Pens stun Wings, win Cup in Detroit
- Friday, June 12, 2009 11:54 PM
- Written By: Josh Marks
Maxime Talbot scored both Pittsburgh Penguins' goals and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 23 shots including two critical saves as time wound down in the third period to secure a 2-1 victory over the Red Wings and spoil a chance for Detroit to win their second straight Stanley Cup, fifth in 12 seasons and 12th overall.
The Penguins became only the third team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup in Game 7 on the road and the first team since 1971.
And Pittsburgh did it without Sidney Crosby, who was injured by a hard check in the second period and missed most of the third period. Evgeni Malkin, who led the playoffs with 36 points, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP.
After the win, 43-year-old Penguins owner Mario Lemieux celebrated on the ice with 21-year-old Crosby, the youngest captain to win a Stanley Cup.
The Penguins overcame a mid-season coaching change (rookie Dan Bylsma replaced Michel Therrien) and 2-0 series deficits to both the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings on their way to the team's third title.
In other hockey news, the Hershey Bears, the Washington Capitals' top affiliate, won their 10th American Hockey League title with a 4-1 win over the Manitoba Moose, the Vancouver Canucks' top farm club, on Friday night. The Bears won the Calder Cup Finals series 4-2. Rookie goalie Michal Neuvirth made 24 saves and was selected playoffs MVP.
