Game 7 of The Stanley Cup

There is nothing more exciting than game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals (unless it is overtime in game 7). In this years Finals, the home team has won every game. Game 7 was in Vancouver . One would think that it was inevitable that the Canucks would hoist the Cup at the end of the night.

The Boston Bruins had other plans. The Bruins goalie, Tim Thomas, absolutely stood on his head in posting a 4-0 shutout of the Canucks. No other goalie in NHL history has had a shutout, on the road, in a game 7. There have only been 16 game 7 since the NHL began in the early 1900's. Thomas also set a record for the most saves during the playoffs. This record was set in 1942. He also won the Conn Smyth Trophy (Finals MVP). He is the first American born goalie to do so. Only one other American has won this trophy, Brian Leetch, Defenseman of the NY Rangers.

Boston is also one the second team ever in sports history (that' ALL of sports) to win three game 7s in a single playoff. The beat the Canadians in 7 in the first round. They beat Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Finals in 7. They then beat the Canucks in in the Stanley Cup finals in 7.

Boston won their first Cup since 1972.

Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated