The Colorado Avalanche Win The Stanley Cup

Last night in Tampa, the Colorado Avalanche got the tying goal from Nathan MacKinnon and the go ahead to stay/last goal and most of all Stanley Cup winning goal from Arturri Lehkonen in a (2-1), game 6 win that gave the ‘Lanche their first title since 2001.

Darcy Kuemper stopped 22 of 23 shots (the great Steven Stamkos “opened” for the Lightning, still on a great run having won 2 titles, made 4 final rounds and 7 semis in a twelve year period (2011-2022), for the Avalanche, who are now (3-0) in final round play. (Only the Bulls (6-0) have a better final round mark and they last made a final in 1998).

It is the first time both the NBA and NHL final rounds ended with game 6 title clinchers won by the road team in 74 possibilities (1947-2022 with no NHL season in 2005 and only antiseptic, “bubble play” in 2020, when I believe, “technical” road teams the Lakers and Lightning secured titles with game 6 wins).

Colorado went (16-4) in the ‘offs, (9-1) on the road, clinching all 4 series there. Cale Makar won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The Avalanche, (logo above) nee the Quebec Nordiques, join the Baltimore Orioles nee St. Louis Browns (their last crown was in same calendar 1983) and New Jersey Devils (originally the Kansas City Scouts, but coincidentally their last pre Devils location was Colorado, as the Rockies) as teams/franchises that not only changed cities/locales, but also nicknames, to gain a third title. (All 3 teams/franchises have 3 crowns, having won none in its previous location).