Lots of you watched the Bruins become Champions!

From NBC Sports -

STANLEY CUP FINAL GAME 7 IS MOST-WATCHED NHL GAME IN 38 YEARS

Up 3% From Last Year’s Deciding Game 6 OT Thriller That Featured Two U.S. Teams; Up 7% From 2009’s Game 7

Most-Watched Stanley Cup Game 7 in 40 years

Game 7 Powers NBC to Nightly Primetime Win Among Viewers, Households, Adults 18-49 and Key Male Demos

Best Combined Network/Cable Stanley Cup Series Viewership Featuring a Canadian Team Ever

Boston Sets Record, Leads All Metered Markets with a 43.4 Rating & 64 Share

NEW YORK – June 16, 2011 – Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, which saw the Boston Bruins defeat the Vancouver Canucks, 4-0, to claim their first championship since 1972, was watched by 8.54 million people, making it the most-watched NHL game in 38 years, according to official national data released today by The Nielsen Company. The viewership is up three percent from last year’s deciding Game 6 overtime thriller between the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers and up seven percent compared to the most recent Game 7 in 2009 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings.

NBC Sports Group surrounded the Stanley Cup with pre- and postgame coverage on VERSUS, regional coverage on Comcast SportsNet New England and robust digital coverage on the integrated NBCSports.com.

Last night’s Game 7 drew 8.54 million viewers (8-11:06 p.m. ET), the most for an NHL game in 38 years (5/10/73, Montreal-Chicago, 9.4 million on NBC) and the fourth most-watched Stanley Cup game ever.

Last night’s game was up three percent from last year’s deciding Game 6 overtime thriller (Chicago-Philadelphia, 8.28 million) and up seven percent from the 2009 Stanley Cup Game 7 (Pittsburgh-Detroit, 7.99 million).

The 8.54 million viewers makes last night’s game the most-watched Game 7 in 40 years (5/18/71, Montreal-Chicago, 12.4 million on CBS).

Stanley Cup Final Game 7 powers NBC to win the night in primetime among viewers, household rating, Adults 18-49 and all key male demos

Game 7 posted a national household rating of 4.8 and an 8 share, making it the highest-rated NHL game 37 years (5/19/74, Boston-Philadelphia, 7.6/27 on NBC), two percent higher than last year’s deciding Game 6 (Chicago-Philadelphia, 4.7/6) and 12 percent higher than the 2009 Stanley Cup Game 7 (Pittsburgh-Detroit, 4.3/8).

MOST-WATCHED STANLEY CUP GAMES (1966-2011):

1. 5/18/71, Montreal-Chicago – Game 7, 12.41 million, CBS
2. 5/11/72, Boston-NY Rangers – Game 6, 10.93 million, CBS
3. 5/10/73, Montreal-Chicago – Game 6, 9.41 million, NBC
4. 6/15/11, Boston-Vancouver – Game 7, 8.54 million, NBC (Last Night’s Game)
5. 4/30/72, NY Rangers-Boston – Game 1, 8.51 million, CBS
6. 5/12/74, Boston-Philadelphia – Game 3, 8.30 million, NBC
7. 6/9/10, Chicago-Philadelphia – Game 6, 8.28 million, NBC
8. 5/7/72, Boston-NY Rangers – Game 4, 8.26 million, CBS
9. 6/12/09, Pittsburgh-Detroit – Game 7, 7.99 million, NBC
10. 5/19/74, Boston-Philadelphia – Game 6, 7.85 million, NBC

STANLEY CUP FINAL GAME 7 VIEWERSHIP HISTORY (1966-2011):

1. 5/18/71, Montreal-Chicago, 12.41 million, CBS
2. 6/15/11, Boston-Vancouver, 8.54 million – Last Night’s Game
3. 6/12/09, Pittsburgh-Detroit, 7.99 million, NBC
4. 6/9/03, Anaheim-New Jersey, 7.17 million, ABC
5. 6/9/01, New Jersey-Colorado, 6.95 million, ABC
6. 6/7/04, Calgary-Tampa Bay, 6.29 million, ABC
7. 6/14/94, NY Rangers-Vancouver, 5.44 million, ESPN
8. 6/19/06, Edmonton-Carolina, 5.29 million, NBC
* 5/31/87, Edmonton-Philadelphia on SportsChannel America – Data not available

BEST COMBINED NETWORK/CABLE STANLEY CUP SERIES VIEWERSHIP FEATURING A CANADIAN TEAM EVER: The Stanley Cup Final seven game series (Games 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 on NBC and Games 3, 4 on VERSUS) averaged 4.6 million viewers and a household rating of 2.7/5, surpassing the 2004 series (3.3 million, 2.2/4 on ABC/ESPN) as the most-watched combined network/cable Stanley Cup involving a Canadian team ever and up 39 percent from that series.

