A pair of British Columbia Hockey League graduates hoisted the Stanley Cup on Wednesday night, as Penticton Panthers alum Duncan Keith and Coquitlam Express counterpart Andrew Ladd each played a key role in the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup-clinching victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
The victory capped off an incredible year for Keith, who had already won Olympic gold with Team Canada in Vancouver just a dozen weeks earlier. The Norris Trophy finalist finished second amongst NHL defencemen in postseason scoring, scoring twice and adding 15 assists over his team's 22-game run. Keith was considered to be one of the top contenders for the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is awarded the the Playoff MVP.
Duncan suited up for the Penticton Panthers for his 16 & 17-year-old seasons, compiling over a point a game in his time playing in his hometown. Amid post game celebration on the ice last night Keith mentioned bringing the cup to Penticton multiple times in a post-game interview.Ladd, meanwhile, scored what may well have turned out to be the Stanley Cup-winning goal if not for Scott Hartnell's late equalizer. The 24-year old came on strong as the Finals progressed, counting points in Games 4, 5 and 6. Ladd is now a two-time Stanley Cup winner after first lifting the trophy with the Carolina Hurricanes during his rookie season in 2007.
