Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Champions: Boston Once Again Showplace of Champions

The city of Boston has won six championships since 2001, with the New England Patriots collecting three Super Bowl trophies, the Boston Red Sox winning two World Series championships and the Boston Celtics winning one NBA title.

Because of the stellar play of their three neighboring sports franchises, the Boston Bruins have often been overlooked as the least of the Boston franchises. After Wednesday night, that will no longer be the case.

The Bruins, on the strength of a first period goal by spiritual leader Patrice Bergeron and a wraparound goal by rookie Brad Marchand in the second, won their first Stanley Cup title since 1972, beating the Vancouver Canucks, 4-0

It was the only road win for either team, and the team who had scored the first goal in each game went on to win. The Bruins made sure that pattern would hold once again.

Marchand, who assisted on Bergeron’s goal in the first, was an absolute pest throughout the game, continually providing outstanding forechecking and working the boards like a grizzled veteran. Marchand also added a second goal, an empty-netter with time running out.

Goaltender Tim Thomas stood tall once again, adding to his legacy during this year’s playoffs. Thomas, who is a Vezina Trophy finalist, was named the Conn Smythe winner for his efforts.

So, the city of Boston once again shows that is the showplace of champions, becoming the only city in North America to win a championship in all four major professional sports in the 21st century.

The upcoming party in Boston will be special indeed,.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, The Los Angeles Times and The Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter,  @Sports_A_Holic.