Getting Their Ducks In A Row

The Anaheim Ducks, Stanley Cup Champions. Just kinda rolls of the tongue.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- The Anaheim Ducks aren't called mighty anymore. Now they can simply answer to Stanley Cup champions.

The 14-year-old Ducks captured their first NHL title with a 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night, ending the series in five games in front of the home folks again.

For the first time, the Stanley Cup resides in California and at the expense of Canada, which hasn't boasted a winner since Montreal in 1993. Calgary, Edmonton and now Ottawa -- in its first trip since the Senators were reborn in 1992 -- each had a chance the past three seasons only to be done in by a U.S. club from the sun belt. (H/T - Yahoo! Sports)

For the first time in the history of the NHL, a West Coast team has won the Cup. Now, many hockey purists will scoff at that, but I believe it is good for the game. A game that needs exposure and new fans. Of course, with the television contract the NHL was bent over for, it's hard to achieve either - which is a shame, since this series was a darned good one.

Congratulations to first-time Cup winners Teemu Selanne (pictured) and Chris Pronger. You earned it, fellas!