* From a Rahm Emanuel press release…
“On behalf of the City of Chicago, I am thrilled to congratulate hockey’s new dynasty — the Chicago Blackhawks — on winning the Stanley Cup for the third time in six years. To do it at home in front of the most dedicated fans in the world makes this title that much sweeter. I want to congratulate every member of the Blackhawks family, including Rocky Wirtz, Coach Joel Quenneville, and especially every player for their grit and determination to bring the cup back to Chicago. I want to also congratulate the Tampa Bay Lightning on a great season and a thrilling series. Be ready, Chicagoans, because in the coming days we will put on a world class celebration for a world class team.”
This is an NHL Stanley Cup open thread.
- Anon - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:14 am:
What a great end to the season. We weren’t sure this was possible when Kane went down, but this team is just pure gangster. A true dynasty!
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:17 am:
Heh: https://twitter.com/howsito/status/610771482004684800
- Concerned - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:29 am:
In 1971 I cried myself to sleep after the Game 7 loss at home. Last night I lost my voice screaming with joy! This is a special team!
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:30 am:
Especially satisfying to beat such an excellent opponent and to have Keith score the winning goal and Kane score the last goal of the season. The smile on Kane’s face after scoring that goal said it all.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:41 am:
Sweet!!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:44 am:
There is nothing like your team winning a Stanley Cup. Two times, the Blackhawks thrilled us with triumphs of winning Lord Stanley’s and bringing it back to Chicago. Those cup wins are unforgettable.
Last night, the Blackhawks skated the Cup on home ice. The Chicago Blackhawks were able to embrace and share the immediate gratification with Chicago. Each Cup is special. Watching the Chicago Blackhawks share with their fans, and all of us with here in Chicagoland, that was special, and the time passed from the last home skate of the Cup made this a bit sweeter, allowing a closure of a streak not winning it at home. The box is checked now, another “last time” is reset.
Thanks, Rocky Wirtz, Coach Q, the Hockey Organ-eye-zation, and thanks to the players. What a ride. You are a dynasty. Thanks for taking us along.
- Modest Proposal - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:50 am:
That Hawks game sure ended a lot better than Sundas Game of Thrones! We won the Cup!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:01 am:
To watch it with my soon to be 85 year old Mother was priceless. She can’t see as well as we would like but on the big screen, she saw everything.
It was a beautiful memory that I will cherish forever, Thank you to all of the Blackhawks.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:05 am:
Dynasty!
- LTSW - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:08 am:
That clip is hilarious. Bring the cup to the statehouse, maybe that will get them all together.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:08 am:
with Hedman crashing into Kaner so much, and so fast, it was easy to forget that Kane came back just into the playoffs and he’s still recovering from a significant injury. that was never given as an excuse. glad he got on the score sheet with a goal. he looked so happy and thankful. and Duncan Keith…superhuman.
one really hilarious moment from last night’s post game coverage was the rant from one of the commentators at the desk. that rant against the Lightning reveals of their injuries was epic! one of the most basic comments I’ve heard.
ready to touch the cup!!!!!
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:14 am:
Phenomenal. I watched almost every gut-wrenching minute of the last two series. The Blackhawks exemplify resilience–bend but don’t break. They withstood offensive onslaughts in their own zone by the Lightning, during much of the series. This is a great lesson for us all: bend but don’t break.
This is a great victory for a beleaguered city and state. I welcome everyone in Illinois to share our joy here in Chicago. It is for all of us (except St. Louis Blues fans).
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:17 am:
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/15/bishop-reveals-his-injury-after-such-a-close-series/
minute 1:20 is when he goes all Milbury-ish. and this clip cuts off a second rant!
- Cold - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:19 am:
Who is paying for the “world class” celebration? I thought the City was too broke to pay its pensions.
- a drop in - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:22 am:
The Cup was delayed arriving at the UC by heavy rains. Note the Cup arrival was NOT effected by Lightning.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:23 am:
He should have congratulated Tampa Bay and their fans on a great series.
As the coach said, “Act like you’ve been there.”
Especially when it is your third time in six years.
On behalf of superstitious fans everywhere, let’s stop the dynasty talk. I’d like to see a fourth soon, and wise men don’t tempt the fates.
