Stanley Cup Final - Game 6

Spoiler. Chicago win.

Anyway, how did it happen?

First Period

After Rene Rancourt's belting national anthem, the Bruins really took the initiative, letting the Blackhawks know that today would not be a formality.

The first test for Tukka Rask came three minutes in when Nick Leddy fired a laser from center ice forcing Rask to knock the puck away. Less than a minute later Jonathan Toews linked up with Patrick Kane from behind Rask's net but Kane fired wide.

The Blackhawks have been working on their link up play as Alex's man-crush Michal Handzus may have struggled in the faceoff spots but his passing was on target. The Handzus-Sharp pairing proving to be one of the best in the league.

The Bruins' third line kept Chicago under pressure but for what seemed like an age, couldn't find the net. That was until the seventh minute when Tyler Seguin found the 'Hawks D-men sleeping and passed the puck in front of Corey Crawford to Chris Kelly who found the net with ease. 0-1 Boston.

Chicago responded and Michael Frolik came close when he found himself one on one with Rask. The Finn however made himself big and blocked Frolik's wrister.

Johnny Oduya took the game's first penalty when he was caught hooking Seguin in front of Crawford's net.

With four minutes left the clock was stopped when Andrew Shaw took a puck to the face after Shawn Thornton tried to clear the puck but only succeeding in lifting the puck.

Earlier in the period Jaromir Jagr left the bench and headed off to the locker room. Seemingly after taking an innocuous hit.

Michal Rozsival took the second penalty of the game when his high stick caught Brad Marchand's face.

Marchand then played a lovely deke to make a great run on Crawford's net and passed to David Krejci who somehow missed the net. Seriously it was harder to miss than score.

Second Period

Good news for Bruins fans as Jagr returned to the ice. The 'Hawks started the period shorthanded as Rozival finished his penalty.

Krejci came close to doubling the B's lead early on but found the crossbar.

Soon after having his face put back together, Andrew Shaw and Chris Kelly started roughing eachother up, Shaw picking up a penalty for throwing a punch after the referee had blown his whistle.

Brandon Saad made a good run but found a solid wall of Bruins. Toews went one better though and with lightning speed was able to dash and slot the puck between Rask's legs. Zdeno Chara caught sleeping in the lead up to that goal. 1-1. 

Brent Seabrook then took a trip to the penalty box after he tripped Krejci.

The game remained pretty close until with six minutes on the clock, Seguin picked up Boston's first penalty of the game for hooking. Chicago dominated the powerplay but a desperate PK unit proved decisive and the score remained level.

That's how it remained for the rest of the period.

Third Period

The first half of period three was tense but mostly uneventful. With neither team really threatening to take the advantage.

Marchand went end to end to give the Bruins a good position but Rozival was in the right place to hold off Mt Chara.

This energised the Bruins though and despite Crawford's heroics, Milan Lucic took advantage of some Blackhawks confusion and send the puck off the post and into the net. The crowd went mental. 1-2 Boston.

The Chicago boys were not to be defeated though and took the game to Rask's net. No goals to be found though.

Goal hero Chris Kelly took a trip to the box with seven minutes left on the clock when he was nabbed for high-sticking Nick Leddy.

Mt Chara should have been given a penalty after a cynical hit on Toews, forcing the 'Hawks forward into, and dislodging the net. Bad man.

With three minute left on the clock, the Bruins were still forcing saves from Crawford. Shaw won the faceoff against Kelly after the puck went out of play.

With 1.20 left Crawford left the ice to give Chicago the extra skater and the move payed off. Toews' superb cross to find Bryan Bickell who couldn't miss. 2-2.

20 seconds later Dave Bolland found the net to give the Chicago Blackhawks the lead after sneaking into the edge of the blue paint. 3-2 Chicago.

Boston then pulled Rask but it wasn't enough. The final whistle went and the entire Chicago bench took to the ice and the travelling Chicago fans erupted.

The Chicago Blackhawks have won the 2013 Stanley Cup.

Mike's Three Stars

Toews (CHI) - the Chicago captain had the smack laid down on him tonight but still stood tall. Remember it was doubtful that this guy would even start the game.

Crawford (CHI) - this guy won the cup for Chicago. That is all.

Hossa (CHI) - another skater who was doubtful to play, Hossa wasn't at 100% but he gave his all and you've gotta respect that.

Alex’s Edit: Congrats to the Chicago Blackhawks, they have been by far the best team all year and have been Seven Days in Hockey's favourites to take home the Cup! Thanks to the efforts of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Corey Crawford and most of all the tactical astuteness of coach Joel Quenneville, they have swept all before them! Yes they have wobbled in places during this series- Mike’s dream upset almost came true in the Western Conference final when they came within 1 game of being elimated by Detroit, but it takes a truly great side to come back  from the verge of collapse.

The Bruins however deserve equal respect as after a rather quiet regular season, they have come alive in the playoff series and their sweep over much fancied Pittsburgh was a testament to their never say die spirit and Captain Zdeno Chara, Tuukka Rask and David Krecji have made them into a deadly weapon! They threatened to spoil the party after game 3, but just missed out on the ultimate prize!

Chicago have an offensive team to die for and it will be interesting to see how teams handle them next season because right now we could have one of the all time great sides of on our hands (my apologises to Dave Bolland though- didnt mean to call you Danny for the whole playoffs!)