Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

The Bolts Go For A Final Home Win

07/07/2021 at 9:09am EDT

from Stephen Whyno of the CP at TSN,

When the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup on home ice for the first time since before World War II, Jon Cooper could not bear to watch the joyful aftermath.

"I’m looking away from the whole thing," he said.

Cooper's Tampa Bay Lightning had just lost the 2015 series in six games after their first trip to the final of what turned out to be three times in seven years. Even after winning it all in 2020, he vividly remembers the feeling of watching Chicago players celebrating the team's first Cup-clinching win on home ice since 1938.

“There’s that excruciating minute or two you have to afford the team to celebrate,” Cooper said. “I think that’s just a poignant moment in sports when that happens, out of respect, and then the respect the captain has on the winning team to rally his troops to get in the handshake line.”

That was captain Steven Stamkos' job last fall when Tampa Bay beat Dallas, even though he didn't play in the clinching game. If he and the Lightning finish off the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 Wednesday night or do it in Game 7, Stamkos should get the proper chance to rally his teammates, and they'd be the first team since Chicago to win the Cup at home.

continued

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by Cigar-Nurse in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Quick Recap- Wings/Hurricanes - 36 minutes ago
Comment by bezukov in Abel to Yzerman from the entry The Downward Spiral Continues For The Wings - 1 hour ago
Comment by damndogrevenge in Abel to Yzerman from the entry The Downward Spiral Continues For The Wings - 2 hours ago
Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry NHL Short Notes - 9 hours ago
Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry NHL Short Notes - 9 hours ago