Hossa finally has his Stanley Cup
1 photo • Jun 10 2010 19:40
PHILADELPHIA -- Upon further review, Marian Hossa has finally won the Stanley Cup.
There was no way his first championship was going to come easy, especially after the heartbreak of the past two seasons that ended with Stanley Cup Final losses with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008 and the Detroit Red Wings in 2009. So it was only fitting that the Chicago Blackhawks needed overtime and a video...MorePHILADELPHIA -- Upon further review, Marian Hossa has finally won the Stanley Cup.
There was no way his first championship was going to come easy, especially after the heartbreak of the past two seasons that ended with Stanley Cup Final losses with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008 and the Detroit Red Wings in 2009. So it was only fitting that the Chicago Blackhawks needed overtime and a video replay of Patrick Kane's winner in order to give Hossa the sweet relief he's wanted for nearly three years.
Following Chicago's series-clinching 4-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers, Hossa finally let down the guard he's had up for nearly three years and admitted he truly was afraid of leaving the ice a loser once again.
"Oh my God," said Hossa, who was grinning ear-to-ear on the Wachovia Center ice. "When we go to the Finals again, I was so happy to be in the Finals, but at the same time, it was scary. I'm so glad, what a relief. Third time's the lucky charm. I won it and I got a Stanley Cup and ... what a feeling. This is unbelievable."
Kane's goal 4:06 into overtime came from a bad angle and slipped through the pads of Flyers goaltender Michael Leighton. Kane began jumping around and shedding equipment, but there was some confusion as to whether a goal had actually been scored.
Eventually the Blackhawks piled out onto the ice and began celebrating, but after all Hossa has been through, it's understandable that he was a little hesitant to throw off his gloves and celebrate.
"Kaner said he saw it go in," Hossa said. But not ready to trust the moment, he went on to say, "I went to ask the referee because I wanted to make sure. He told me it was in, and then I started celebrating."
It capped what might have been the longest three seasons for any athlete in sports. Hossa was dealt to the Penguins at the trade deadline in 2008, but came up just short in a six-game Final loss to the Red Wings. Hossa had 3 goals and 4 assists in the series, but the fo