Big Bad Champions

That was quite a sparkling way to finish the season for the Boston Bruins after they downed the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven. With the thought of 1972 hanging over the city of Boston tonight, the Bruins went out and got another spectacular performance from goaltender Tim Thomas, and saw Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and the ageless Mark Recchi dominate in this game to capture the Stanley Cup. The Boston Bruins defeat the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven by a 4-0 score, and capture the Stanley Cup in a 4-3 series victory!

While it has yet to officially be announced, Mark Recchi stated on CBC television that he would be stepping away from the game upon winning his third Stanley Cup after winning in 1991 with Pittsburgh and 2006 with Carolina. If that was the last we see of the "Wrecking Ball", it closes an amazing career in which Recchi was a key player on a number of teams. He still holds the team record for points in a season for the Philadelphia Flyers with 123, and he officially became the oldest player to score a Stanley Cup goal when he scored on June 6, 2011 at 43 years, 126 days of age. Best wishes in the future, Mark Recchi, and here's hoping you're not gone from the game for too long!

For goaltender Tim Thomas, his journey to be the best of his position can now officially be celebrated. Thomas recorded the best save percentage ever recorded in NHL history this season. He won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins. He was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the MVP through the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And he will almost certainly be named as the Vezina Trophy winner later this month at the NHL Awards. Congratulations to Tim Thomas on his amazing season, and here's looking forward to another amazing season next year!

Patrice Bergeron's story is a pretty amazing one. It was thought that Bergeron may never play hockey again after suffering a brutal injury on a check from behind from Philadelphia's Randy Jones on October 27, 2007. After making a triumphant return in 2008, Bergeron suffered another setback when a collision with Carolina's Dennis Seidenberg on December 20, 2008 resulted in another concussion. A collision with Claude Giroux of the Flyers in these playoffs looked like it might be another long layoff for Bergeron, but he returned and played better than ever! With the victory tonight, Bergeron joins the "Triple Gold" club as he now has a World Championship gold medal, an Olympic gold medal, and a Stanley Cup to his name! Congratulations to Patrice Bergeron on his great season, and let's hope his health remains good for the foreseeable future!

While there will be a thousand memorable stories told about each player and each event that occurred this season to lead the Bruins to victory, let's give credit to one piece of equipment that the Bruins used all season long: the victory jacket. Wear it proud tonight, gentlemen, because there's no bigger victory than tonight! And if anything, at least you know that Happy Gilmore will be a little happier tonight!

Congratulations to the Boston Bruins, the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Champions!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!