Los Angeles Kings Dustin Brown holds the Stanley Cup in front of fans after his team defeated the New Jersey Devils during Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey final in Los Angeles, June 11, 2012. MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive299076
The Kings play in a city where they are often third on the sports priority list behind the Lakers and the Clippers and sports even take a back seat to movie stars, Justin Bieber and whatever it is the Kardashian family did that day. The Los Angeles Kings changed all of that, at least for a short time, after they defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to clinch the first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history.
The Kings managed to clinch a playoff spot after the 80th game of the 82-game season. They finished behind division rivals San Jose Sharks and found themselves in the 8 seed looking up at everyone. That did not stop them from stunning top seed Vancouver, beating them in 5 games. Followed by dismissing the second-seed Blues in four and winning the Western Conference in five games over third seed, Phoenix.
They then had to travel across the county to New Jersey where the Devils were waiting with veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur and the size that many thought would stop the Kings’ run. The Kings continued their supremacy on the road taking the first two games in New Jersey improving their road playoff record to 10-0 in 2012. When the series shifted to Los Angeles and the Kings came away with a 4-0 win that most thought would be the end of the Devils. But the Devils fought out two wins in games four and five.
A Los Angeles Kings jersey adorns the Magic Johnson statue outside Staples Center during game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Shelly Castellano/Icon SMI 740/Shelly Castellano/Icon SMI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: iconphotosthree257124
Colin Hanks seen arriving to the Staples Centre to watch the LA Kings play in game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final in Los Angeles. Greg Tidwell, PacificCoastNews/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: pacificphotos747708
The Staples Center had more of a concerned feeling to start game six, as everyone knew if the Kings couldn’t close out the series in game six they would probably let the cup slip away, just like it had with the illegal stick in 1993.
Unlike in 1993, it was not the Kings called for a back-breaking penalty, it was Devils right wing Steve Bernier who took a major boarding penalty on his hit of Rob Scuderi. The kings took full advantage of the 5 minute power play, scoring three goals and all but ending the game. Kings Goaltender Jonathan Quick had played solid all playoff so with a three goal lead, and later four goal lead, the party got started early in the LA stands.
New Jersey Devils right wing Steve Bernier (18) checks Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi and was given a five minute major for game misconduct in the first period during game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals , Monday, June 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. Keith Birmingham/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosfive451329
Los Angeles Kings' Trevor Lewis shoots the puck past New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur for a goal in the first period during Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on Monday, June 11, 2012. Rose Palmisano/MCT/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: krtphotoslive555215
Los Angeles Kings' Trevor Lewis (3rd L) celebrates his goal with teammates Dwight King (2nd L), Mike Richards (R), and Alec Martinez (C) as New Jersey Devils Andy Greene (L) looks on during the first period in game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Los Angeles, June 11, 2012. ALEX GALLARDO/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive298965
Kings fans go crazy as the LA Kings score their 3rd goal in the first period at the ESPN zone at the Nokia center. Gene Blevins/ZUMA Press/Newscom. zumawireworldphotosfive452970
Fans celebrate outside Staples Center after the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup in Los Angeles, California June 11, 2012. The Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup for the first time in the team's 45-year history by defeating the New Jersey Devils 4-2 in the best-of-seven series on Monday. MARIO ANZUONI/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive299146
As the clock hit 00:00 the players themselves started the party and after the handshake between the two teams, the awards made their way onto the ice starting with the Conn Smythe which went to Quick who became the third American winner of the trophy for playoff MVP. Maybe now the LA newscasters will remember his name.
Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) celebrates with his daughter, Madison , and the Conn Smythe trophy for the MVP of the playoffs at the end of game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the New Jersey Devils at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on June 11, 2012. The Kings won 6-1. LORI SHEPLER/UPI/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: upiphotostwo166353
Kings captain Dustin Brown then hoisted the Cup above his head and passed it around to all the teammates as they fans stayed around long after the game cheering as the players shared the cup with friends and family on the LA ice. That was just the start of the party as everyone will get their day with the Cup over the summer and who knows exactly where it will go or what they will do with it. But they have waited a lifetime for that day, it will never be forgotten.
For more photos of the Stanley Cup Champion Kings including the celebrity fans in attendance check out Newscom.
Los Angeles Kings' Dustin Brown holds his son in the Stanley Cup after his team defeated the New Jersey Devils during Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey final in Los Angeles, June 11, 2012. LUCY NICHOLSON/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive299089
The Kings' Trevor Lewis hoists the Stanley Cup after their victory over the Devils. Rose Palmisano/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosfive453282
Los Angeles Kings' Mike Richards (L) and Anze Kopitar hoist the Stanley Cup after their team defeated the New Jersey Devils in Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey final in Los Angeles, June 11, 2012. LUCY NICHOLSON/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive299088
Kings' players pose with the Stanley Cup after they beat the Devils 6-1 in Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Staples Center June 11, 2012. Andy Holzman/La Daily News/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosfive452904
Los Angeles Kings' Rob Scuderi (7) celebrates with the Stanley Cup in the locker room after the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1 in Game Six of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California June 11, 2012. The Kings won the series 4-2. POOL/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive299154
Los Angeles Kings' Kyle Clifford hold the cup after beating the New Jersey Devils 6-1 in game 6 to win the Stanley Cup , Monday, June 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. Keith Birmingham/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosfive451569
You may also be interested in these other posts on FocalPoint:
Athletes in Focus: Drew Doughty
2012 UEFA European Championship
Tags: Championship, LA Kings, Los Angeles, NHL, NHL Playoffs, Stanley Cup