1996 Stanley Cup Finals

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1996 Stanley Cup Finals
1996 NHL Season.jpg
1234 Total
Florida Panthers 1120*** 0
Colorado Avalanche 3831*** 4
* indicates overtime period
Location(s)Miami: Miami Arena (3, 4)
Denver: McNichols Sports Arena (1, 2)
CoachesFlorida: Doug MacLean
Colorado: Marc Crawford
CaptainsFlorida: Brian Skrudland
Colorado: Joe Sakic
National anthemsFlorida: Aaron Bergell
Colorado: Jim Salestrom
RefereesBill McCreary (1, 4)
Don Koharski (2)
Andy Van Hellemond (3)
DatesJune 4 – June 11
MVPJoe Sakic (Avalanche)
Series-winning goalUwe Krupp (4:31, 3OT, G4)
Hall of FamersAvalanche:
Peter Forsberg (2014)
Patrick Roy (2006)
Joe Sakic (2012)
NetworksCBC (Canada-English), Fox (United States-games 1, 3), ESPN (United States-games 2, 4)
AnnouncersBob Cole and Harry Neale (CBC)
Mike Emrick and John Davidson (Fox)
Gary Thorne and Bill Clement (ESPN)
  • ← 1995
  • Stanley Cup Finals
  • 1997 →

The 1996 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1995–96 season, and the culmination of the 1996 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Western Conference champion Colorado Avalanche and the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers, two teams in the Finals for the first time. Colorado defeated Florida in a four-game sweep to win their first Stanley Cup becoming the seventh post-1967 expansion team and the second former WHA team (after the Edmonton Oilers) to win the Cup. Colorado's Joe Sakic earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the 1996 Playoffs.

It was Colorado's first appearance in the Finals, in only their first season in Denver since moving from Quebec City (where they had formerly played as the Nordiques) in 1995. It was also Florida's first appearance in the Finals, in only the franchise's third season since entering the NHL in 1993. Only four other teams have made their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance faster: the Toronto Arenas winning the Stanley Cup in the NHL inaugural season in 1917–18, the St. Louis Blues in their debut season in 1967–68 (they lost the 1968 Finals to the Montreal Canadiens), the Vegas Golden Knights in their inaugural year in 2017–18, and the 1928 Cup-winning New York Rangers (who were in their second season of play, having been formed for the 1926–27 season). This was also the first time since the formation of the NHL in 1917 that the two teams competing for the Cup were making their first Finals appearance.

Paths to the Final[]

Colorado defeated the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings in six games each to advance to the Finals.

Florida defeated the Boston Bruins in five games, the Philadelphia Flyers in six, and the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven.

Game summaries[]

Game one[]

June 4 Florida Panthers 1–3 Colorado Avalanche McNichols Sports Arena

The series opened on June 4, at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver. Patrick Roy was in goal for Colorado, and John Vanbiesbrouck was between the pipes for Florida (a rematch from the 1986 Wales Conference Finals when Roy was with the Montreal Canadiens and Vanbiesbrouck was with the New York Rangers). Although Colorado was the heavy favorite in the series, Florida got on the board first on Tom Fitzgerald's goal at 16:51 of the first period. That would be all the Panthers would get, however, as Colorado scored three times within five minutes in the second period. Scott Young scored at 10:32, Mike Ricci scored at 12:21, and Uwe Krupp scored at 14:21. The Avalanche went on to win the game 3–1, with Roy making 25 saves in the victory.

Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st FLA Tom Fitzgerald (4) Bill Lindsay (5) 16:51 1–0 FLA
2nd COL Scott Young (3) Adam Deadmarsh (9), Sylvain Lefebvre (5) 10:32 1–1
COL Mike Ricci (6) Sandis Ozolinsh (13), Mike Keane (2) 12:21 2–1 COL
COL Uwe Krupp (3) Valeri Kamensky (11), Peter Forsberg (10) 14:21 3–1 COL
3rd None
Penalty summary
Period Team Player Penalty Time PIM
1st FLA Scott Mellanby Roughing 09:12 2:00
FLA Brian Skrudland Roughing 09:21 2:00
COL Uwe Krupp High-sticking 13:46 2:00
COL Alexei Gusarov Holding 18:15 2:00
2nd FLA Robert Svehla Interference 00:41 2:00
FLA Bill Lindsay Roughing 07:56 2:00
COL Mike Ricci Roughing 15:31 2:00
FLA Robert Svehla Roughing 17:39 2:00
COL Mike Ricci Goaltender interference 18:30 2:00
3rd COL Joe Sakic Holding 03:35 2:00
FLA Terry Carkner Slashing 09:55 2:00
FLA John Vanbiesbrouck Slashing 13:46 2:00
FLA Ed Jovanovski Roughing 19:42 2:00

