After years of suffering that left the city starved for a championship, Boston has a title to call its own after the Bruins downed the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, 4-0. For Boston, it's another title to add to the collection as the Bruins joined the party with the city's seventh championship in the last 10 years. In fact, all four major professional teams in Boston have one a championship within the last seven years, which is just splendid.
The Bruins did it by finally winning in Vancouver after the home teams ruled the day throughout the Stanley Cup Finals. Boston held serve on its home ice in Games 3, 4 and 6 while Vancouver took the first, second and fifth games. After the Canucks put the Bruins on the ropes with a Game 5 win to take a 3-2 series lead, Boston came back and won the next two games convincingly to earn the right to host the Stanley Cup on Wednesday night.
Patrice Bergeron scored the all-important first goal of the game, beating Roberto Luongo in the first period to give the Bruins an early 1-0 lead. In the Stanley Cup Finals, the team that scored first won each of the seven games. And with Tim Thomas in net, the one-goal lead was all the Bruins needed.
In the second period, Boston poured it on, and padded the lead to put the Canucks away. Brad Marchand scored the second goal of the game before Bergeron tallied his second goal of the game as the Canucks were on a power play.
Finally, after Vancouver pulled Roberto Luongo with three minutes to go in favor of another attacker, Marchand scored his second, and the Bruins' fourth, goal of the game. The Bergeron and Marchand line was responsible for all four of the Bruins goals on the night.
Thomas was outstanding throughout the series and likely earned the Conn-Smithe Trophy for his efforts. In Game 7, it was more of the same as he saw 37 shots and stopped each of them, recording the shutout in the win. It was Thomas' fourth shutout of the 2011 NHL playoffs. Luongo saw 19 shots and made 16 saves in what was surely seen as a disappointing performance in Vancouver.
The Stanley Cup Finals are over and the Boston Bruins are the NHL Champions after a 4-0 win in Game 7 to take the series, 4-3.
Stay with this StoryStream for the latest on the game up to, and throughout, Wednesday's matchup. For more on the Canucks, head over to Nucks Misconduct. For a deep look at the Bruins, check out the aptly named Stanley Cup of Chowder.