NBC’s five-game average audience of 5.31 million and 3.1/6 is the best for a network Stanley Cup Final featuring a Canadian team in 38 years (6.8/15 and 7.4 million for three games in 1973 on NBC).

BOSTON SETS RECORDS: The Boston market earned a 43.4 rating and a 64 share, the best overnight on record for a hockey game in Boston (dating back to 1991) and the best overnight in the Boston market featuring a Boston team in any major sports championship since Super Bowl XLII (Patriots-Giants, 55.6 on 2/3/08).

Boston’s seven-game average for the Stanley Cup Final (five games on NBC, two games on VERSUS) was a 28.1/44, 12 percent higher than ABC’s seven-game Boston average for last year’s NBA Finals (25.0/40 for Boston-LA Lakers).

TOP MARKETS FOR 2011 STANLEY CUP FINAL GAME 7:
1. Boston, 43.4/64
2. Providence, 25.9/38
3. Buffalo, 10.6/17
T4. Detroit, 8.7/14
T4. Hartford, 8.7/13
6. Pittsburgh, 7.6/12
7. Denver, 7.2/14
T8. Minneapolis, 6.7/12
T8. Las Vegas, 6.7/11
10. St. Louis, 6.2/10

TOP MARKETS FOR 2011 STANLEY CUP FINAL (NBC and VERSUS)
1. Boston, 28.1/44
2. Providence, 16.9/26
3. Buffalo, 7.1/12
4. Hartford, 4.7/8
5. Detroit, 4.2/7
6. Pittsburgh, 3.9/7
T7. Minneapolis, 3.5/7
T7. Las Vegas, 3.5/6
9. Washington, D.C., 3.4/6
10. St. Louis, 3.3/6

VIDEO: Vancouver riots after Stanley Cup loss

Just despicable actions by the people in Vancouver last night after losing to the Bruins in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Click here for the latest news from CTV British Columbia including news on a man who either fell or was pushed off the Georgia Viaduct and is in serious condition (possible Bruins fans according to various social media posts).

VIDEO: Game 7 - Bruins up 3-0 after 2

Just 20 minutes away from history for the Bruins!

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Thanks to NBC for the highlights.

Nathan Horton brings Boston to Vancouver

Anything to bring a little home to the road...



Thanks to the NHL Network for the video.

"This is your time"

A bit more inspiration for Bruins Nation tonight. This time from "Miracle" and the great Herb Brooks speech for the USA Hockey team before taking on the Russians.

Boston says NO to Bruins Garden Viewing Party

Despite reports all day long that there would be a viewing party for game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals Wednesday at the TD Garden in Boston, the city has ultimately said no to B's fans gathering together to watch the Bruins and Canucks fight for Lord Stanley's Cup. There's just not enough time to do it says the city.

Our buddy Ken Fang has been all over the story today at his wonderful Fang's Bites site. Click here to read his coverage.

Click here to read more from the Boston Herald.

Toronto Star: Canucks win Stanley Cup - OOPS!

A big oops from North of the Border in Toronto as the good folks at the Toronto Star mistakenly award the Stanley Cup to the Vancouver Canucks a bit prematurely.

NBC gears up for Game 7 Bruins vs. Canucks

From NBC Sports -

GAME 7 OF STANLEY CUP FINAL BETWEEN VANCOUVER CANUCKS & BOSTON BRUINS AIRS WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 8 PM ET ON NBC

VERSUS has Pre- & Postgame Coverage

Comcast SportsNet New England Provides Local Boston Coverage

“One game, one opportunity to be number one.” – NBC Sports Group hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk

“I can't remember being this excited about a game I wasn't playing in.” – NBC Sports Group hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick

NEW YORK – June 14, 2011 – The NBC Sports Group will surround Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins tomorrow night with game coverage on NBC, pre- and postgame coverage on VERSUS, local Boston coverage on Comcast SportsNet New England, digital coverage on NBCSports.com and social media content on Facebook and Twitter.

NBC: Coverage of the deciding game begins from Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Emmy-award winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Eddie Olczyk (analyst) will anchor NBC Sports’ game coverage with analyst Pierre McGuire stationed “inside-the-glass.” The studio show will feature host Dan Patrick and analysts Keith Jones and Mike Milbury.

Olczyk: “There are times in sports where you say with envy: 'This is it. Game 7. One game, one opportunity to be number one.’”

VERSUS: Hockey Central will start the NBC Sports Group’s national coverage at 7:30 p.m. ET with a 30-minute pre-game show. Immediately following NBC’s game coverage, VERSUS will present postgame coverage with highlights, news, analysis and player interviews, live on-location from Rogers Arena. Bill Patrick will host both programs with Keith Jones and Jeremy Roenick serving as analysts and Darren Pang working as the in-arena reporter.

