2011 SoB Game of the Year | Stanley Cup Finals Game 7

By John in Bruins, Featured, Now!, Opinion, Top Story ⋅ December 30, 2011 at 5:57pm ⋅ Post a comment

Boston Bruins (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

On June 15, the Boston Bruins faced their third Game 7 of the playoffs. It was the first one on the road, and the home team won all six previous games in the final round. However, Vancouver struggled at home all series long and never bothered to show up in Boston. Boston took advantage and finally broke through for the 4-0 shutout in the deciding game. Could it have been Nathan Horton pouring water from melted TD Garden ice on Vancouver’s rink before the game? That’s probably Vancouver’s excuse.

Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand each score twice in a game that featured more goals than penalties. Tim Thomas was excellent in net, stopping all 37 shots on goal to help seal the cup. It was Boston’s first Cup in 39 years, making Boston a hockey town again.

Testimonials

When Roberto Luongo insulted Tim Thomas following the Canucks’ Game 5 victory, you knew Luongo had just signed his own death warrant. Athletes are so desperate for a motivational edge that they’ll fabricate disrespectful comments when nothing else is presented to them. To actually give the Bruins something as legitimately disrespectful as that was idiotic. And when Luongo allowed the first goal in Game 7, you could hear the crowd turning on him. By the end of the third period, Luongo had no fans left but himself. – Matt G

Nothing beats Game 7 in the Stanley Cup. – Stephen