SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Pittsburgh Penguins just earned their fourth Stanley Cup, when they defeated the San Jose Sharks in game six at the SAP Center 3-1. It marked their fourth cup won on the road, while their hometown fans watched from televisions and internet. There were a handful of fans on hand in the sell-out crowd.
2016 Stanley Cup Champions – Pittburgh Penguins – Photo by Jack Lima
The Sharks did not go down easy though. The hits were hard and fierce, as game six began. The Penguins opened the scoring, as they had for four other games in this series at 8:16 into the first period. Brian Dumoulin slapped the puck from the blue line, passed Martin Jones just under his extended blocker. The momentum stayed on the Pens side, as the Sharks had a difficult time getting the puck out of their zone.
Melker Karlsson, at one point slid hard on approach to the pens net, hitting the boards hard. He had to be assisted off the ice, but returned a short time later. The Pens led 1-0 at the first buzzer.
Melker Karlsson (68) watches as Logan Couture’s goal (not pictured) eludes Penguins goalie Matthew Murray- Photo by Jack Lima
Just over six minutes into the second period, the Sharks’ Logan Couture, was able to tie the game, when his shot resulted in a turnover in the neutral zone, and he carried it to the net, beating Matt Murray five-hole. Karlsson and Brent Burns were credited with the assist on the goal.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) bats a puck out of the air- Photo by Jack Lima
The game didn’t stay tied for long, as the Penguin’s Kris LeTang scored 45 seconds later. His goal came from beside the net, in an unfortunate bounce for Martin Jones, off the inside of his stick, and into the net.
Scamble in front of the Sharks net- Photo by Jack Lima
The teams seemed to move bit slower, compared to the first period, as they returned to the ice, and it was apparent the Penguins had entered cruise control, primarily playing keep away. There were a few scoring opportunities, for the Sharks, however Murray stood tall in the net.
Jones was stellar in the net, likely keeping the Sharks in the hunt for this entire series, not to mention this game. In the end, he had 24 saves, while Murray had 18 for the win.
Sidney Crosby (87) and Kris Letang (58) celebrate Pittsburgh’s go ahead goal- Photo by Jack Lima
An empty net goal from Patric Hornqvist, with a minute and two seconds remaining, sealed the game for Pittsburgh, and the final minute was a mere formality.
The Sharks players remained on the ice for the ceremonial handshake, and then a final salute to their fans for their support in the final game of the Shark’s 25th season.
Postgame Handshake- Photo by Jack Lima
Sidney Crosby was presented with the Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player immediately following the game.
Finally, the Stanley Cup was presented to the Penguins. Crosby was the first to skate around, and kiss the cup over his head. He passed it to Trevor Daley. Daley had broken his ankle earlier in the Eastern Conference Finals a few weeks ago, and had not played since. Daley passed it to Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis has been out since December, but returned to the ice in uniform for a pass with the Cup.
Sidney Crosby hoists Stanley Cup- Photo by Jack Lima
After the game, Crosby said, “I was just thinking about how hard it was to get to this point, just trying to enjoy every second of it. It’s not easy to get here. Having won seven years ago at a young age, you probably take it for granted a little bit. You don’t think you do at the time, but it’s not easy to get to this point. Just try to enjoy it the best I can.”
The cup then went to Marc-Andre Fleury, and continued around to the other players one-by-one. Each player hoisted to cup, kissed it, then passed it on to the next.
Crosby spoke about the order the cup was shared. “There’s so many different things that motivate you obviously to win, but there’s other things. Daley had played for such a long time. Hadn’t really even had a chance. He had been through some different playoffs, but getting hurt at the time he did, knowing how important it was, he had told me that he went and seen his mom in between series and stuff, she wasn’t doing well, she wanted to see him with the Cup. That was important to her. I think that kind of stuck with me after he told me that. We were motivated to get it for him, even though he had to watch. Duper, obviously what he’s been through the last couple years, the type of teammate he’s been, just the way he’s approached everything. I think he would have loved to have been playing. This is as good as we could have done without him playing. That was special.”
“ And Flower, the teammate he’s been, it hasn’t been easy getting hurt like he did. Having come in and played the way he did, he just handled it better than you’d expect. Crosby finished, “All three guys, it’s about your team. Those guys showed it the best way you can.”
Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan, “Well, you learn a lot. You learn a lot through the process. I think there’s so many good people in this business, whether it’s in coaching, players, management, scouting, there’s so many good people that work extremely hard to be at their best. I’m grateful for the people that I’ve worked with throughout the years that have helped me become a better coach. I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach this group of players. As I said, there’s a lot of really good coaches out there, that work extremely hard at what they do. So to have the opportunity to work with this team, this group of players, I’m really grateful and obviously thrilled to have the opportunity to win this.”
Check back to PHN for the final Best Shots of the Game to come early in the week.
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