The Stanley Cup is en route to Chicago Monday and underwent the same airport screening process that everyone else’s luggage does.
Philip Pritchard, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s so-called “Keeper of the Cup,” posted a photo of the Stanley Cup as it went through an X-ray machine at the airport prior to his flight to Chicago.
He’s travelling with the Conn Smythe trophy as well, which is awarded to the MVP of the playoffs.
The Chicago Blackhawks are up 3-2 in the final series against the Tampa Bay Lightning ahead of Monday’s Game 6. It’s the third time Chicago has been in this position since drafting the team’s young stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. They won the championship in 2010 and 2013 in Philadelphia and Boston, respectively.
“Our team’s been in a lot in these situations — played in some big settings, some big stages, a chance to win Cups before,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Sunday. “It’s a whole new process for some guys, a new situation being at home for the first time.
“It’s an exciting time.”
And the Lightning are battling injuries as they head to Chicago for what could be their last game of the year. Goaltender Ben Bishop is playing through an undisclosed injury, Tyler Johnson has a hand injury, and Nikita Kucherov is questionable for Monday’s game after leaving Game 5 early.
“We’re hoping that he’s back,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. “If not, we have guys that are capable. We’ve proved that before. We just got to keep believing that.”
The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET.
- With files from The Associated Press
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