Sharks Lose Stanley Cup Finals To Penguins

The first National Hockey League Stanley Cup Finals appearance for the San Jose Sharks ended Sunday with the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrating a 3-1 win on the Sharks' home ice. Pittsburgh won the best-seven-series four games-to-two.

Sidney Crosby had two assists and was named MVP. It is his second championship since 2009 and the Penguins fourth since 1991.

That is the same year the Sharks began play in the NHL as an expansion team.

Crosby assisted on Kris Letang’s winning goal -a gorgeous exhibition of puck movement- in the second period.

Brian Dumoulin scored on a power-play goal to start the scoring in the first period.

The Sharks' Logan Coutoure tied the score with a goal of his own.

But, after Letang's goal, too few scoring chances for the Sharks and excellent goaltending by the Penguins' Matt Murray sealed the Sharks' fate.

Patric Hornqvist scored with less than two minutes remaining in the final period after the Sharks pulled Martin Jones from net to give their offense one more attacker.

After the post-game handshake, each member of the Penguins on-ice and front-office staff in attendance had a chance to lift the cup and give it a kiss...or two.

Team owner and Hall-of-Fame player Mario Lemieux has been a part of all four championships -two-each as a player and as a coach.