Colorado Avalanche lifts Stanley Cup Final trophy after 21 years

• Avalanche won the Stanley Cup.
• Makar was named MVP of the Finals.
• He scored 8 goals and made 21 assists in 19 games.

Sunday marked the first time in 21 years that the Colorado Avalanche had won the Stanley Cup Final. Nathan MacKinnon scored one goal and assisted on another in a 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay.

The special moments. #GoAvGo pic.twitter.com/o8zBz80y3w

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 27, 2022

Four games to two, the Avalanche won the National Hockey League’s best-of-seven final series for Colorado’s third NHL championship after 1996 and 2001.

Read more: Tampa Bay Lightning ends Colorado Avalanche’s title chances

“It feels like disbelief,” MacKinnon said. “It’s hard to describe. To see all these warriors battle, it’s unbelievable. Words can’t describe what I feel right now.”

With the dramatic victory on the road, the Avalanche denied the Lightning their third consecutive and fourth overall championship.

Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player.

In 19 playoff games, Makar, a 23-year-old Canadian, scored eight goals and provided 21 assists.

“All the work these guys have put in, it’s just so awesome to be part of them getting rewarded,” Makar said. “I’m just so proud of the boys.”

He grinned while gazing at the Stanley Cup.

“You see that thing as a kid, grow up with pictures of it on the wall,” Makar said. “It’s surreal. It’s amazing.”

Minutes later, during a trophy presentation, Colorado players took turns lifting and distributing the trophy to teammates, with many pausing to kiss the hardware as they skated around the ice.

Read more: Stanley Cup: Avalanche thrashes Lightning to move one win closer to title

Gabriel Landeskog, captain of the Colorado Avalanche, reflected on people who helped him realize his championship aspirations as he skated with the Stanley Cup.

“That’s 20-plus years of dreaming and wanting it and working for it,” the Swedish left wing said. “It’s the culmination of a lot of years and working for it. It’s incredible. I still can’t believe it.”