Remembering Ottawa’s Only Stanley Cup Final Victory on June 2

The city of Ottawa has a rich history in the Stanley Cup landscape, with the original Senators clinching the coveted trophy 11 times. However, the memories of those victories have faded, as the last living witnesses to those celebrations are long gone. As the Senators approach the 100th anniversary of their last Cup win, the modern franchise continues to seek its place in the hockey pantheon.

While the original Senators were a formidable dynasty, the current iteration has faced its share of challenges. Despite reaching three conference finals, they have only advanced beyond that stage once—back in 2007. Today marks the 19th anniversary of that singular triumph in a Stanley Cup Final game, a moment that remains etched in the hearts of Sens fans.

On June 2, 2007, the Senators achieved their only victory in a modern Stanley Cup Final, defeating the Anaheim Ducks 5-3 in front of a raucous crowd at Scotiabank Place. The atmosphere was electric, fueled by the excitement of the fans and the presence of the famed “Pizza Line” and goaltender Ray Emery. This was the first Cup Final game hosted in Ontario in 40 years, and it had been 80 years since Ottawa itself had seen a Cup Final match.

The game was pivotal, especially after the Senators found themselves down 2-0 in the series following two losses in Anaheim. As the home crowd rallied behind their team, Dean McAmmond delivered the winning blow, scoring late in the second period. With the game tied at three, McAmmond managed to bank a shot off Chris Pronger, one of Anaheim’s most imposing players, sending the fans into a frenzy.

The intensity of the match escalated in the third period when Pronger delivered a controversial hit on McAmmond, targeting his head and knocking him out cold. In today’s game, such an act would not only warrant ejection but likely a suspension. Back in 2007, however, Pronger remained in the game, and the league only handed down a one-game suspension later on.

Ultimately, the Ducks would go on to win the next two games and secure the Stanley Cup, but that June night in 2007 left a lasting impression. Despite the disappointment of not winning the championship, the thrill of that victory brought a glimmer of hope to Ottawa fans. For a few hours, it felt as though the Stanley Cup might finally return to the city, a dream still awaited.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.