1999 Stanley Cup Finals
Encyclopedia
The 1999 Stanley Cup Final NHL
championship series was contested by the Eastern Conference champion Buffalo Sabres
and the Western Conference champion Dallas Stars
. It was the 106th year of the Stanley Cup
. The Sabres were led by captain Michael Peca
, coach Lindy Ruff
and goalie Dominik Hasek
. The Stars were led by captain Derian Hatcher
, coach Ken Hitchcock
and goalie Ed Belfour
. It was the Sabres' second Stanley Cup Final appearance, the first being a loss to Philadelphia
in 1975
. It was the third appearance for the Stars' franchise, and their first since moving to Dallas from Minnesota
in 1993
. Minnesota (known at the time as the North Stars) lost in the Final to the New York Islanders
in 1981
and to the Pittsburgh Penguins
in 1991
. This was the first time since 1994
that the Stanley Cup Final did not end in a sweep.
4-0, the Boston Bruins
4-2 and Toronto Maple Leafs
4-1 to make it to the final.
Dallas defeated the Edmonton Oilers
4-0, the St. Louis Blues
4-2 and the Colorado Avalanche
4-3 to advance to the final.
, but Stu Barnes
and Wayne Primeau
scored 5:04 apart in the third to give Buffalo a 2-1 lead. Jere Lehtinen
tied the game in the final minute of the third period, but Jason Woolley
scored at 15:30 of overtime to give the Sabres the series lead.
Brett Hull 6 (pp) (Modano, Lehtinen), 10:17
Second period
none
Third period
Buf Barnes 5 (Juneau, Smehlik), 8:33
Buf Primeau 3 (pp) (Zhitnik, Smehlik), 13:37
Dal Lehtinen 8 (Modano, Zubov), 19:11
Overtime
Buf Woolley 4 (Brown), 15:30
's first goal in 102 playoff games gave Dallas its first lead of the game in the third period, but Alexei Zhitnik
tied the game 71 seconds later. Brett Hull scored on a slap shot with 2:50 remaining in the game, and Derian Hatcher
's empty net goal sealed the win for Dallas, and evened the series at 1 game apiece. Mike Modano
left the game with approximately ten minutes to play after suffering a broken wrist.
No scoring
Second period
Buf Peca 5 (pp) (Woolley, Satan), 7:22.
Dal Langenbrunner 10 (Matvichuk, Nieuwendyk), 18:26.
Third period
Dal Ludwig 1 (Skrudland), 4:25.
Buf Zhitnik 4 (power play) (unassisted), 5:36.
Dal Hull 7 (Hrkac, Chambers), 17:10.
Dal Hatcher 1 (empty net) (Zubov), 19:34.
's two goals, including his sixth game-winner of the playoffs, led Dallas to the win.
No scoring
Second period
Buf Barnes 6 (Smehlik, B Holzinger), 7:51.
Dal Nieuwendyk 10 (Reid, Langenbrunner), 15:33.
Third period
Dal Nieuwendyk 11 (Langenbrunner, Reid), 9:35.
Buf Sanderson 4 (unassisted), 8:09.
Dal Lehtinen 9 (power play) (Modano, Hatcher), 10:14.
Second period
Buf Ward 7 (unassisted), 7:37.
Third period
No scoring.
made 23 saves to shut out the Sabres, and move Dallas within one win of the Stanley Cup.
No scoring.
Second period
Dal Sydor 3 (power play) (Modano, Zubov), 2:23.
Third period
Dal Verbeek 3 (Matvichuk, Modano), 15:21.
Dallas, which allowed the first goal in the earlier two games played at Marine Midland Arena, took a 1-0 lead on one of its few scoring chances in the first period when Lehtinen scored his tenth goal of the playoffs at 8:09. The Sabres tied the game with their first goal since the third period of Game 4 when Barnes' wrist shot eluded Belfour with 1:39 to play in the second period.
The game remained tied at 1 through the third period and the first two overtime periods, despite several chances by both teams to score. At 14:51 of the third overtime period, Brett Hull scored on a rebound from inside the crease over a sprawling Dominik Hasek
to end the series and award Dallas their first Stanley Cup
.
It was the longest Cup-winning game in Finals history, and the second-longest Finals game overall, after Game 1 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Finals
, which ended at 15:13 of the third overtime.
Dal Lehtinen 10 (Modano, Ludwig), 8:09.
