Keith, Chicago Win Third Stanley Cup in Six Seasons

In the end, it was Michigan State beating Maine on the biggest goal of the Stanley Cup Final to close out the 2014-15 hockey season.

Former MSU defenseman Duncan Keith put home his own rebound against former Black Bear goaltender Ben Bishop with 2:47 remaining in the second period for the game-winning score as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-0, in Game 6 on Monday night. The Blackhawks won their third Cup in six seasons, and first at home since 1938.

Patrick Kane closed out the scoring late in the final frame, and Corey Crawford notched the shutout on 25 saves as Chicago again took the Cup in six games. The Hawks did so in 2010 against the Philadelphia Flyers, and then again two years ago versus the Boston Bruins.

Keith was the unanimous selection for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL's playoff MVP, tallying three goals and 18 assists for 21 points in 23 games, while skating more than 700 minutes in the postseason, according to the Associated Press, including over 30 minutes last night. The Winnipeg native skated at MSU from 2001 to 2002, notching 24 points in 56 games for the Spartans, and has also won Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2010 and 2014. 

Keith tied Chris Chelios for the most points by a Blackhawks defenseman in a single postseason. He is also the first defenseman to claim the Conn Smythe since Hall of Fame blueliner Scott Niedermayer did so with Anaheim in 2007, according to NHL.com.

Bishop, who backstopped the Black Bears from 2005 to 2008 and fashioned a 55-35-7 record in NCAA competition, made 30 saves on Monday night at the United Center as the Lightning tried to force a Game 7. He went 1-3-0 in the final, having been lifted in Tampa Bay's Game 2 win for what was finally revealed last night as a groin tear.

The Hawks will celebrate their latest Cup victory with a parade on Thursday, led by captain Jonathan Toews (North Dakota). Other former NCAA players hoisting the Cup with Chicago this spring include Scott Darling (Maine), Patrick Sharp (Vermont) and Trevor van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire).

Chicago Takes 3-2 Lead in Stanley Cup Final

The Chicago Blackhawks are one win from their third Stanley Cup championship in six years.

The visitors held on for a 2-1 win tonight over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in Florida in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Chicago now leads the best-of-seven series, three games to two, having won the last two games.

Chicago forward Patrick Sharp (Vemont) opened the scoring Saturday with his first goal in 14 games, putting the puck into an empty net after Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop (Maine) came out to play it and collided with defenseman Victor Hedberg in the faceoff circle. It was Sharp's first goal since May 3 against Minnesota in the second round of the NHL playoffs.

The Lightning knotted matters in the second stanza as Jason Garrison (Minnesota-Duluth) set up Valteri Filppula from the left point to the right side; but the Blackhawks went back ahead for good as Antoine Vermette followed up a rebound exactly two minutes into the final frame.

Bishop finished with 27 saves for Tampa Bay, which outshot Chicago, 32-29, but has now lost two consecutive contests for the first time in this series. The Lightning, who won Games 2 and 3, and claimed their only previous Cup in 2004, will attempt to stay alive with a victory in Game 6 on Monday (8 p.m. ET, NBC) at the United Center in Chicago.

The Blackhawks last won a Cup on home ice in 1938. Game 7, if necessary, would be Wednesday night in Tampa.

Tampa Bay Takes 2-1 Series Lead

Duncan Keith (Michigan State) assisted on the go-ahead goal for the host Chicago Blackhawks in the third period—but the Tampa Bay Lightning responded with the tying marker just 13 seconds later, and then potted the game-winner with just over three minutes remaining in regulation Monday in a 3-2 win in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Final.

Ondrej Palat tied the contest for Tampa Bay 4:27 into the final frame, before Cedric Paquette chipped home the winner 12 minutes later. Ryan Callahan scored the Lightning’s first goal, while Brad Richards (power play) and Brandon Saad connected for Chicago on the night.

Chicago defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire) played his first game for the Blackhawks since injuring his knee in November. Ben Bishop (Maine) finished with 36 saves in net for the Lightning, who won for the 8^th time in 11 road games this spring. Game 4 of the NHL's marquee series is Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN) in Chicago.