Congrats to the Tampa Bay Lightning on winning the 2020 Stanley Cup, seen here hoisted by Captain Steven Stamkos! The team's nickname is "The Bolts" and their fans are called "The Thunder." Now, because of Covid-19 restrictions, their fans call themselves "The Distant Thunder," LOL! I thought their revision was quite clever, all things considered.
My Rare One and I watched the entire Western Conference playoffs and the Stanley Cup Finals held here in our own Bubble City of Edmonton. It was so great to see live hockey on TV again!
Despite no fans being present because of the coronavirus and all the seats covered with tarps, the broadcast crew did an outstanding job of creating game excitement by the use of electronic graphics, simulated crowd noise and cheering, and standard musical clips usually heard at games. The only thing missing was the sound of booing for bad referee calls and for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman when he presented the Stanley Cup. Those traditions will just have to wait for the return of fans in the future!
I know the NHL hands out its own player awards, but here are MY AWARDS from the playoffs --
The "I Have a Thing for Goalies" Best Player Award:
Anton Khudobin (Russia), Dallas Stars.
Thatcher Demko (USA), Vancouver Canucks
The "I Love a Guy With a Big Schnozz" Award:
Milan Lucic (British Columbia), Calgary Flames