Second period
Buf Barnes 7 (Primeau, Zhitnik), 18:21.
Third period
No scoring.
First Overtime
No scoring.
Second Overtime
No scoring.
Third Overtime
Brett Hull 8 (Lehtinen, Modano), 14:51.
in the 1999 Stanley Cup
Final. When Hull scored his series-clinching goal in triple overtime of game six his foot was in the crease but the puck was not. Near the end of the season the NHL sent out a memo clarifying the "skate in the crease" rule that allowed goals in instances where the goalscorer maintained control (not possession) of the puck prior to entering the crease. On this play Hull kicked the puck with his left skate (while still outside of the crease) into a shooting position. Others have pointed out that similar plays were called differently during the regular season. Many Buffalo fans felt that this call was incorrectly made and the term "No Goal!" became their rallying cry. The rule that led to this controversy no longer exists in the NHL, however, as shortly after it was removed from the rule book.
Hull's goal ended the series and the Stars were awarded the Stanley Cup. At the time, even Dallas Morning News
hockey writer Keith Gave
questioned the legality of the goal. NHL officials, however, maintained that Hull's two shots at the goal constituted a single possession of the puck since the puck deflected off Hasek, and their ruling stood, noting that they were going to change the rule the following year anyway. Al Strachan, hockey columnist for the Toronto Sun
, and all-time NHL scoring leader Wayne Gretzky
are on record as saying that the goal was legally scored and should have stood. NHL Director of Officiating Bryan Lewis
said there was no crease violation because "Hull had possession of the puck when his skate entered the crease."
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
championship series was contested by the Eastern Conference champion Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
and the Western Conference champion Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
. It was the 106th year of the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
. The Sabres were led by captain Michael Peca
Michael Peca
Michael Anthony "Mike" Peca is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward in the National Hockey League . He most recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. He has also played for the Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple...
, coach Lindy Ruff
Lindy Ruff
Lindy Cameron Ruff is the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. Ruff played in the NHL for the Sabres and New York Rangers as a left winger/defenceman. Currently, he is the longest-tenured head coach in the NHL.-Playing career:Ruff was chosen in the second round, 32nd...
and goalie Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...
. The Stars were led by captain Derian Hatcher
Derian Hatcher
Derian Hatcher is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers...
, coach Ken Hitchcock
Ken Hitchcock
Ken Hitchcock also known as "Hitch" is an NHL hockey coach and pro scout, currently coaching the St. Louis Blues.-Early Years:...
and goalie Ed Belfour
Ed Belfour
Edward John Belfour is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the...
. It was the Sabres' second Stanley Cup Final appearance, the first being a loss to Philadelphia
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 1975
1975 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1975 Stanley Cup Final championship series was played by the Buffalo Sabres, making their first Finals appearance and the defending champion Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers would win the best-of-seven series four games to two. This was the first Final to have two non-"Original Six" teams since...
. It was the third appearance for the Stars' franchise, and their first since moving to Dallas from Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
in 1993
1993 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1993 Stanley Cup Final series was contested by the Los Angeles Kings and the Montreal Canadiens to decide the NHL championship for the 1992–93 season. It was the first appearance in the Final for the Kings, and the 34th for Montreal, their first since the 1989 Final. The Canadiens won the...
. Minnesota (known at the time as the North Stars) lost in the Final to the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 1981
1981 Stanley Cup Finals
-References:...
and to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in 1991
1991 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1991 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Minnesota North Stars. It was the Penguins' first Final series appearance and their first Stanley Cup victory. As of 2011, this is the first and only Stanley Cup Final to feature two teams from the...
. This was the first time since 1994
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
that the Stanley Cup Final did not end in a sweep.
Paths to the final
Buffalo defeated the Ottawa SenatorsOttawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
4-0, the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
4-2 and Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
4-1 to make it to the final.
Dallas defeated the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
4-0, the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
4-2 and the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
4-3 to advance to the final.
Game one
The opening games was in Dallas and it was the visiting Buffalo Sabres who struck first, winning 3–2 in overtime. Dallas led 1-0 on a power play goal by Brett HullBrett Hull
Brett Andrew Hull is a former Canadian-American NHL player and the former Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars. He is the son of Bobby Hull and nephew of Dennis Hull, both former NHL players. Hull is also known as "The Golden Brett," which is a play off of his father's nickname, "The...