Game two[]

June 6 Florida Panthers 1–8 Colorado Avalanche McNichols Sports Arena

Peter Forsberg got the Avalanche on the board first in game two, scoring an unassisted goal at 4:11 of the first period. The Panthers tied the game on Stu Barnes' power-play goal at 7:52. Rene Corbet broke the 1–1 tie with a power-play goal at 10:43, and then Forsberg scored two power-play goals of his own at 13:46 and 15:05 to complete the hat trick. Colorado led 4–1 after just one period. The Avalanche would make it 5–1 with Corbet's second goal of the game at 4:37 of the second period. Valeri Kamensky followed with a goal just 31 seconds later, and Jon Klemm scored at 10:03 to give Colorado a dominating 7–1 lead after two periods. Klemm would add another goal at 17:28 of the third period. It was the Avalanche's fourth power-play goal of the game. Colorado won the game 8–1, with three players scoring at least twice.

Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st COL Peter Forsberg (8) Unassisted 04:11 1–0 COL
FLA Stu Barnes (6) – pp Dave Lowry (7), Ed Jovanovski (7) 07:52 1–1
COL Rene Corbet (2) – pp Scott Young (12), Joe Sakic (13) 10:43 2–1 COL
COL Peter Forsberg (9) – pp Joe Sakic (14), Sandis Ozolinsh (14) 13:46 3–1 COL
COL Peter Forsberg (10) – pp Joe Sakic (15), Adam Deadmarsh (10) 15:05 4–1 COL
2nd COL Rene Corbet (3) Unassisted 04:37 5–1 COL
COL Valeri Kamensky (10) Alexei Gusarov (8), Adam Deadmarsh (11) 05:08 6–1 COL
COL Jon Klemm (1) Rene Corbet (2), Uwe Krupp (12) 10:03 7–1 COL
3rd COL Jon Klemm (2) – pp Joe Sakic (16) 17:28 8–1 COL
Penalty summary
Period Team Player Penalty Time PIM
1st COL Adam Deadmarsh Roughing 05:53 2:00
FLA Bill Lindsay Slashing 08:55 2:00
FLA Terry Carkner Roughing 12:51 2:00
FLA John Vanbiesbrouck Interference 14:50 2:00
2nd COL Sylvain Lefebvre Holding 06:26 2:00
COL Warren Rychel Roughing 17:01 2:00
3rd COL Valeri Kamensky High-sticking (double-minor) 03:11 4:00
COL Curtis Leschyshyn Charging 07:28 2:00
COL Valeri Kamensky Slashing 07:28 2:00
FLA Ed Jovanovski Roughing 07:28 2:00
COL Warren Rychel Instigator 09:39 2:00
COL Warren Rychel Fighting – major 09:39 5:00
COL Warren Rychel Game misconduct 09:39 10:00
FLA Ed Jovanovski Fighting – major 09:39 5:00
FLA Paul Laus Goaltender interference 11:42 2:00
FLA Scott Mellanby Roughing 16:09 2:00

Game three[]

June 8 Colorado Avalanche 3–2 Florida Panthers Miami Arena

The Avalanche went to the Miami Arena in Florida with a 2–0 series lead. Claude Lemieux, back after his two-game suspension, scored the first goal of the game at 2:44 of the first period to give Colorado a 1–0 lead. Florida played determinedly, however, and tied the game on Ray Sheppard's power-play goal at 9:14. Rob Niedermayer scored at 11:19 to give the Panthers their second lead of the series. The score was 2–1 Florida after one period. At 1:38 of the second period, Colorado's Mike Keane scored a game-tying goal. Captain Joe Sakic scored the go-ahead goal just 82 seconds later, and Colorado went on to win 3–2 and take a commanding three-games-to-none lead in the series. Patrick Roy made 32 saves in the win.

Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st COL Claude Lemieux (5) Valeri Kamensky (12), Peter Forsberg (11) 02:44 1–0 COL
FLA Ray Sheppard (8) – pp Martin Straka (2), Ed Jovanovski (8) 09:14 1–1
FLA Rob Niedermayer (5) Scott Mellanby (6), Johan Garpenlov (2) 11:19 2–1 FLA
2nd COL Mike Keane (3) Adam Foote (3), Alexei Gusarov (9) 01:38 2–2
COL Joe Sakic (18) Adam Deadmarsh (12), Curtis Leschyshyn (2) 03:00 3–2 COL
3rd None
Penalty summary
Period Team Player Penalty Time PIM
1st COL Adam Deadmarsh Hooking 07:40 2:00
COL Adam Foote Roughing 12:49 2:00
FLA Dave Lowry Roughing 12:49 2:00
2nd None
3rd None

