TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup after dethroning the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Avalanche beat the Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final behind a goal and an assist from Nathan MacKinnon.
Tampa Bay fell two victories short of becoming the NHL’s first three-peat champion since the early 1980s New York Islanders dynasty. Colorado’s core led by MacKinnon, captain Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen and longest-tenured player Erik Johnson finally got the job done after years of playoff disappointments.
It’s the franchise’s third championship and first since 2001.
Here are some of our other stories for Avalanche fans:
- Photos: Colorado Avalanche 2001 Stanley Cup parade
- Stanley Cup Final: A look back at Denver in 2001
- Quiz: How well do you know the Colorado Avalanche?
A Stanley Cup Championship parade will take place Thursday in Denver and will be carried live on FOX31 News.