attempt at a playoff beard by Toews was pretty funny. At least he tried, but it looked like Civil War era sideburns. Not beard material at all.
posted by insomnyuk at 12:48 PM on June 10, 2010
I'm happy for the fans in Chicago and the Wirtz family. Rocky seems to have undone a lot, if not all, of the damage dear old dad inflicted on the long-suffering fans. As a Wings fan, I know the feeling of seeing your team get a 40+ year old monkey off its back.
And while I'll congratulate the players, I refuse to be happy for them. They're Blackhawks...fuck'em...
As for booing Bettman, it's like that smattering of applause when the home team clears the puck on a non-critical PK, or groaning at a face-off placement. It's just what hockey fans do...
posted by MeatSaber at 12:58 PM on June 10, 2010
Want a good idea what it's like to be a Toronto Maple Leaf fan?
Check out the Toronto Sun front page.
Hopefully that doesn't get switched out.
posted by grum@work at 01:37 PM on June 10, 2010
grum: as a Leafs fan, that is a painful reminder that a teacher's union (the OTU) owns the Leafs, i.e. the most risk-averse ownership group possible, and we won't see any cap pushing blockbuster deals for the Maple Leafs anytime soon, or ever. Every NHL team should be sold to pensioners to make it fair. I want to cry.
posted by insomnyuk at 02:08 PM on June 10, 2010
Somehow I knew Patrick Kane would end up with the silver.
I wonder if he remembered to tip the Cup when drinking from it after the game ?
posted by tommybiden at 02:18 PM on June 10, 2010
that is a painful reminder that a teacher's union (the OTU) owns the Leafs
Aha, That explains it! The Leafs have to lose over and over again until they get it right.
Congrats to the Blackhawks. I picked them in the SpoFi pool, and also predicted Toews for MVP. Of course, the only reason I picked Toews was because I couldn't spell Byfflehen Buffallogonn what's-his-name.
posted by Howard_T at 02:27 PM on June 10, 2010
Look at grum's pic, then this one...
Anyone know when they changed the base on the Cup, or are these 2 different Cups?
posted by MeatSaber at 02:30 PM on June 10, 2010
Anyone know when they changed the base on the Cup, or are these 2 different Cups?
I can't see your pic, Meat, but the following is from the Stanley Cup Wiki page:
Original, authenticated, and replica versions:
There are actually three Stanley Cups: the original bowl, the authenticated Cup, and the replica at the Hall of Fame. The original bowl purchased by Lord Stanley, and physically awarded to the champion for the first 71 years of competition, is currently displayed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario.
The authenticated version or "Presentation Cup" was created in 1963 by Montreal silversmith Carl Petersen. It is authenticated by the seal of the Hockey Hall of Fame on the bottom, which can be seen when winning players lift the Cup over their heads, and it is the one currently awarded to the champions of the playoffs and used for promotions.[41] This version was made in secret, and its production was only revealed three years later.
The replica trophy, called the Replica Cup, was created in 1993 by Montreal silversmith Louise St. Jacques to be used as a stand-in at the Hockey Hall of Fame whenever the Presentation Cup is not available for display.
There are very few differences between the authenticated version and the replica version. The quickest way to determine if it is the authenticated version is to check the 1984 Stanley Cup winning Edmonton Oilers. The authenticated version has Basil Pocklington's name with X's over it. The replica version does not have his name at all.
posted by tommybiden at 02:55 PM on June 10, 2010
I've also seen pics from last year with the HHOF logo on the bottom, and then pics from 2008 with the logo in the Kocur pic...all are celebration pics on the ice. I'm confused...
posted by MeatSaber at 03:08 PM on June 10, 2010
Never mind...carry on...
posted by MeatSaber at 03:19 PM on June 10, 2010
After the Red Wings won two years ago, Brian Rafalski had a big team party at his summer home in Waupaca, WI near my in-laws house. After the party, he warned Chris Chelios, the next to have the cup, to not drink from it as is customary, because some of the boys did things in it. When I saw the Hawks drink from it last night, I thought, "I hope that thing has been sterilized.'
posted by Shotput at 04:01 PM on June 10, 2010
YEAH! Awesome... A Spofite predicted as much Sept. 05 2009 and defended said pick later in the thread. Like I said than "These aren't your Daddy's BlackHawks" Sweet...
posted by skydivedad at 06:09 PM on June 10, 2010
That's a hell of a call, Skydivedad. I thought at the time you were high.
posted by rcade at 06:14 PM on June 10, 2010
The authenticated version has Basil Pocklington's name with X's over it. The replica version does not have his name at all.
I must ask. Why is Basil Pocklington's name crossed out on the cup?
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 09:34 PM on June 10, 2010
I must ask. Why is Basil Pocklington's name crossed out on the cup?
Again, from Wiki:
After the Edmonton Oilers won their first Stanley Cup in 1983-84, Peter Pocklington included his father, Basil Pocklington, on the list of people and players who were to have their names engraved on the trophy. The NHL did not check the validity of the names on the list, and the Cup was engraved as usual. After the mistake was discovered, NHL executives, via the Hockey Hall of Fame, had the engraver strike out the name of the senior Pocklington by engraving a series of Xs over his name. Of the two dozen engraving errors that appear on the Stanley Cup all but one are spelling errors. Basil Pocklington is the only name that is covered. When the junior Pocklington was confronted with the issue, he protested that it was the engraver's fault, not his, that the engraver had mixed up the people who were actually technical members of the team (Basil was not one of them) with a list of individuals who were to receive miniature replica Cups (Basil was one of them). After this error, the NHL and Hockey Hall of Fame adopted policies to confirm the roster and the relation of the people on the engraving list to the championship team.
posted by tommybiden at 09:48 PM on June 10, 2010
Did the radio announcers have any idea, I wonder, or was their call just as awkward?
I later heard the Murray/Wiedeman call. Wiedeman knew it right away and went completely apeshit. One of the best calls I have ever heard. It helps that I'm a Hawks fan, though.
posted by willthrill72 at 10:41 PM on June 10, 2010
This is one awesome thread!
posted by Spitztengle at 12:28 AM on June 11, 2010
As befitting a fairly young team, the Hawks have had the Cup all over the city in the past 24 hours and are certainly enjoying their time with it. Last night, coming back from dinner, there was a big commotion and a ton of police outside of the bar down the street from my house; turns out the Cup was there with some contingent of Hawks players.
posted by holden at 08:17 AM on June 11, 2010
Strangest ending to a championship I've ever seen.