Stanley Cup Game 6: Two Goals, No Cup

By Kevin Aherne

And in just seventeen seconds, an entire city deflated...

Knowing the Stanley Cup was in the building, the Boston Bruins seemed determined to prevent a celebration on their home ice.  The B's came out strong, controlling the puck for much of the first period.  They had no shortage of scoring opportunities in the first, as they put up 12 shots, including a Chris Kelly goal seven minutes into the game. The Bruins however, failed to capitalize on several early scoring chances, including an open-net misfire from David Krejci in the closing moments of the opening frame.  

The Blackhawks capitalized on their fortune, and came alive in the second period.  Jonathan Toews slipped a deep snap shot past Tukka Rask to even the score five minutes in, nullifying Boston's early momentum.  The score remained knotted up at one throughout the second and much of the third, until Milan Lucic put a wrister into the back of the net. 

With the Bruins up by a goal with only seven minutes to go, it seemed that a Game 7 was in the cards. However, with less than two minutes to go in the game, a Bryan Bickell wrist shot tied the game 2-2.  The Bruins' energy had immediately condensed as they prepared for another overtime game. The Blackhawks however, had other plans in mind.

With just 1:16 seconds left, the Bruins lined up for the post-goal faceoff on their heels. Chicago saw noticed their lax counterparts, and seized the opportunity.  A loose puck turnover by Boston allowed the Hawks to race down the ice, and set up their offense.  After an initial Rask stick save, Michale Frolik lined up a snap shot which was redirected by Dave Bolland into the net, giving Chicago a 3-2 lead with just 59 seconds remaining.

In just seventeen seconds, the Bruins went from Game 6 winners to Stanley Cup losers.  While many have said that Boston outkicked their coverage by even making it to the Cup Finals, 2013 ended on a bad note, sending the loyal Bruin fans into the summer with a sour taste in their mouths.