When They Were Kings ... Finally, Stanley Cup champions

Happy anniversary, Los Angeles Kings.

A stick-tap of appreciation for a night that changed local hockey history a year ago. The men of winter worked into June and captured the franchise’s first Stanley Cup, completing the journey on home ice at Staples Center.

What they did a year ago now seems more impressive, coming close to running the table, going 16-4 in the playoffs and losing just once on the road during the run.

Here’s a couple of excerpts from The Times from that special night in Los Angeles:

“They were the five minutes that changed 45 years.

“Five minutes responsible for finally releasing and unleashing 4 1/2 decades of franchise frustration. The five minutes that helped lift the Kings to their first Stanley Cup as they defeated the New Jersey Devils, 6-1, on Monday night in Game 6, winning the best-of-seven series, four games to two.

“…Heavier than I thought,” said team captain Dustin Brown. “Knocking knees. There’s no words to describe lifting that thing.”

This was career-defining moment for the longest-serving King, the baby-faced father of three boys. On the day before the Final, Brown had spoken about dreaming of hoisting the Cup as a 4-year-old.

And now?

“It’s one of those things you dream all your life for as a player,” Brown said. “The city of Los Angeles has been dreaming of this for 45 years. There were about 20 million dreams coming true tonight.”

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PHOTOS: Kings win the Stanley Cup

PHOTOS: Kings Road: Defending the Stanley Cup

PHOTOS: Los Angeles crowns its Kings with parade and rally