NHL : Stanley likes it south of the border

Carolina Hartford Hurricane Whalers = 2006 Stanley Cup Champions

A year ago the Stanley Cup was sitting in a box at the Hockey Hall of Fame homeless due to the NHL lockout. Then on Monday night a Cinderella story came to an end and one teams long time quest for the cup was realized. The Carolina Hurricanes became the first Stanley Cup champions in the post lockout era and to boot this is the first major sporting title the state has won. Raleigh, NC has always been associated with NASCAR and Basketball but for now its a hockey town. This Cup is not just for the fans in Carolina but those who stayed loyal to the team all through the times when they were the Hartford Whalers.

"Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character" - T. Alan Armstrong

An owner who believed, a coach who implemented a family feel to the team and made adjustments for the new style of play, a captain who had waited 17 years to reach this point, a young superstar who took the league by storm with his offense and a rookie goaltender got on the same page and brought to North Carolina one of the most prestegious trophies in professional sports. Not much was expected from the Hurricanes this season... but those who donned the jersey expected much from themselves and believed in this team. Backed by fans who are still new to the game, these players gave themselves the chance to reach the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

Rod Brind'Amour waited 17 years, Glen Wesley waited 18, Bret Hedican and Dough Weight over a decade to have their dream realized but it was on the backs of a rookie goaltender that this feat was accomplished. Cam Ward, the first rookie since Patrick Roy to win the Stanley Cup, was also the MVP for the series and deservedly so. He made the big plays as the last line of defence behind a group of defenceman, none of whom were all-stars but as a team they came together. Eric Staal did what he could but it was the veterans who stepped up big in the series. Hockey is afterall a team sport and it took contributions from the entire Carolina Hurricane's team to get through the season and the playoffs and ultimately come out victorious in the all or nothing game 7.

- I had predicted Carolina in 5 ... Hey atleast I got the team right (link)
- Out of Left Field live blogged game 7 (link)
- Videos of the Hurricanes home game entrances (video 1 and video 2)
- A funny spin on the travels of the Stanley Cup (link)