Secondly, I think it is about time for UIUC to launch a varsity hockey program.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:25 am:
===He should have congratulated Tampa Bay and their fans on a great series.===
Umm…
“I want to also congratulate the Tampa Bay Lightning on a great season and a thrilling series”
Please read posts before commenting. Thanks.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:25 am:
Our Cups runneth over. This one is so sweet after last year’s heartbreaker to the Kings in Game 7 overtime in the Western finals.
The Hawks are just getting started. They have Hall of Famers in tneir primes with kids coming into their own.
Toews, 27. Kane, 26. Keith, 31. Seabrook, 30. Crawford, 30.
Saad, 22, is going to be a superstar. Teuvo, 20, might be faster than Kane and the sky’s the limit.
The salary cap being what it is, Sharp snd Bickell are gone. But they have the best player in Russia, 22, coming on board next year.
Old Man Hossa still has it and will probably stick. The intriguing question is Crawford. The Bowmans have been known to deal, placing a higher priority on defensemen than goalies, and they have two other goalies they like. But that’s for another day.
Toews is the best leader in team sports. Mad skills on both ends of the ice, he’s completely unselfish and makes everyone around him that much better. He’s Magic on skates.
I told my boys this is their MJ/Scottie run. It’s a stone cold groove.
- Under Further Review - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:31 am:
This one meant more. The team was bruised and beat up. If reports are true, several roster moves are in the offing and this was the last waltz for some members of the team. I felt for Timomen who is about to retire. The salary cap may require some Blackhawks to be traded. All of the players chose to go out in style.
Tampa Bay is a good team and I expect that they will be back in the playoffs again. For the future, the Blackhawks reportedly have some top prospects ready for the NHL.
Beautiful. Cherish the moment.
- Concerned - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:31 am:
Juvenal,
UIC had a DI hockey program for years and ended it in about 1994. I do think they should bring it back, though.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:47 am:
Rahm Emanuel and the Blackhawks…two winners for Chicago!
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 8:56 am:
My humblest apologies.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:01 am:
– Who is paying for the “world class celebration?”–
The hundreds of thousands who will be spending mad money at the downtown bars, restaurants, stores, taxis, Uber, etc.
Geez, Debbie Downer, want to skip the Christmas lights this year to save on the electricity? Ain’t no sin being glad you’re alive.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:03 am:
===Geez, Debbie Downer===
Seconded.
- Bedbug - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:06 am:
I love Duncan Keith but my vote for MVP would have went to Crawford.
- Concerned - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:11 am:
Bedbug,
The Conn Smythe (not”MVP”) is based on the entire Stanley Cup playoffs, not just the Finals. There is more than good reason why Keith was the unanimous choice for the Conn Smythe. Crawford might have been in third place for that award, even considering how well he played in the Finals.
- Roamin' Numeral - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:13 am:
Bring the Cup to Springfield! Go Hawks!
- Deep South - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:18 am:
Congrats to the Hawks! Great team…great fans.
Now, many of my friends who identify as Cubs fans believe they’re next.
Really?
That’s too much man.
LOL LOL LOL
- walker - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:22 am:
Winners from top to bottom.
Don’t forget Bowman in the mix. When they need to fill holes, he comes up with guys who can and do.
They can be outplayed for a bit, and still not be beaten. Natural born winners!
- Cold - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:22 am:
Not buying the Debbie Downer. After all, you posted a question recently about cancelling fairs downstate. Only fair to ask the same question for Chicago hockey fans.
- HeavyB - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:34 am:
Nice way for Crawford to end series with a shutout and quiet the critics, for now.
- woohoo - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:39 am:
There are definitely a dynasty in this salary cap era.
- DG53 - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:42 am:
‘World class’ celebration is set for Thursday. I tried to explain to my 7 year old how special this team is, to no avail. But they truly are special and we all should take time to appreciate it!! Wow, go Hawks!!
- Stones - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 9:50 am:
You have to hand it to the Hawks. They turned around a rinky-dink organization after Bill Wirtz passed in 2007 to the best organization in hockey. Remarkable team!
- Dirty Red - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:00 am:
= Bring the cup to the statehouse, maybe that will get them all together. =
Cheesecake
- Carhartt Representative - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:00 am:
=Rahm Emanuel and the Blackhawks…two winners for Chicago!=
It’d be nice to think of Rahm going to Canada now that the season is over. He could retire and do something meaningful like be a Mountie.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:04 am:
DG53
Have explained to my 14 year old he has seen as many Hawks Cups as his dad. It’s the norm to him to have them in the hunt.