Game four[]

June 10 Colorado Avalanche 1–0 3OT Florida Panthers Miami Arena

With their backs to the wall, the Panthers played a defensive game. Florida goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck went save for save with Colorado goaltender Patrick Roy. The two teams played a marathon game that took until the third overtime period. Uwe Krupp's unassisted goal at 4:31 ended 44 minutes and 31 seconds of overtime and gave the Avalanche a 1–0 win and a four-game series sweep. Goaltender Patrick Roy stopped all 63 shots he faced. Colorado outscored Florida 15–4 in the series, and Patrick Roy stopped 147 of 151 shots, for a save percentage of .974. Joe Sakic was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, having led all skaters in goals with 18, and points with 34. For both Patrick Roy and Claude Lemieux, it was one of their three Stanley Cup wins in 11 years. Roy and Lemieux first won the Cup in 1986 with the Montreal Canadiens. Roy won a second Cup with Montreal in 1993. Lemieux won a second cup with New Jersey in 1995.

The Avalanche became the third team to win the cup after relocating: the 1989 Calgary Flames won the Cup after moving from Atlanta and the New Jersey Devils in 1995 won the Cup 13 years after they played their last game in the same city and same arena that the Avs played in as the Colorado Rockies.

Scoring summary
Period Team Goal Assist(s) Time Score
1st None
2nd None
3rd None
OT None
2nd OT None
3rd OT COL Uwe Krupp (4) Unassisted 04:31 1–0 COL
Penalty summary
Period Team Player Penalty Time PIM
1st FLA Robert Svehla Roughing 18:51 2:00
2nd COL Valeri Kamensky Hooking 05:21 2:00
COL Sandis Ozolinsh Roughing 05:21 2:00
FLA Rob Niedermayer Roughing 05:21 2:00
COL Adam Foote Roughing 09:28 2:00
FLA Ed Jovanovski Cross checking 12:27 2:00
COL Curtis Leschyshyn Hooking 15:33 2:00
COL Mike Ricci Roughing 18:05 2:00
FLA Stu Barnes Roughing 18:05 2:00
3rd FLA John Vanbiesbrouck Interference 05:15 2:00
COL Claude Lemieux High-sticking 06:29 2:00
OT COL Sandis Ozolinsh Roughing 13:04 2:00
FLA Johan Garpenlov Roughing 13:04 2:00
2nd OT COL Claude Lemieux Roughing 09:57 2:00
FLA Brian Skrudland Slashing 09:57 2:00

Team rosters[]

Bolded years under Finals appearance indicates year won Stanley Cup.

Colorado Avalanche[]

# Nat Player Position Hand Acquired Place of birth Finals appearance
35 Canada Stephane Fiset G L 1988 Montreal, Quebec first (did not play)
33 Canada Patrick Roy G L 1995–96 Quebec City, Quebec fourth (1986, 1989, 1993)
2 Canada Sylvain LefebvreA D L 1994–95 Richmond, Quebec first
4 Germany Uwe Krupp D R 1994–95 Cologne, West Germany first
5 Russia Alexei Gusarov D L 1988 Leningrad, Soviet Union first
6 United States Craig WolaninA D L 1989–90 Grosse Pointe, Michigan first (did not play)
7 Canada Curtis LeschyshynA D L 1988 Thompson, Manitoba first
8 Latvia Sandis Ozolinsh D L 1995–96 Riga, Soviet Union first
24 Canada Jon Klemm D R 1991–92 Cranbrook, British Columbia first
52 Canada Adam Foote D R 1988 Toronto, Ontario first
9 Canada Mike RicciA C L 1991–92 Scarborough, Ontario first
10 Canada Troy Murray C R 1995–96 Calgary, Alberta first (did not play)
12 Canada Chris Simon LW L 1992–93 Wawa, Ontario first (did not play)
13 Russia Valeri Kamensky LW R 1988 Voskresensk, Soviet Union first
14 Canada Dave Hannan C/LW L 1995–96 Onaping Falls, Ontario second (1988)
16 Canada Warren Rychel LW L 1995–96 Strathroy, Ontario second (1993)
18 United States Adam Deadmarsh RW R 1993 Trail, British Columbia first
19 Canada Joe SakicC C L 1987 Burnaby, British Columbia first
20 Canada Rene Corbet LW R 1991 Victoriaville, Quebec first
21 Sweden Peter Forsberg C L 1994–95 Örnsköldsvik, Sweden first
22 Canada Claude Lemieux RW R 1995–96 Buckingham, Quebec fourth (1986, 1989, 1995)
25 Canada Mike Keane RW R 1995–96 Winnipeg, Manitoba third (1989, 1993)
26 Canada Stephane Yelle C L 1993–94 Ottawa, Ontario first
48 United States Scott Young RW R 1992–93 Clinton, Massachusetts second (1991)

