The Chicago Blackhawks finally got rid of the most unwanted record in ice hockey by winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1961.

It was the longest run without lifting the famous trophy in the history of the game in the US. That record now passes to my favourite team in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have failed to win a Stanley Cup since 1967.

The Blackhawks won the best of seven game series 4-2 after a tense 4-3 win in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers in Philadelphia. The Conn Smythe Trophy for Most Valuable Player rightly went to Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, who scored seven goals and provided 22 assists in the play-offs, including one for Chicago’s opener in last night’s game.

Despite being one of the most famous names in hockey, up there with the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago haven’t made much of an impact on the Stanley Cup. They will be glad to get that monkey off their back.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs will now be desperate to pass the mantle on to the Boston Bruins whose last Stanley Cup victory was in 1972. They have their work cut out, however, as their form and performances in recent seasons has been poor.

They finished last in the North East Division and the Eastern Conference with a record of 30 wins and 38 losses, conceding 268 goals in the process, scoring just 214.

In contrast, the Blackhawks finished second to San Jose in the Western Conference winning 52, losing 22 and scoring 271, conceding 209. The gap is, in hockey terms, massive.

Chicago’s opponents in the Stanley Cup final, the Philadelphia Flyers, had overcome a three game deficit to the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference semi finals to progress but for them there was no fairytale ending.

Congratulations to the Blackhawks. I’ll leave the last word to MVP Toews:

“Oh my God, it’s like that commercial. I’m speechless. This team put on one heck of a run. We knew from Day 1 of this season we had the potential to do it. And to realize our goal, it’s an amazing feeling. There’s so many great things about winning a Stanley Cup. This is it. This is the best feeling you can ever get playing hockey, and I just can’t believe it’s happening.”