Today, June 24, 2024, the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup could be awarded on the same day for the first time in many years, creating a powerful split-screen experience for hockey fans.
The Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Final. Puck drop will be at 8 pm from the Panthers’ Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL (ABC/Sportsnet).
I’ll be awarded tonight.
— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) June 24, 2024
After falling behind three games to none, the Oilers are looking to become only the second team in NHL history to come back and win the championship series, joining the 1942 Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs.
Meanwhile, 1,197 miles north in Central Pennsylvania, the Hershey Bears will play the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Game 6 of the AHL’s Calder Cup Finals. Hershey holds a 3-2 lead in the series after taking two of three games at Coachella Valley’s Acrisure Arena. With a victory at Giant Center, the Bears will go back-to-back and repeat as champions.
Puck drop for Game 6 is at 7 pm and tickets are sold out.
The rumors are true… I’m a side sleeper😴 pic.twitter.com/lzN9WevqCr
— Calder Cup (@CalderCup) June 23, 2024
According to Newsday’s Ted Starkey, the last time the two trophies were handed out on the same night was June 12, 2009 — 15 years and 12 days ago.
The Pittsburgh Penguins became 2009 Stanley Cup champions that day when they beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 in Game 7 at Joe Louis Arena. The AHL champions that year were, you guessed it, the Hershey Bears after they defeated the Manitoba Moose on the same day in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals at MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Bears became the first team in AHL history to win 10 Calder Cups.
Will more history happen tonight? We shall see.
Update: It happened. The Florida Panthers became Stanley Cup champions after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7. The Hershey Bears hoisted the Calder Cup and became back-to-back champions after defeating the Coachella Valley Firebirds for a second straight year.
