In a frantic game 7, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Detroit Red Wings and brought the Stanley Cup back to Pittsburgh. Final score: 2-1.
Sidney Crosby had to leave the second period with a yet undisclosed injury. In the collision that took him from the ice, it appeared that he collapsed on Johan Franzen’s back.
Evgeni Malkin led the playoffs with 36 points and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP.
Crosby became the youngest captain of a championship team at 21 years old. He currently resides with Penguin co-owner and Stanley Cup champion Mario Lemieux. Interviewed after the game, Lemieux said Crosby could stay with him as long as he wished.
Detroit’s reign is over and the Pittsburgh Penguins are the Stanley Cup champions for the first time since 1992 after winning a thrilling Game 7 in the Red Wings’ house.
After falling behind 2-0 and 3-2 in the series, the Pens completed their championship comeback with a 2-1 victory in the decisive game of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday night at Joe Louis Arena.
Max Talbot scored twice in the second period to give the Pens a 2-0 lead.
Pittsburgh played much of the second period without captain Sidney Crosby, who was checked by Johan Franzen as they chased a loose puck in the neutral zone, landed on Franzen’s back and appeared to injure his midsection or left leg.
The action went down to the last second, with Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury making two dynamic saves within the last 3 seconds to seal the victory.
It did appear that Detroit fans were booing when it came time to award the Cup. Tsk. Tsk. Pittsburgh applauded Detroit last year.
Pittsburgh succeeded in slowing down Detroit, forcing the Red Wings to play chess.
It’s a miracle on ice. Pittsburgh wins the Stanley Cup.