Roenick: “I can't believe that in the best playoff season I've ever seen, and with the outstanding talent pool in the NHL, that the Stanley Cup Final will be decided in a seventh game. I can't remember being this excited about a game I wasn't playing in.”

CSN NEW ENGLAND: For viewers in Boston, Comcast SporstNet New England’s Game 7 coverage will begin at 6 p.m. ET with Chevrolet SportsNet Central. Anchors/reporters Mike Giardi and Kevin Walsh along with CSNNE.com Bruins Insider Joe Haggerty report live from Vancouver. Michael Felger and Tony Amonte anchor from Boston.

DIGITAL: NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com have combined forces to create a single, robust destination for hockey fans. The NBC Sports Group consolidated NHL content from both the NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com’s hockey sections onto the rapidly-growing NBCSports.com site. Game 7 coverage includes:

Web-exclusive videos featuring NBC Sports Group hockey commentators previewing Game 7.

"Star-Cam” will follow marquee players during the game and "Net-Cam" will provide a unique perspective from behind the goalie.

ProHockeyTalk, which recently had its most-trafficked month ever, will update Game 7 news around the clock and will conduct a live in-game chat.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Fans can interact with Game 7 through a variety of NBC Sports and VERSUS social media platforms:

Behind the Scenes: Through the joint “NHL on NBC and VERSUS” Facebook page and @NHLonNBC_VS on Twitter, fans receive exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and video.

Team Tabs: Fans who “Like” the joint NBC and VERSUS Facebook page will have the opportunity to play a variety of games and upload fan photos.

News: Fans can follow NBC and VERSUS Facebook and Twitter accounts to receive the most up to date news on Game 7 from ProHockeyTalk.

Sedin guarantees game 7 win for Vancouver

The Canucks are once again using their mouths to give the Bruins bulletin board material in the Stanley Cup Finals.

This time, it's forward Daniel Sedin guaranteeing victory for his team in game 7 Wednesday night.

"We're going to win Game 7," said Sedin after Monday night's 5-2 loss to the Bruins evening the series at three games a piece.

After game 5, it was Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo who took a shot at Boston goalie Tim Thomas, chiding him for not stopping the only goal in that game.  Luongo said for him, it would've been "an easy save."

Click here to read more from the Vancouver Sun.

Bruins force game 7

History will be on the line Wednesday night in Vancouver after the Bruins force a game 7 with a 5-2 win Monday night over the Canucks. Thanks to our friends at NBC Sports for the highlights.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Luongo stokes Thomas with "easy save" comment

Not sure this is exactly what Roberto Luongo should've done after putting the Canucks just one win away from winning the Stanley Cup with a 1-0 win over Boston Friday night.  Listen as he tells the press that the goal Tim Thomas gave up to Maxim Lapierre would've been an "easy save" for him.



Here's hoping the Bruins torch him Monday night to force a game 7!

Bruins shut out Canucks 4-0, Finals tied at 2!

Here are your highlights as the Bruins tie the Stanley Cup Finals at two games a piece with a 4-0 Tim Thomas whitewashing of Vancouver. Thanks to our friends at Versus for the highlights.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Game 5 Friday night in Vancouver.

Rome suspended four games for hit on Horton

Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome has been suspended four games by the NHL for his late hit on Boston's Nathan Horton in game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.  Horton has already been ruled out of the rest of the series with a severe concussion.  The Canucks lead the best of seven series two games to one.

Click here to read more.

Breaking News: Horton out for rest of Stanley Cup Finals

Boston Bruins forward Nathan Horton will miss the rest of the Stanley Cup Finals with a severe concussion the team has announced Tuesday morning.

Horton was hit late in Monday night's game 3, won by Boston 8-1, by Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome.  Horton was taken off the ice on a stretcher and taken to Mass General Hospital, where he later was able to move all his extremeties.

Click here to read more.

Rome cheapshots Horton

From our friends at CBC in Canada, we get the goon-like tactics from the Canucks again Monday night as Aaron Rome cheapshots Nathan Horton.   Rome gets a five-minute interference penalty and a game misconduct.  Horton is now moving his extremities at Mass General Hospital.

Bruins/Canucks Game 3 on Versus Monday Night

From Versus/NBC Sports -

VERSUS DROPS THE PUCK ON GAME 3 OF THE NHL STANLEY CUP FINAL TONIGHT

Coverage Begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with Special Pregame Edition of Hockey Central

