Kings bring second Stanley Cup Title to L.A.
Listen to this articlePicture above: The Los Angeles Kings Meet the New York Rangers for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final
in Madison Square Garden, New York City. June 9, 2014 — Photo by Claudia Gestro
With almost 15 minutes spent in the second overtime period, the Staples Center erupted in a deafening roar as Alec Martinez ended game five of the Stanley Cup Final with a rebound goal off a shot by Tyler Toffoli that was blocked by Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.
It was one of the strongest games the Kings and Rangers played in this series, going to double overtime as both teams and their goalies stopped one shot after another. The Kings, as usual, had far more shots on goal than the Rangers and it’s a testament to Henrik Lundqvist’s ability as a goalie that the Kings didn’t win this in regulation.
The Rangers scored two goals in the second period to lead after two periods, but the Kings tied it in the third and the game was sent into overtime.
The play was fast and physical and everyone in the Staples Center was exhausted when the first overtime ended, still tied at 2 a piece.
So it went to the second OT. Again neither team relented on their defense, but with about 5 minutes left in the period, Alec Martinez was at the right spot in front of the net so that when Toffoli’s shot bounced off Henrik Lundqvist, he could win the game — and the Stanley Cup — with the 51st shot of the night.
(Photo by Claudia Gestro)
This is the second Stanley Cup for the Kings in three years and it’s safe to say the L.A. Kings are one of the NHL’s elite teams and could be the next sports dynasty. The most notable trait of the Kings is their depth: 16 of 18 Kings who played during the Playoffs socred points; a dozen Kings scored at least one goal. Then there is goalie Jonathan Quick. Throughout the playoffs he kept the Kings’ opponents scoreless in every third period and overtime period, an incredible feat for any goalie.
(Photo by Claudia Gestro)
This was the biggest game for the New York Rangers and it showed in the first two periods. Although at the end of the first period the L.A. Kings were leading, 1-0. Thanks to the great defense by the Rangers that the Kings only scored one goal. As has been the case in nearly every game of this Stanley Cup Final, the Kings had far more shots on the goal than the Rangers. New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist earned his paycheck in every period.
The Rangers came back in the second period, scoring two goals, getting out ahead of the Kings. But that wouldn’t hold for the Rangers as Marian Gaborik scored for the Kings, tying the game at two a piece. The big difference in the second period being the discrepancy in shooting: the Rangers only took two shots at the net while the Kings took over a dozen.
(Photo by Claudia Gestro)
For the third time in this Final, a game went to overtime. The Kings dominated the puck, sending it to the net a number of times, but the Rangers bounced back and took some shots as well, getting a power play in the process.
Ryan McDonagh of the Rangers nearly ended the game when he took a shot that got past Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. But it bounced off the post and the Kings fans cheered. Tanner Pearson took two shots on the Rangers net and his second shot bounced off the cross bar. The game was just that exciting.
No matter how hard they played, neither team could score a goal in that first OT period so the game went to a second OT period.
The Kings set some records in this post season: they are the first to play 26 games and win the Stanley Cup. They are the first to win three game sevens on the road in the same post season and win the Cup. And two-thirds of their skaters scored goals in the post season.
(Photo by Claudia Gestro)
Several of the Kings players were considered for the Con Smythe Trophy, including goalie Jonathan Quick, who won it in 2012, and rookie Tyler Toffoli. But fittingly, it went to the leading scorer in the Final, Justin Williams.
Congratulations to the L.A. Kings for winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in one of the most thrilling post seasons in NHL history.
(Photo by Claudia Gestro)
Claudia is of Peruvian and Italian descent, having been born in a small town, in the North of Peru, South America. She was raised by her grandmother from an early age, living in poverty until Claudia’s mother brought her to America. She landed in Miami, FL and started her new life, playing high school basketball and eventually becoming a United States citizen. Claudia completed her education at Florida International University with a BA in Broadcast Journalism and became a model to supplement her income. Since graduating from FIU Claudia has worked with many of the Spanish Language broadcasting companies, including Telemundo, Univision and most recently Spanish Language channels on SiriusXM satellite radio and PasTV Deportes in Venezuela.She encourages you to follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Her content appears here under a shared content agreement with her Spanish television clients.