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Avalanche dethrone Lightning to win Stanley Cup for third time

Tampa Bay falls short of becoming NHL's first 3-peat champion since 1980s
Colorado Avalanche celebrate 2022 Stanley Cup Finals victory over Tampa Bay Lightning
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TAMPA, Fla. — The Colorado Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup after dethroning the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Avalanche beat the Lightning 2-1 on Sunday night in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals behind a goal and an assist from Nathan MacKinnon.

Tampa Bay fell two victories short of becoming the NHL's first three-peat champion since the early 1980s New York Islanders dynasty.

Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen celebrates after scoring goal on Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Finals
Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen celebrates after scoring on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla.

Colorado's core led by MacKinnon, captain Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen and longest-tenured player Erik Johnson finally got the job done after years of playoff disappointments.

It's the franchise's third championship and first since 2001.