Kimmo Timonen got his storybook ending.
After 16 years in the NHL, the 40-year-old finally had his chance to hoist the Stanley Cup after the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 at the United Center on Monday night. It was an incredibly special moment for Timonen, who came back from life-threatening blood clots to make one last run at the Cup this season.
Presented with the Cup for the third time in his career, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews had some fun whooping and hollering with the trophy before he passed it off to the veteran defenseman and first-time champion in a moment that featured no shortage of expletives and screams. Toews even encouraged Timonen to go for a skate with the Cup when he looked like he was ready to pass it off to another teammate.
That’s what pure joy looks like, folks.
Timonen announced during the Stanley Cup Final that he would retire after this season, and he couldn’t have asked for a better way to go out.
“There are so many words I want to say, so many,” Timonen said, per the Chicago Tribune. “It has been a long journey, obviously with ups and downs, and what happened (last) summer was tough. But I’m leaving this game happy, relieved, ready. I’m leaving as a Stanley Cup champion, so I don’t know if you can ask any more.”
Thumbnail photo via Dennis Wierzbicki/USA TODAY Sports Images
