TAMPA, Fla. – The Avalanche are back on top.
According to The Associated Press, Colorado defeated the two-time defending champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1 on Sunday to claim the Stanley Cup for the third time in history.
The Game 6 victory came after years of early postseason exits for the Avalanche, who were eliminated in the second round in 2019 through 2021 and the first round in 2018, the AP reported.
“It’s just been building over time. … It was just all leading up to this,” said MVP Cale Makar, who was awarded the 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy. The 23-year-old defenseman logged eight goals and 21 assists in the postseason, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
The Avalanche, who also won the title in 1996 and 2001, will celebrate with fans Thursday in a parade in downtown Denver, the team tweeted overnight.
The Lightning, who fell short of capturing their third consecutive Stanley Cup, also took to Twitter to congratulate their opponents, calling the Avalanche’s win “well-earned.”
“‘Twas a heck of a series,” the tweet read.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri lifts the Stanley Cup after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
The Colorado Avalanche celebrate after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Avalanche won 2-1.
Colorado Avalanche players embrace after the team won the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Colorado Avalanche skills coach Shawn Allard lifts the Stanley Cup after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
The Colorado Avalanche celebrate winning the Stanley Cup against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Linesman Ryan Daisy separates Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) and Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul (20) during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Linesman Steve Barton (59) separates Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson (3) during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat reacts after the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
The Colorado Avalanche celebrate after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Avalanche won 2-1.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42), left, hugs center Andrew Cogliano (11) after the Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1 to win the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
The Colorado Avalanche celebrate after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. The Avalanche won 2-1.
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is seen behind the bench during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen, bottom, shoots the puck past Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) for a goal during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) deflects shot by Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (81) checks Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the third period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Referee Kelly Sutherland talks to Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos reacts after his goal during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar talks to his team during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Zach Bogosian (24) is checked by Colorado Avalanche center Darren Helm (43) during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) reacts after scoring on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
Gloves and sticks are tossed as the Colorado Avalanche celebrate winning the Stanley Cup against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.