, but Stu Barnes
Stu Barnes
Stuart Barnes is an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . He played 16 seasons at centre in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, and Dallas Stars....
and Wayne Primeau
Wayne Primeau
Wayne Michael Primeau is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently a free agent. He is the younger brother of Keith Primeau...
scored 5:04 apart in the third to give Buffalo a 2-1 lead. Jere Lehtinen
Jere Lehtinen
Jere Kalervo Lehtinen is a former Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He played as a right wing. He was drafted 88th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota North Stars. Lehtinen handles defensive aspects of the game as well as offensive, hence he is a two-way forward for which...
tied the game in the final minute of the third period, but Jason Woolley
Jason Woolley
Jason Woolley is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.- Playing career :Woolley attended Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI before the Washington Capitals selected him 61st overall in the 1989 NHL Draft. Woolley's most productive NHL season was his 1998–99 campaign with the Buffalo...
scored at 15:30 of overtime to give the Sabres the series lead.
Scoring summary
First periodBrett Hull 6 (pp) (Modano, Lehtinen), 10:17
Second period
none
Third period
Buf Barnes 5 (Juneau, Smehlik), 8:33
Buf Primeau 3 (pp) (Zhitnik, Smehlik), 13:37
Dal Lehtinen 8 (Modano, Zubov), 19:11
Overtime
Buf Woolley 4 (Brown), 15:30
Game two
Dallas struck back in the second game, winning 4–2. After a scoreless opening period, the teams traded goals in the middle frame. Craig LudwigCraig Ludwig
Craig Lee Ludwig is an American former professional hockey player. He played defense in the National Hockey League from 1983–1999 and was renowned for his shot-blocking ability...
's first goal in 102 playoff games gave Dallas its first lead of the game in the third period, but Alexei Zhitnik
Alexei Zhitnik
Oleksiy Mykolaiovych "Alexei" Zhitnik is a retired Ukrainian-Russian ice hockey defenceman. Zhitnik has played more games in the National Hockey League than any other Soviet-born defenceman. He has represented the Soviet Union, CIS, and Russia internationally, and Ukraine during two NHL All-Star...
tied the game 71 seconds later. Brett Hull scored on a slap shot with 2:50 remaining in the game, and Derian Hatcher
Derian Hatcher
Derian Hatcher is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers...
's empty net goal sealed the win for Dallas, and evened the series at 1 game apiece. Mike Modano
Mike Modano
Michael Thomas Modano, Jr. is a retired American professional ice hockey player, who most notably played for the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He is the all-time goal-scoring and points leader amongst American-born players in the NHL, as well as the last active player in the NHL...
left the game with approximately ten minutes to play after suffering a broken wrist.
Scoring summary
First periodNo scoring
Second period
Buf Peca 5 (pp) (Woolley, Satan), 7:22.
Dal Langenbrunner 10 (Matvichuk, Nieuwendyk), 18:26.
Third period
Dal Ludwig 1 (Skrudland), 4:25.
Buf Zhitnik 4 (power play) (unassisted), 5:36.
Dal Hull 7 (Hrkac, Chambers), 17:10.
Dal Hatcher 1 (empty net) (Zubov), 19:34.
Game three
The series shifted to Buffalo for games three and four. It was the visiting Dallas Stars turn to win one on the road, winning 2–1. With Modano hampered by his wrist injury, and Hull leaving the game with a groin injury, Joe NieuwendykJoe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
's two goals, including his sixth game-winner of the playoffs, led Dallas to the win.
Scoring summary
First periodNo scoring
Second period
Buf Barnes 6 (Smehlik, B Holzinger), 7:51.
Dal Nieuwendyk 10 (Reid, Langenbrunner), 15:33.
Third period
Dal Nieuwendyk 11 (Langenbrunner, Reid), 9:35.
Game four
Facing a two games to one deficit in the series and a must-win situation in game four, the Sabres came through with a 2–1 victory.Scoring summary
First periodBuf Sanderson 4 (unassisted), 8:09.
Dal Lehtinen 9 (power play) (Modano, Hatcher), 10:14.
Second period
Buf Ward 7 (unassisted), 7:37.
Third period
No scoring.
Game five
With the series tied at two games apiece and returning to Dallas, Ed BelfourEd Belfour
Edward John Belfour is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the...
made 23 saves to shut out the Sabres, and move Dallas within one win of the Stanley Cup.
Scoring summary
First periodNo scoring.
Second period
Dal Sydor 3 (power play) (Modano, Zubov), 2:23.