NEW YORK (June 6, 2011)– VERSUS will air Games 3 and 4 of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final beginning tonight as the series shifts to Boston with the Vancouver Canucks leading the Bruins, 2-0. Coverage for both games on VERSUS begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with half-hour pregame coverage live from TD Garden in Boston. VERSUS will also continue to present extensive postgame coverage of Hockey Central live from the arena after all games. Hockey Central pre- and postgame shows on VERSUS will feature the latest highlights, news, analysis and player interviews from the series and tonight's game. Bill Patrick will host both shows tonight with Keith Jones and Mike Milbury serving as analysts for the pregame coverage. Jeremy Roenick and in-arena reporter Darren Pang will join Patrick for the postgame show. Emmy-award winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Eddie Olczyk (analyst) will anchor VERSUS’ game coverage with analyst Pierre McGuire stationed “inside-the-glass.” NBC SPORTS GROUP STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE (all times ET) Monday, June 6 Game 3: Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – VERSUS Wednesday, June 8 Game 4: Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – VERSUS Friday, June 10 Game 5 (if necessary): Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET – NBC Monday, June 13 Game 6 (if necessary): Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – NBC Wednesday, June 15 Game 7 (if necessary): Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET – NBC DIGITAL: NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com have combined forces to create a single, robust destination for hockey fans during the NHL Stanley Cup Final. The NBC Sports Group consolidated NHL content from both the NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com’s hockey sections onto the rapidly-growing NBCSports.com site. One of the key content areas is ProHockeyTalk, one of NBCSports.com's popular “Sports Talk” platforms that also include ProFootballTalk, CollegeFootballTalk, HardBallTalk, ProBasketballTalk and ProGolfTalk. Some of the features on NBCSports.com during the Stanley Cup Final include: Online-only videos featuring VERSUS and NBC Sports hockey commentators previewing upcoming games and wrapping-up all of the NHL action that day. "Star-Cam,” which follows marquee players in NBC games, and "Net-Cam," which provides a unique perspective from behind the goalie. ProHockeyTalk, which recently had its most-trafficked month ever, will update the 2011 Stanley Cup Final news around the clock. SOCIAL MEDIA: Fans can also keep up with the NHL Stanley Cup Final through a variety of NBC Sports and VERSUS social media platforms throughout the postseason. Content will include: Behind the Scenes: Through the joint “NHL on NBC and VERSUS” Facebook page and @NHLonNBC_VS on Twitter, fans receive exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and video. Commentator Tweets: Various NBC and VERSUS commentators will provide Twitter content throughout the Final, including occasional in-game Tweets. Fan Questions: Fans will have the opportunity to ask questions to NBC and VERSUS commentators via Facebook and Twitter. Team Tabs: Fans who “Like” the joint NBC and VERSUS Facebook page will have the opportunity to play a variety of games and upload fan photos based around each of their favorite teams who made the playoffs. As teams advance in the playoffs, new and more difficult games will challenge fans. News: Fans can follow NBC and VERSUS Facebook and Twitter accounts to receive the most up to date scores, reports and stories from around the NHL and ProHockeyTalk.

Bruins bit in the ass, lose in OT - VIDEO

The video proof from CBC on Alex Burrows game-winner just 11 seconds into OT Saturday night, putting the Bruins down 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals.



Horrible decisions by Chara and Thomas on this one.

Bruins/Canucks delivers for NBC

From NBC Sports -

BEST STANLEY CUP GAME 1 OVERNIGHT IN 12 YEARS

Game 1 Up 14% Over Last Year’s Philadelphia-Chicago Game 1

Boston Leads All Metered Markets with a 25.5 Rating & 39 Share

NEW YORK – June 2, 2011 -- Last night’s Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, which featured the Vancouver Canucks defeating the Boston Bruins, 1-0, produced the best overnight rating for a Game 1 in 12 years. The broadcast generated a 3.2 overnight rating and 6 share up 14 percent compared to last year’s Game 1 (Philadelphia-Chicago, 2.8/6) and the best overnight for a Game 1 since 1999 (Buffalo vs. Dallas, 3.7 on Fox).

Boston was the top-rated market on the night with a 25.5/39, the highest-rated NHL game in Boston dating back to at least 1995, and topping the Boston rating for last year’s NBA Finals Game 1 featuring the Celtics-Lakers (19.1/34).

This is the first Stanley Cup Final featuring a Canadian team since the Ottawa Senators faced the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. The 3.2 overnight for last night’s game is 113 percent higher than the first network broadcast of that series (1.5/3 for Game 3).

Top Metered Markets For Game 1
1. Boston, 25.5/39
2. Providence, 16.7/24
3. Buffalo, 7.2/11
4. Hartford, 5.5/8
5. Pittsburgh, 4.3/7

EXCLUSIVE: New video of Burrows/Bergeron Biting Incident

As we await a decision on a possible fine or suspension for Alex Burrows for biting Patrice Bergeron during game 1 of the NHL's Stanley Cup Finals Wednesday night, we get this exclusive reaction from the participants.



Classic!

Red Sox move Saturday's game to avoid Bruins Game 2

The Boston Red Sox have announced tonight that they have moved the start time for Saturday's game from 7:10pm to 1:10pm so it won't conflict with game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks.

The game will be televised on NESN.