The Colorado Avalanche needed six games to return to the top of the NHL by winning the legendary Stanley Cup after defeating the two-time defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in the deciding game on Sunday night at Amalie Arena, which was left speechless to see the visiting team take the championship.
The team from the city of Denver took more than two decades to win the third Stanley Cup in its history, but not before having to go through a series of painful defeats in past postseasons to become champions for the first time since the distant 2000-2001 season.
A goal and an assist for Nathan Mackinnon
The decisive game was dominated by a big star, Canadian center Nathan MacKinnon, who achieved the highest moment of an already lengthy nine-season career despite his 26 years of age, as he was involved in both of his team’s goals, one scored by himself and the other participating with an assist.
A team that based its dominance on its great speed on the ice capped off a wonderful season in which it was the second-best team with a 56-19-7 record for a total of 119 points, trailing only the Florida Panthers‘ 122.
“It’s just been building over time,” defenseman Cale Makar said. “I’ve been here only three years. A couple of tough exits in the playoffs. It was just all leading up to this.”
Tampa Bay came up just short of a third championshid in a row
Makar was chosen as the MVP of the playoffs in which Colorado defeated the Nashville Predators 4-0 in the first round, the St. Louis Blues 4-2 in the second round, the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 in the Western Conference Finals and finally the Lighning 4-2.
Tampa Bay had been crowned the past two years and failed to become the first three-time in a row NHL champion since the New York Islanders won four in a row from 1980 to 1983.
Marca
