2001 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7 New Jersey vs. Colorado June 9, 2001

This was the other Game 7 I was referring to that has perhaps the best compilation of Hall of Famers to ever participate in a championship clinching game. For New Jersey names like; Brodeur, Niedermayer, Stevens, Elias. For Colorado names like; Roy, Sakic, Forsberg, Bourque. This was no doubt a game for the ages. New Jersey was up 3 games to 2, but couldn’t finish it in their home rink losing game 6 4-0. Colorado was determined to win one not only as a team, but for defensemen Ray Bourque who was participating in his only Stanley Cup of his career.

With Patrick Roy in net for the Avalanche and Martin Brodeur for New Jersey, it looked as if the storyline was going to be who would outshine who in the net. Both are considered one of the best of all time. Brodeur was tested early and often by the Avalanche who scored quickly in the first period thanks to forward Alex Tanguay. Tanguay would add another goal in the second off a rebound from a Joe Sakic break away. Sakic scored the game winner with a wicked wrister on the power play over the shoulder of Brodeur.

New Jersey would score a goal by Petr Sykora on a power play, but Roy was fantastic in net for the Avs. It was great to see two great goaltenders go at it, but even better to see a great defensemen win his first Stanley Cup in his only appearance in the Finals. Raymond Bourque went out on top to finish his career. Boston Bruins fans were watching his every move in Colorado when he was dealt in the middle of the 2000 season. You will probably never see that happen where an opposing team will root for another to win so that one of their all time greats gets his first Cup. It was truly a sight to see as we saw a great matchup in net with a great storyline to wrap it all up.