BRYAN BICKELL AND Dave Bolland scored just 17 seconds apart in the waning moments of the third period as the Chicago Blackhawks stunned Boston 3-2 to capture their fifth Stanley Cup title in franchise history.
Bickell scored his ninth goal of the post-season with 76 seconds left in regulation to tie it 2-2 after Chicago had pulled goaltender Corey Crawford for an extra attacker.
Bolland then capped the epic comeback by hammering home the winner at 19:01 of the final period for the Hawks, who took the first ever Stanley Cup final series between the two Original Six teams four games to two.
“This is a sweet way to finish it off,” Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said.
Chicago forward Patrick Kane was named MVP of the playoffs as he led the Blackhawks with nine goals and 19 points in 23 games.
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The Blackhawks can add this trophy to championships they won in 1934, 1938, 1961 and 2010. They celebrated in their dressing room Monday by pouring Champagne into the Cup and drinking out of it.
Boston led 2-1 with just over a minute left in the third and appeared to be heading to a victory and a deciding game seven on Wednesday when the wheels fell off. “Toughest for sure,” said Boston coach Claude Julien. “When it’s a little over a minute left and you have a chance for a game seven.”
Kane was also the hero for Chicago in 2010, scoring the overtime winner on the road as the ‘Hawks beat Philadelphia in six games to snap a 49-year Stanley Cup drought. “This is the best year of my life playing with these guys,” Kane said.
You are down 2-1 in the last minute and you come through with a 3-2 win it is unbelievable. We just wanted to get the puck in their end, try and get a shot on net and crash the net and see what happens. It is a great feeling.”
