The Boston Bruins have their backs against the wall in the Stanley Cup Final, and a former University of Vermont hockey player is trying to help them mount what would be an impressive comeback.
Going into Monday night’s Game 6 in Boston, the Bruins are down three games to two to the Vancouver Canucks in the best-of-seven series.
UVM alum Tim Thomas will be in goal for the Bruins, and university officials are hoping he might lead them to two straight wins — and then bring the Stanley Cup to Burlington.
Even though Thomas has held the Canucks to just one goal in the two previous games played in Boston, Chris McCabe with UVM’s athletic department says his office is afraid to plan any celebrations yet because, like many superstitious sports fans, they don’t want to jinx it.
(McCabe) "We’ve been in this position fortunately before with John LeClaire and Martin St. Louis and Eric Perrin and Patrick Sharp – to have alums who’ve gotten to the top of their profession and won a Stanley Cup. We’re pulling for Tim, and win or lose it’s just a tremendous amount of pride to see Tim do so well this year."
The decision to bring the Cup to Vermont would ultimately fall to Thomas since each member of the championship team will have the trophy for 24 hours. Still, the university is quick to point out that some of Thomas’ family members are from Vermont and they have a camp here.
What do you think? If the Bruins defeat the Canucks, should Thomas bring hockey’s Holy Grail to Vermont?
Have your say in the comments section below.