from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

When Alex Ovechkin finally got his hands on the Stanley Cup, he refused to let go.

The Washington Capitals captain had more than a decade of disappointment to think about this night and when it actually arrived he made it count. He joined longtime teammate and friend Nicklas Backstrom for his Cup twirl after taking one of his own. He delivered the trophy to owner Ted Leonsis and skated it to the spot where they took the team photo.

More than an hour after the horn sounded on a 4-3 victory that gave the Capitals their first ever championship, he was still on the ice at T-Mobile Arena cradling it like a baby.

"I think this moment, we waiting a long, long time," said Ovechkin. "It just was joy."

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from Frank Seravalli of TSN,

Just before Gary Bettman handed him the Stanley Cup, put his hands on his head in disbelief.

It was a face, one of the many faces, for the face of the franchise than will forever be frozen in time.

He then let out a roar, one that bellowed equal parts ecstasy and relief, as he reached the silver finish line of a chase 13 years long.

“It meant everything,” Ovechkin said. “This is even better. I think it’s just like a dream.”

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from Tom Gulitti of NHL.com,