Detroit Red Wings 2008 Stanley Cup Champs

Jun 05, 2008 | By Scott Burgess | Picks Articles Archive

For the 11th time in franchise history the Detroit Red Wings are Stanley Cup champions after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in Game 6.

The Penguins had no answer for Detroit's suffocating style as Henrik Zetterberg's third period goal ensured that the Cup was headed back to 'Hockeytown' for the fourth time in the past 11 seasons.

With 13 goals and 27 points in the playoffs, Zetterberg was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy, joining team mate Nicklas Lidstrom as the only Swedish players to accomplish the feat.

"It feels pretty good," said Zetterberg. "It's been a long season. When we lost a few nights ago in Joe Louis, it was devastating. (But) we found a way to battle back.

"It's just a great feeeling. There's some great names on it."

It was apt to see Zetterberg accept the award as the Wings are tinged with a distinct 'Tre Kronor' flavour with seven Swedes on the roster including Lidstrom who became the first European born and trained player to Captain his team to capture hockey's Holy Grail.

Lidstrom was very aware of his place in history following the victory.

"It's something I'm very proud of," said Lidstrom. "I've been over here for a long time.

"I watched Steve Yzerman win it as our captain, and I'm very proud to be captain of the Detroit Red Wings and to win the Stanley Cup again."

Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall and Mikael Samuelsson also all joined Lidstrom in the very prestigious 'Triple Gold Club,' as they added a Stanley Cup ring to an Olympic Gold medal and World Championship both won in 2006.

The Penguins made it very interesting as with less than two minutes remaining Marian Hossa scored on the power play to pull the Pens within a goal.

"When they scored their second one, we knew it was going to be tight right to the end," said Zetterberg. "When I saw 0:00 on the clock, I was a happy man."

The tension mounted even more for Detroit as Sidney Crosby's backhander flipped over Chris Osgood but stayed out of the net with no time left on the clock. After the series it was revealed that Crosby played the series with both injured ribs and groin.

Following the game Crosby appeared emotionally spent.

"I haven't experienced a Stanley Cup final loss before. It's not a good feeling," Crosby told reporters following the game.

The Wings accomplished the rare feat of clinching all four playoff series on the road.

The win was extra sweet for Dallas Drake who earned his first Stanley Cup ring in his 16th season.

"I can't believe it,'' said Drake. "We've got a tremendous group of guys who want to win more than anybody I've been around.

"I just can't be more thankful right now.''

History was also made as forward Dan Cleary became the first player from Newfoundland and Labrador to have his name etched on the Stanley Cup.

"It's great to be part of history," said Cleary. "It's something to be really proud of.

"I'm proud to be from Newfoundland. I can't wait to bring it home so the kids can see it and touch it. If a kid from Riverhead can do it, they can do it. I want the kids of Newfoundland to believe they can achieve a lot of good things."

Despite the loss, Penguins head coach Michel Therrien was extremely happy with his team's performance.

"We're going in the right direction with those young kids," said Penguins coach Michel Therrien. "The future is bright with those young kids. This is definitely a team that is really fun to coach. They paid a price to try to get better. I'm really proud of my players."

After coming so far in such a short period of time, the loss was difficult for many of the Penguins to take.

"I've got no feeling right now," said Penguins forward Maxime Talbot. "It's tough.

"We came here to win. We didn't miss out by much. Give the Red Wings credit. They did what they had to do."

Detroit Red Wings 2008 Stanley Cup Champs

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