Florida Panthers[]

# Nat Player Position Hand Acquired Place of birth Finals appearance
30 Canada Mark Fitzpatrick G L 1993–94 Toronto, Ontario first
34 United States John Vanbiesbrouck G L 1993–94 Detroit, Michigan first
2 Canada Terry Carkner D L 1995–96 Smiths Falls, Ontario first
3 Canada Paul Laus D R 1993–94 Beamsville, Ontario first
5 Canada Gord MurphyA D R 1993–94 Willowdale, Ontario first
6 Canada Jason Woolley D L 1994–95 Toronto, Ontario first
23 Canada Rhett Warrener D R 1994 Shaunavon, Saskatchewan first
24 Slovakia Robert Svehla D R 1993–94 Martin, Czechoslovakia first
55 Canada Ed Jovanovski D L 1994 Windsor, Ontario first
10 Canada Dave Lowry LW L 1993–94 Sudbury, Ontario first
11 United States Bill Lindsay LW L 1993–94 Bigfork, Montana first
12 Canada Jody Hull RW R 1993–94 Petrolia, Ontario first
14 Canada Stu Barnes C R 1993–94 Spruce Grove, Alberta first
18 Canada Mike Hough LW L 1993–94 Montreal, Quebec first
9 Czech Republic Radek Dvorak RW R 1995 Tábor, Czechoslovakia first
20 Canada Brian SkrudlandC C L 1993–94 Peace River, Alberta third (1986, 1989)
21 United States Tom Fitzgerald RW R 1993–94 Billerica, Massachusetts first
26 Canada Ray Sheppard RW R 1995–96 Pembroke, Ontario second (1995)
27 Canada Scott MellanbyA RW R 1993–94 Montreal, Quebec second (1987)
28 Czech Republic Martin Straka C L 1995–96 Plzeň, Czechoslovakia first
29 Sweden Johan Garpenlov LW L 1995–96 Stockholm, Sweden first
44 Canada Rob Niedermayer C L 1993 Cassiar, British Columbia first

Stanley Cup engraving[]

The 1996 Stanley Cup was presented to Avalanche captain Joe Sakic by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman following the Avalanche's 1–0 triple overtime win over the Panthers in game four.

The following Avalanche players and staff had their names engraved on the Stanley Cup

1995–96 Colorado Avalanche

Players

  Centres
  Wingers
  Defencemen
  Goaltenders

Coaching and administrative staff

  • Charlie Lyons (Chairman/Chief Executive Officer/Owner/President/Governor), Pierre Lacroix (Vice President/General Manager), Marc Crawford (Head Coach)
  • Joel Quenneville (Asst. Coach), Jacques Cloutier (Goaltending Coach), Francois Giguere (Asst. General Manager)
  • Michel Goulet (Director of Player Personnel), Dave Draper (Chief Scout), Jean Martineau (Director of Public Relations)
  • Pat Karns (Athletic Trainer), Matthew Sokolowski (Asst. Trainer), Rob McLean (Equipment Manager)
  • Mike Kramer (Asst. Equipment Manager), Brock Gibbins (Asst. Equipment Manager), Skip Allen (Strength-Conditioning Coach)
  • Paul Fixter (Video Coordinator), Leo Vyssokov (Massage Therapist)

Note:

  • Sandis Ozolinsh was first Latvian born and trained player to win the Stanley Cup.
  • Uwe Krupp was first the German born and trained player to win the Stanley Cup.

Stanley Cup engravings[]

Adam Deadmarsh's name was misspelled ADAM DEADMARCH. This mistake was corrected by stamping an "S" over the "C" twice. Deadmarsh's name was the first player's name to be corrected on the Presentation Stanley Cup.

Broadcasting[]

In Canada, the series was televised on CBC. In the United States, this was the second year that coverage was split between Fox and ESPN. Fox broadcast games 1 and 3 while ESPN televised games 2 and 4. The Stanley Cup-clinching game thus aired on cable. Had the series extended, Fox would have televised games 5 and 7, and ESPN would have aired game 6.

See also[]

References[]

  • Diamond, Dan (2000). Total Stanley Cup. NHL.
  • Podnieks, Andrew; Hockey Hall of Fame (2004). Lord Stanley's Cup. Triumph Books. ISBN 978-1-55168-261-7.
Preceded by
New Jersey Devils
1995
Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup Champions

1996
Succeeded by
Detroit Red Wings
1997
Retrieved from ""