Penguins Arrive In Pittsburgh After Winning Stanley Cup
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – It took contributions from everyone the roster, but the Pittsburgh Penguins have repeated as Stanley Cup champions.
With a 2-0 win in Game 6 on the road, the Penguins claimed their fifth Stanley Cup title in franchise history.
KDKA's John Shumway Reports:
The team celebrated with the Cup on Nashville's ice and in the locker room, but now it's time to celebrate here in Pittsburgh.
The team returned to town Monday afternoon, arriving at Atlantic Aviation through a traditional hero shower from firefighters. A group of family and friends were on hand to greet them.
Boarding the championship plane with the #stanleycup. Priceless! @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/16h3EQf4Ol
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) June 12, 2017
Head coach Mike Sullivan was the first person off the plane and he hoisted the Stanley Cup high over his head.
Behind him, the teams hierarchy from Mario Lemieux, to General Manager Jim Rutherford to team President David Morehouse.
The came the players. Goaltenders Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray received the loudest cheers from the crowd.
"It's great. We expected them. We have some great fans in Pittsburgh, and I'm sure the next couple days we'll be getting a lot of support," said center Nick Bonino.
As for who took it home? The Stanley Cup was loaded into Sidney Crosby's vehicle.
"It's not too bad," said Crosby of the 35 pounds the Cup weighs. "It's pretty light when you lift it, that's for sure. I'm getting a little sore now, but it's not that bad. It's great. I appreciate people turning out. I'm sure it'll be a great turn out for the parade in a couple of days, so we're excited for it."
KDKA's Dave Crawley's Ode to the Stanley Cup Clincher:
Before heading out though, Crosby signed some autographs, including one for little Timmy Waller of Neville Island.
KDKA's John Shumway: "What did you do to your shirt?"
Waller: "Got it signed by Sidney Crosby."
Shumway: "What did you think of that?"
Waller: "It was the greatest day of my life."
Now, the Penguins head to their homes to get some deserved sleep ahead of a much-anticipated victory parade.
Meanwhile, fans will continue the celebration.
"It's just such an amazing experience. A lot of [fans] hardly ever get to see one team win one championship, but to see us go back-to-back again, it's pretty special," said fan Zack Zurcher, of Imperial.
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