Tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the defending champion Detroit Red Wings on their home ice by the score of 2-1 to clinch the 2009 Stanley Cup championship.
An upset for some, and a consecration for others, this is how I can describe this 2009 Stanley Cup final. The Penguins bowed in front of the champions last season but regrouped and vanquished their opponents this year.
The game-winning goal was registered during the second period in this final game of the season. In fact, the Penguins scored twice during the middle frame. Maxime Talbot scored both goals and is one of the heroes of the night.
Talbot took advantage of a turnover and appeared in front of goaltender Chris Osgood who kneeled down. The Penguins forward slid the puck under one of Osgood's leg as he was attempting to get up on his feet.
Talbot's second goal was scored with a swift wrist shot over the glove of Osgood.
The Wings did score a goal with just over six minutes to go in the third period but it was too little too late. Jonathan Ericsson beat Marc-Andre Fleury with wild a high shot form the blue line.
Marc-Andre Fleury was spectacular tonight in net for the Penguins. He is a big reason for this Stanley Cup conquest. The young French-Canadian goaltender kept his best save of the game when in a final attempt from the Wings who were pressing for the tying goal.
With only a handful of seconds to play, Fleury made a good pad save and moved to his right side to block the second shot from the Wings forward.
A spectacular way to clinch the championship.
I will continue this piece with a nudge to Marian Hossa who refused to re-sign with the Penguins to join the Red Wings this season—and missed the whole bandwagon.
When asked before the final about the reasons of his contract signing with the Red Wings, Hossa mentioned that he "wanted to learn how to win."
Hockey is a team sport and bonding in a group is important in order to win a championship in the NHL. The Penguins were a promising group of guys last season and they conformed it this year by defeating the defending champions and Marian Hossa.
I hope you are starting to learn Marian.
Renaud Lavoie from RDS asked Sidney Crosby's impressions on the ice immediately after the victory. Among his statements, Crosby mentioned about how he was "fortunate and glad to play with a great group of guys."
In other words: I did not leave and kept fighting.
Take that Marian.
Finally, I am very proud of the French-Canadians on the roster with the Penguins. They contributed and were an important part in this victory. Marc-Andre Fleury, Maxime Talbot, Philippe Boucher, Pascal Dupuis and Christopher Letang.
Final score: Pittsburgh Penguins 2—Detroit Red Wings 1
(Pittsburgh wins the series 4-3.)
Congratulations to the 2009 Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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