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MacKinnon: 'Crosby better be the drunkest guy' at Stanley Cup party

christine gosselin
Contributing Writer
·3 min read

Nathan MacKinnon may have been caught up in the emotion of finally winning an elusive championship, but he knew he had to give props to one of his good pals for helping him get there.

Led by a goal and an assist from the star forward, the Colorado Avalanche dethroned the two-time defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the final Sunday night, winning the Stanley Cup for the third time in franchise history and first in more than two decades.

Nathan MacKinnon has finally won a Cup, and he expects his hometown friend Sidney Crosby to enjoy the celebrations as much as anyone else. (Getty Images)
Nathan MacKinnon has finally won a Cup, and he expects his hometown friend Sidney Crosby to enjoy the celebrations as much as anyone else. (Getty Images)

“It’s hard to describe,” said MacKinnon. “Some tough years mixed in there, but it’s all over now. We never stopped believing.”

The 26-year-old finally joins close friend and NHL superstar Sidney Crosby as a Stanley Cup champion. Amidst the celebrations, MacKinnon revealed that he knew his fate was in good hands when he checked into a Tampa hotel the night before Game 6 and his room number ended in 87.

Crosby’s famous number may have brought MacKinnon and the Avalanche good luck, but the newly crowned champion expects a lot from his close friend, warning the Pittsburgh Penguins' captain that he better be ready to celebrate in their hometown of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.

“I’ve been the drunkest guy at two of his, so he better be the drunkest guy at mine.”

Cole Harbour is no stranger to the Stanley Cup, of course, having seen Crosby bring it around for a visit on three separate occasions.

Sid the Kid was among the first NHL players to react to the Avalanche’s win, paying a tribute to MacKinnon for his hard work.

“I am really happy for Nate. I know how much it means to him and his family. I have seen how hard he’s worked to achieve this and glad that he’s got rewarded and gets to experience everything that comes with winning. It’s special.”

Earlier in the series, MacKinnon had revealed how he reached out to the Penguins’ captain for advice throughout Colorado's run to the Final. It seems to have paid off: the Stanley Cup passed from one dynasty to its potential successor on Sunday, kicking off a summer of celebrations for the Avalanche players, and most likely at least one hangover for Sidney Crosby.

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