The illegal stick that changed the course of hockey history
In short: In 1993, a single measurement of a defender's equipment triggered a collapse. The Los Angeles Kings held a series lead, but a penalty for an illegal stick swung the momentum, leading to a Montreal dynasty and a decade of heartbreak for Los and a riot in Quebec.
The 1993 Stanley Cup Final between the Los Angeles Kings and the Montreal Canadiens is defined by a pivotal moment in game two. With the Kings leading the series 1–0 and the game 2–1, Canadiens coach Jacques Demers called for a measurement of Kings defenceman Marty McSorley’s stick. The equipment was ruled illegal, resulting in a two-minute minor penalty. Demers immediately pulled goaltender Patrick Roy to create a 6-on-4 advantage, allowing Eric Desjardins to tie the game and eventually win it in overtime.
This moment served as a turning point for both franchises. For Montreal, the victory was part of an incredible run that included ten consecutive playoff overtime wins and a series victory of four games to one. That penalty initiated a lengthy slump for the Kings; they went without another playoff win throughout the rest of the 1900s, eventually defeating the Detroit Red Wings in 2001 to break the streak.
The series also marked the end of an era. It was the last time the Stanley Cup Final was played at the Montreal Forum and the final appearance in the Finals for superstar Wayne Gretzky. The win held great historical weight: Montreal became the most recent Canadian franchise to claim the Stanley Cup, and their 1993 squad is the final champion featuring only players born in North America. The celebrations in Montreal were so intense they culminated in a massive riot, causing CA$2.5 million in damage and resulting in 115 arrests.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 1993 Stanley Cup Final
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