It was a violent explosion that defined and decided Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, and a bloodied Rob Scuderi was right in the middle of it all.
Scuderi, a graduate and Syosset native, was clearing the puck from behind the Los Angeles Kings’ net Monday night when New Jersey’s Steve Bernier slammed Scuderi into the boards.
Scuderi came away with a bloody nose and then skated off the ice while Bernier was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct at the 10:10 mark. The Kings used the five-minute penalty to score three first-period, power-play goals en route to a 6-1 win.
The Kings won the Stanley Cup for the first time in the 45-year history of the franchise while Scuderi earned his second ring.
Scuderi, a defenseman, became the first after Pittsburgh beat the Red Wings in seven games in 2009. Now Scuderi, the Kings’ second oldest player at 33, has another title.
"I knew I was one of a few guys that experienced being to the finals, but it still feels like the first time when that horn goes off and it's over and you've been part of a team that's been able to do it," Scuderi told The Hockey News. "It's a special feeling."
Scuderi was cleared to return and celebrated with his teammates not long after.
