June 9, 2001 – Game 7. That’s all you need to mention for Avalanche fans to break out in a smile. This was an historic day in Avalanche history as Denver’s newest sports darlings captured their second Stanley Cup with a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils, thanks in part to a two-goal performance from Alex Tanguay. Fans will remember seeing Joe Sakic hand Ray Bourque the Stanley Cup for the first time in his final game, a fairytale ending to his illustrious career. Moments no one involved will surely ever forget.
To commemorate the anniversary, the Avalanche tweeted out a picture on Tuesday morning in remembrance of this feat 14 years ago today.
On this day in 2001, Mission: Accomplished! #16W pic.twitter.com/m66kEJTkAY
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 9, 2015
With the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals in full swing and the Avalanche focused on the NHL Draft , it’s hard not to remember some of those magical moments from 1996 and 2001.
Here are game highlights from that Game 7, featuring one of the best hockey commentates around, Gary Thorne.
And another video of the iconic moment where Joe Sakic hands Bourque the Stanley Cup!
It’s amazing to think that this upcoming season will mark the 20th anniversary of the Avalanche in Colorado after relocating from Quebec. From the start, Avalanche fans were treated to success that often takes teams years to achieve, winning the first of their two Stanley Cups with a four game sweep against the Florida Panthers in the team’s first year in Denver.
9NEWS says this 20th year anniversary will be extra special for the Avalanche as they will host their arch rival Detroit Red Wings in the outdoor Stadium Series at Coors Field, next February. Still feeling nostalgic? Well, Avalanche fans can visit Colorado’s Stephen H. Hart Library and Research Center to see the collection of Avalanche artifacts that include placards, posters and apparel.
While the recent past has not seen the Avalanche make a deep run in the playoffs, the future is very bright. Patrick Roy, an Avalanche legend who has always been an intense competitor, is coming into his third season as head coach and with a core group of young players that includes Nathan MacKinnon, Matt Duchene and captain Gabriel Landeskog, the recipe for success is there.
Sammy Mugharbil, a Mile High Sports intern and student at MSU-Denver contributed to this report.