- A guy - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:04 am:
+++===Geez, Debbie Downer===
Seconded.+++
Tripled.
Ice going boys!
- Under Further Review - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:08 am:
Did Rahm Emanuel join us at 8:47 a.m. today?
I can’t equate the mayor with the success of the hockey team.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:19 am:
GO SOX!
- Jack Burden - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:22 am:
Bread and circuses.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:30 am:
– Who is paying for the “world class celebration?”–
Umm…now is not the time to be asking such vapid questions.
- Roadiepig - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 11:27 am:
As one who suffered with no home games on tv, being asked to pay $3 to sit in a movie theater to watch HOME PLAYOFF GAMES in the early 1970’s (yeah, kids- “Dollar Bill” was so greedy he wouldn’t let home playoff games be “given away for free”), the last 8 years have been some of the best years as a sports fan of my life. For those fans mad at anyone who has recently become a Blackhawks fan (yeah, I have heard haters on tis subject) I say- the more the merrier! To have a squad that plays at such a hig level of skill, year in and year out, with a solid core of both home grown and acquired talent, and Stan Bowman filling the holes they find with available players on other teams so expertly, we should be enjoying this type of excitement for years to come!
- Bluegrass Boy - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 11:58 am:
Growing up in the South I wasn’t really exposed to hockey until my late adult years. But the excitement and tension of the final 7-8 minutes with the Blackhawks fighting off shots and trying to hold on to a tenuous 1-0 lead was right up there with my favorite Super Bowl and World Series moments. Of course when the Blackhawks went up 2-0 we started a celebrating a little early! Thanks Blackhawks for a nice diversion from the current dreariness of politics!
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
That was a fun series, and to cap it off at home was perfect! Awesome season, and see y’all Thursday at the parade….and I don’t care WHO pays for it!
- forwhatitsworth - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 2:00 pm:
Congratulations to the Blackhawks! Who will be paying the bill for this “world class” celebration? Just wondering …
- A guy - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
fwiw, are you a slow learner or a slow reader?
- Excesseively Rabid - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 2:48 pm:
I’ll never be anything more than a desultory hockey fan, but wow, that was a great series. Now if the Bears would just catch whatever it is the Hawks have - wouldn’t three Super Bowl wins in six years ease a lot of scars?
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
oooooh, FBI investigation of the baseball Cardinals, please!
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 3:17 pm:
Amalia, just heard that. What could the possible upside be to risking felony charges, hacking the player database of a team in the American League?
I mean, don’t they have scouts? Just bizarre, if true.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 3:33 pm:
well, Wordslinger, we need a whole thread on this!!! because it sounds like a tale of a former employee developing something technical which the Cardinals wished to explore, and did and now some people could be eligible for prison. it’s really heating up the news!
also, analytics of all sorts are more and more important in sports. for anyone who did not see it, there was an interesting article in the Trib about the relatively new use of that in hockey, as in it’s not just all about plus/minus, there’s so much more. you need old school plus new school in my opinion.
I’m a White Sox fan, so I have no dog in the Cubs/Cards fight. (although I was at that memorable game in June1984 with multiple Sandberg homes and a Card who hit for the cycle, Cubs win, me behaving nicely to impress a guy.) but it is fun to watch the carnage.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 4:48 pm:
back to the Hawks, Solder Field for the rally? that sure limits the numbers who can be there. not liking it.
- Timmeh - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:02 pm:
If Golden State wins the NBA Finals, Shaun Livingston (Peoria) and Andre Iguodala (Springfield) deserve a bit of homestate love too. That trophy is likely coming to Springfield and/or Peoria.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:05 pm:
It’s all good. It’s way too wet and muddy to have it in the park. The park would be destroyed. Everyone can find a spot to see the parade, a lucky bunch will score tickets to the Soldier Field ceremonies, and the rest of us will be watching on TV. After the 2005 Sox, and two previous Blackhawks Cup parades–Can’t wait for this one!
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 7:23 pm:
Timmeh, Cavs starter Iman Shumpert played at Oak Park River Forest.
Besides playing in the NBA Finals and being from Illinois, the other thing all three have in common is that none of them played AT Illinois.
Like Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis, Jabari Parker, Jahlil Okafor, Frank Kaminsky…..