The Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Edition; Mitch Albom Reports on the Pity Party in “Hockeyfrown”; Dave Molinari Calls Game 7 “A Thriller”; Hershey Downs the Moose to Win Calder Cup

Pittsburgh:

• Post-Gazetter writer Dave Molinari offers his take on Game 7 and the Penguins third cup win.
• Gene Collier recounts Max Talbot’s gritty game.
• Ron Cook discusses the Pens up and down season and the decisions made by Brooks Orpik and Marian Hossa.
• Bob Smizek thanks Marian Hossa for not signing in Pittsburgh and begins the dynasty talk.
• Shelly Andersons talks about the rich history of the Stanley Cup, and the order in which the Pens passed it around.

Detroit:

• Mitch Albom recaps the agony and ecstasy of last night’s Game 7 from Detroit’s perspective.
• Helene St. James chronicles Marian Hossa’s second straight summer as a Stanley Cup bridesmaid.
• Some selected quotes from both sides following the game.
• The Wings left feeling “quiet and empty” after being stymied by the Penguins and the post.
• Drew Sharp writes that no one can pin this loss on Chris Osgood.
• Nik Lidstrom admits to having surgery during the playoffs after being speared in the testicles during the Chicago series.
• George Sipple notes that the the lack of goal scoring from the usual suspects was key to the Wings’ loss.
• Dave Gross from Canwest News comments on the game.
• A few more select quotes and news items from the game.

Elsewhere Around the League:

• Prime Minister Stephen Harper called Sidney Crosby last night to congratulate him on the win.
• Evgeni Malkin in the first Russian to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
• A report card for the Stanley Cup Finals.
• Brian Burke “wants and expects” Cliff Fletcher to have a role with the Maple Leafs next season.
• Rob Daum is expected to keep coaching in Springfield for the Oilers farm club, writes Jim Matheson. He also notes there might be interest in Craig MacTavish taking over for Marc Crawford on HNIC.
• Bruce Garrioch suggests that the Panthers are “desperate” to deal Jay Bouwmeester.
• Marian Hossa says he has no regrets about his decision to play for Detroit.
• Chris Neil says good riddance to Dany Heatley.
• Brian Burke says that Toronto has a lot to offer free-agent netminder Jonas Gustavsson.

AHL:

• The Hershey Bears defeated the Manitoba Moose 4-1 last night to capture the Calder Cup.
• Paul Friesen recaps the Moose’s magic carpet ride through the playoffs.

Illegal Curve would like to extend our congratulations to the Pittsburgh Penguins on their Stanley Cup victory and add kudos to the Detroit Red Wings and their fans, who were very classy as they stayed around to cheer and watch as the Pens hoisted the Cup.