Tim Thomas and the Boston Bruins blanked the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 in the seventh and deciding game of the Stanley Cup Finals. This is Boston’s first Stanley Cup since the 1971-72 season and their 6th Cup in franchise history. Vancouver on the other hand is still searching for their first Stanley Cup in their 41 year history.
Again Tim Thomas was simply amazing turning away all 37 shots and only allowing 8 goals against during the seven game series. With that said Tim Thomas was named the 2011 Conn Smythe trophy winner becoming the oldest winner (37) in NHL history.
“This team just had so much character,” Thomas told CBC after the game. “Every time we got our backs up against the wall and had to win we did. Every time. To win it on the road in Game 7 is no easy task, and they came through. That’s a testament to the character on that team.”
On the other side of things, Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo once again proved that he is one of the biggest chokers in the NHL as well as one of the most overrated goaltenders in the game today. In game seven Luongo faced a total of 20 shots and made only 17 saves. Also, despite having two shutouts in the Stanley Cup Finals, Luongo gave up a total 17 goals in this series, was yanked twice for his performance and was never able to come up big when his team needed him to most.
With all that said it’s safe to say that game very much came down to goaltending after Vancouver managed to out shoot the Bruins in all three periods and 37-21 overall.
“I’m disappointed for our fans, our players and everybody but you have to give credit where credit is due,” Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault said to CBC. “Boston played a great game, it was a real hard-fought series and they deserved to win.”
“Obviously they had a plan, they were going to be physical and were going to hit after the whistle. At the end of the day it took its toll on everybody. But their goaltender was phenomenal, he made some huge saves and we just couldn’t beat him in their building.”
Now despite not being able to suit up with his team after suffering a concussion earlier in the series, Bruins forward Nathan Horton was able to put on skates and join his team on the ice for the Cup celebration.
Boston veteran Mark Recchi, who had 13 points throughout the playoffs confirmed that he will retire, going out as a Stanley Cup champion.
“We never made things easy on ourselves,” Recchi said after the game to CBC. “I knew Game 6 and 7 we were going to be there and we did it. What a feeling this is. This is a hell of a way for me to go out, that’s for sure.”
Source: CBC, TSN.ca
