Tales From the Not So Cheap Seats: The Chicago Blackhawks-The 2015 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Champions

This week, Chicago Blackhawks won the 2015 National Hockey League Stanley Cup. In an exciting 6 game series, The Blackhawks of the Western Conference played the Tampa Bay Lightning of the Eastern Conference in close games that were decided by no more than 2 goals. Both teams were evenly matched and had players that could get the puck to the net.

Here is a quick summary of how the series unfolded:

Game 1: Alex Killorn got Tampa Bay on the scoreboard with a goal earlier in the game…The Lightning held the lead until the third period when Teuvo Tervainen and Antoine Vermette of Chicago scored in the game’s final minutes, breaking the tie and getting ahead to win Game 1…Chicago was excellent at closing the open ice that would allow Tampa Bay to play their style of hockey. Final Score: Chicago Blackhawks 2-Tampa Bay Lightning 1

Game 2: Close game…Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop injury left game early, putting backup goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy into the Stanley Cup Finals game…A deflection off a stick led to a Tampa Bay goal...Jason Garrison of Tampa Bay scored the game winning power play goal. Final Score: Tampa Bay Lightning 4-Chicago Blackhawks 3

Game 3: Tampa Bay’s Ondrej Palat and Cedric Paquette scored to quell a 2-1 Chicago lead…Ben Bishop returned to the net after his injury in Game 2.Final Score: Tampa Bay Lightning 3-Chicago Blackhawks 2

Game 4: Chicago Blackhawk Brandon Saad broke a 1-1 stalemate in the third period…After playing in Game 3, Ben Bishop ceded the netminding duties to backup goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Final Score: Chicago Blackhawks 2-Tampa Bay Lightning 1

Game 5: Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning was hurt on a play when he attempted to crash the Blackhawk’s net and did not return to the game…While Kucherov was being taken to the locker room, Ben Bishop was back in the net trying to protect his team from falling into a do-or-die Game 6 situation…Steven Stamkos tried to get Tampa Bay on the scoreboard in the hope of solving his own scoring difficulties…Chicago would take advantage of a shaky Ben Bishop. Final Score: Chicago Blackhawks 2-Tampa Bay Lightning 1

Game 6: This game was everything a final game for the Stanley Cup could ever be…Nikita Kucherov played Game 6 after being injured in Game 5…Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop held the Blackhawks scoreless in the first period… Corey Crawford of Chicago stood tall in net as well, stopping every shot from the Tampa Bay Lightning…Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane came up big with the only two goals need to secure Chicago’s 2015 Stanley Cup victory. Final Score: Chicago Blackhawks 2- Tampa Bay Lightning 0

Dynasty Created: With this win, the Chicago Blackhawks have 3 Stanley Cup wins in 6 years (2010, 2013, and 2015). Their 2015 Game 6 victory was also on home ice in Chicago for the first time since 1938.

Windy City MVP: The Conn Smythe Award is given out every year to the NHL Playoffs' Most Valuable Player. This year’s recipient was Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith.

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the Stanley Cup. It should be an interesting off-season for them as the organization defends its status as the best in the NHL.