STANLEY STAYS !

THE TEAM WITH THE STANLEY CUP

Capping an emotional season, the Red Wings surround
Vladimir Konstantinov and the Stanley Cup.


 They are the Champs,  Stanley stays home here in HOCKEYTOWN!!!
The Detroit Red Wings became the first team to win consecutive Stanley Cups since 1992, completing a sweep of the Washington Capitals with a 4-1 victory Tuesday night behind a two-goal performance by Doug Brown. Steve Yzerman       Steve Yzerman got his hands on the Stanley Cup ... then walked away with the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Chris Osgood         Maybe now Chris Osgood will get some respect in Detroit.		 The Red Wings' second straight sweep also gave Scotty Bowman a record-tying eighth Stanley Cup as a coach and capped an emotional and tumultuous season that followed the team's first championship in 42 years.

Six days after the 1997 celebration started, it tragically ended in a automobile accident that left defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov with severe head injuries.

"Vladie's spirit was present in us all season long," winger Vyacheslav Kozlov said.

"Victory No. 16 for No. 16," added Vyacheslav Fetisov, referring to Konstantinov's jersey number and the number of games necessary to win the NHL title.

"This is for this man, who will run and walk again," Fetisov said, his hand on the shoulder of Konstantinov, who was brought down to the ice in a wheelchair for the celebration.

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Vladimir Konstantinov         Conn Smythe winner Steve Yzerman brings the Stanley Cup to teammate Vladimir Konstantinov.
Kirk Maltby           Washington Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig gets a face full of ice while defending a shot from Detroit Red Wings left wing Kirk Maltby.

  ~Photos and Article clips are from the Associated Press © 1998

 

Here at Sixthhour, we would like to congratulate the Detroit Red Wings on there Victory.  Get more highlights and the full story from the Official Detroit Red Wings Web Site: http://www.detroitredwings.com