Updated at 12:32 a.m. ET
The Stanley Cup final, pro hockey's championship series (for those who don't closely follow winter sports, and wait — it's June!) got underway last night in Tampa, Fla. The Chicago Blackhawks, one of the NHL's original six teams, defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, one of the Sun Belt expansion teams formed in the 1990s, 2-1.
Chicago is skating after its third Stanley Cup since 2010. Tampa Bay is going after its second championship.
Tampa Bay's Alex Killorn scored early in the first period, and the game remained 1-0 until late in the third. The Chicago Tribune relates what happened then:
"... the Hawks struck at 13:28 to stun the crowd of 19,204. First, [Teuvo] Teravainen sent a shot from the left circle that sailed past a screened [Tampa Bay goalie Ben] Bishop. [Antoine] Vermette then gave the Hawks a 2-1 advantage when he wristed a shot from the slot.
" 'It shows a lot of character being able to come back,' Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith said. 'We stuck with it. They had a good first period and we came on toward the end of the game.'
"Said winger Patrick Sharp: 'We certainly believe in ourselves in our locker room and we're never out of any game despite the score or how it looks out there. Two big goals at the end to get the win.' "
The Tampa Bay Times blamed the Lightning's loss on its "passive play":
" 'There's a fine line between respect and fear,' [Tampa Bay] veteran wing Brenden Morrow said. 'Give (the Blackhawks) respect. Can't fear them. It looked like in the third we were holding on, (we) feared maybe what might happen.'
" 'We learned our lesson here.' "
NPR's David Schaper previewed the game for NPR News:
"Both the Blackhawks and the Lightning are fast-skating, high-scoring teams with rock-solid goaltending... and despite their wide open styles, both teams can clamp down defensively to limit opponents' chances. Both teams went to the seven game limit in their Conference finals; Chicago beating the much bigger, more physical Anaheim Ducks; while Tampa knocked off the much bigger, more physical New York Rangers.
The Blackhawks are led by the dynamic duo of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, and are trying to build a dynasty in going after their third Stanley Cup championship since 2010.
The Lightning, led by superstar Captain Steven Stamkos, last won the Cup in 2004."
The Tampa Bay Times has a preview of the series here.
Or if you prefer the spin from Chicago, here's what the Tribune offers.
And if you're looking for a neutral but incredibly detailed preview, maybe the sports site Grantland is the place to go.
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