Lightning doesn't strike thrice as Avalanche win Stanley Cup

The Colorado Avalanche are atop the mountain in the NHL for the third time in the club's history.

Artturi Lehkonen scored the go-ahead goal with 7:32 remaining in the second period to lift the Avalanche to a 2-1 victory over the host Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.

Colorado, who also won the title in 1996 and 2001, denied Tampa Bay's bid of completing a three-peat as Stanley Cup champion.

Nathan MacKinnon collected a goal and an assist and Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves for the Avalanche, who set a franchise record with nine road wins in a play-off year. Six clubs share the NHL record of 10 road victories.

"Disbelief. It's crazy," MacKinnon said. "I can't wait to hug my family. Geez, it's hard to describe. I didn't really know what it would feel like to actually win it, but just seeing all these warriors battle, it just feels unbelievable. Words can't describe how I feel right now."

Reigning Norris Trophy recipient Cale Makar (eight goals, 21 assists) was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the MVP of the playoffs. Makar, 23, is the third defenseman to win both trophies in the same year, joining Hockey Hall of Famers Bobby Orr (1970, 1972) and Nicklas Lidstrom (2002).

"It's just been building over time," Makar told ESPN of his team's ascent. "For us, I've been here only three years, a couple tough exits in the playoffs. It was just all leading up to this."

Captain Gabriel Landeskog was succinct when asked by ESPN how teams can mimic what Colorado achieved.

"Find a Cale Makar somewhere," Landeskog said.

Captain Steven Stamkos scored and Andrei Vasilevskiy turned aside 28 shots for the Lightning, who were trying to become the seventh team to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-1 in a best-of-seven Cup final.

"I'm