What others are saying about the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup victory
The Blackhawks' third Stanley Cup win in six years is obviously the talk of Chicago, but the NHL champions are also getting attention from people and publications far and wide, from Sports Illustrated to Lil Wayne. Here's a sampling:
With the Cup victory, the Blackhawks also won a spot on the national cover of Sports Illustrated, where the words “Modern Dynasty” stretched across a photo of Duncan Keith scoring on Ben Bishop. Here's an excerpt from an article by SI writer Sarah Kwak.
“Alarm bells sounded some two hours before the puck dropped on Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, warning of possible tornadoes near downtown Chicago. The specter of doom seemed to loom over the city, which had not seen the Cup lifted on home ice since 1938. Still, a standing room only crowd made it to the Madhouse on Madison just in case. Outside, the rain dropped in sheets, the thunder clapped like the Hammer of Thor, but within the walls of the United Center on Monday night, the Lightning never struck.
Tampa Bay, the NHL's highest scoring team this season, one that always believed its offense would come, left the ice empty-handed and empty-hearted. The Bolts fell to the Blackhawks, 2–0, and Chicago lifted its third Stanley Cup in six years. Dynasty may be too strong a word—how bout Dynasty Jr.?—but destiny is not.”
ESPN's Scott Burnside had high praise for the Blackhawks after their Game 6 victory.
“When the Stanley Cup finally made it onto the ice at the United Center, its arrival was accompanied by the strains of ‘Fanfare for the Common Man.'
“But while the majestic entrance was made for such a moment, make no mistake — there is nothing common whatsoever about the Chicago Blackhawks.”
Seth Gruen of Rolling Stone wrote that the Hawks' consistent success has roots in the front office's ability to adapt and keep quality players in the salary cap era — and because of that, there's no sign the Blackhawks' championship tally will end at three.
“While the players parade the Stanley Cup around Chicago and their hometowns this summer, the Blackhawks' brass will once again be tasked with figuring out how to remain competitive. It's paramount that they sign forward Brandon Saad to a long-term contract. He is a young key to this team's future.
On local postgame coverage last night, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman — named after the Stanley Cup, by the way — was asked about Saad. Appropriately, Bowman said he was going to enjoy this win. He'll worry about that later. Thing is, that's a guarantee. Bowman and the Blackhawks will worry about it. They will also figure it out. They always do. It's precisely why this dynasty is sure to keep going.”
Admiration for the Blackhawks didn't stop at the American border. Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star addressed the mysterious nature of why the Hawks are so difficult to defeat.
“There is something extra there. Something. The Chicago Blackhawks don't always win, because in this game the NHL is designed to pull down great teams the same way the league is designed to pull at great players, in every way. The Blackhawks may not run away from you. But they beat you. There's something there.”
Quite a few famous figures offered the Blackhawks congratulations in 140 characters or less.
“Congrats to my hometown @NHLBlackhawks on 3 titles in 6 years - we'll see you and The Cup at the White House!”
“Congrats to the @NHLBlackhawks! They are looking a lot like another dynasty and there is no better city than Chicago to enjoy it. #OneGoal”
-Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen)
“Kongrats to the Hawks man!!!! Crawford a monster”