Third period
Dal Verbeek 3 (Matvichuk, Modano), 15:21.
Game six
The series shifted back to Marine Midland Arena for the sixth game on June 19, 1999, where the Dallas Stars would seek their first Stanley Cup, while the Buffalo Sabres would fight for a win to extend the series to a seventh and final game.Dallas, which allowed the first goal in the earlier two games played at Marine Midland Arena, took a 1-0 lead on one of its few scoring chances in the first period when Lehtinen scored his tenth goal of the playoffs at 8:09. The Sabres tied the game with their first goal since the third period of Game 4 when Barnes' wrist shot eluded Belfour with 1:39 to play in the second period.
The game remained tied at 1 through the third period and the first two overtime periods, despite several chances by both teams to score. At 14:51 of the third overtime period, Brett Hull scored on a rebound from inside the crease over a sprawling Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...
to end the series and award Dallas their first Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
.
It was the longest Cup-winning game in Finals history, and the second-longest Finals game overall, after Game 1 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Finals
1990 Stanley Cup Finals
In the 1990 Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Boston Bruins four games to one. For the Oilers, it was their fifth Cup win in seven years, and the only one without Wayne Gretzky...
, which ended at 15:13 of the third overtime.
Scoring summary
First periodDal Lehtinen 10 (Modano, Ludwig), 8:09.
Second period
Buf Barnes 7 (Primeau, Zhitnik), 18:21.
Third period
No scoring.
First Overtime
No scoring.
Second Overtime
No scoring.
Third Overtime
Brett Hull 8 (Lehtinen, Modano), 14:51.
"No Goal"
The phrase "No Goal" is associated with a controversial goal scored by Brett Hull of the Dallas StarsDallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
in the 1999 Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
Final. When Hull scored his series-clinching goal in triple overtime of game six his foot was in the crease but the puck was not. Near the end of the season the NHL sent out a memo clarifying the "skate in the crease" rule that allowed goals in instances where the goalscorer maintained control (not possession) of the puck prior to entering the crease. On this play Hull kicked the puck with his left skate (while still outside of the crease) into a shooting position. Others have pointed out that similar plays were called differently during the regular season. Many Buffalo fans felt that this call was incorrectly made and the term "No Goal!" became their rallying cry. The rule that led to this controversy no longer exists in the NHL, however, as shortly after it was removed from the rule book.
Hull's goal ended the series and the Stars were awarded the Stanley Cup. At the time, even Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News is the major daily newspaper serving the Dallas, Texas area, with a circulation of 264,459 subscribers, the Audit Bureau of Circulations reported in September 2010...
hockey writer Keith Gave
Keith Gave
Keith Gave is a former sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press and Dallas Morning News reporter.He is well-known for questioning the legality of the Dallas Stars' game-winning goal in the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals. Gave noted that Brett Hull's skate was in the crease when he scored the goal, which...
questioned the legality of the goal. NHL officials, however, maintained that Hull's two shots at the goal constituted a single possession of the puck since the puck deflected off Hasek, and their ruling stood, noting that they were going to change the rule the following year anyway. Al Strachan, hockey columnist for the Toronto Sun
Toronto Sun
The Toronto Sun is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its daily Sunshine Girl feature and for what it sees as a populist conservative editorial stance.-History:...
, and all-time NHL scoring leader Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
are on record as saying that the goal was legally scored and should have stood. NHL Director of Officiating Bryan Lewis
Bryan Lewis
Bryan Lewis is a Canadian municipal politician and a former referee and Director of Officiating for the National Hockey League. His first NHL experience was in the 1966–67 NHL season. He worked more than 1000 games at the NHL level, and was named Director of Officiating in 1989, following the...
said there was no crease violation because "Hull had possession of the puck when his skate entered the crease."
Dallas Stars - 1999 Stanley Cup Champions
See also
- 1998–99 NHL season
- 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs1999 Stanley Cup PlayoffsThe 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1999, following the 1998–99 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...
- List of Stanley Cup champions
- Super Bowl XXVIISuper Bowl XXVIISuper Bowl XXVII was a football game played on January 31, 1993 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1992 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Dallas Cowboys defeated the American Football Conference champion...
and Super Bowl XXVIIISuper Bowl XXVIIISuper Bowl XXVIII was an American football game played on January 30, 1994, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1993 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Dallas Cowboys defeated the American Football...
- both also won by a Dallas team over a Buffalo team