Sports
Update: Smithtown Native Chases Stanley Cup Dream
Although the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup, Smithtown native Chris Higgins had a great series. Check out the seven games of statistics for Higgins.
Smithtown native Chris Higgins has had an unforgettable season in the NHL, one with many twists and turns that didn't seem possible a year ago.
During the 2009-10 hockey season he was playing for his hometown New York Rangers, was dealt to Calgary, and signed with the Florida Panthers prior to the 2010-11 season.
"Obviously I'm very excited," he told Sporting News when the deal was finalized. "It's a great opportunity to come down and prove myself again."
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Then 48 games into his season in the Sunshine State, Higgins was dealt again, this time for good measure. He put up 11 goals and 12 assists for Florida, who was floundering. Vancouver saw his services as a valuable asset to a club that could contend for the Stanley Cup at season's end.
The Canucks kicked off the first game of the Cup finals against Boston Wednesday. Game two will take place Saturday at 8 p.m.
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Higgins, who is sporting a burley playoff beard, is looking to become only the second Long Island native to win a Stanley Cup behind Syosset's Rob Scuderi, who did it with Pittsburgh in 2009.
During the regular season Higgins scored twice and assisted three times, but in 18 playoff games he's scored four goals, assisted three times and has a +4 rating.
Patch.com will be providing updates on Higgins and his performances throughout the cup finals in this story document, so stay tuned for highlights ...
Game 1: Vancouver 1, Boston 0 ... Chris Higgins played 15:49 in Game 1, but did not register any shots, goals or assists. Former New York Islander Raffi Torres scored the game-winning goal for Vancouver with 18.5 seconds in regulation.
Game 2: Vancouver 3, Boston 2 (OT) ... Higgins assisted on the opening goal of the game, a power play notch by Alexandre Burrows. Higgins also played a total of 16:25. Burrows later scored the game-winning goal in overtime. Vancouver has a 2-0 series lead and the Cup is only two games away from making a trip to Long Island this summer. Game 3 is Monday at 5 p.m. in Boston.
Game 3: Boston 8, Vancouver 1 ... The Canucks took a brief setback in their quest for Lord Stanley Monday night. Boston rattled off eight goals and Vancouver had no answer. Higgins logged 16:27 of ice time in Game 3, but did not register any goals or assists. He took four shots in 23 shifts. Game 4 is Wednesday, June 8 in Boston at 8 p.m. EST.
Game 4: Boston 4, Vancouver 0 ... Things are not looking good for Vancouver and Higgins. The Canucks dropped their second straight game on the road. Higgins logged just 13:11 of ice time and recorded one shot. He went -1 on the night also. Game 5 will take place in Vancouver, Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m. EST. The series is tied 2-2.
Game 5: Vancouver 1, Boston 0 ... It was home sweet home for Vancouver, who dropped Games 3 and 4 on the road in Boston. The Canucks took a 3-2 series lead with their victory Friday evening and are one win away from winning the Stanley Cup. Higgins logged 14:44 of ice time and was 1-for-3 in the face off circle. Game 6 is Monday at 8 p.m. EST back in Boston.
Game 6: Boston 5, Vancouver 2 ... Boston continued its winning ways at home, scoring four goals in roughly four minutes early in the contest. Both teams will head back to Vancouver for a deciding Game 7 on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST. Higgins logged 14:48 of ice time and played in over three minutes of power play situations. He won the only face off he took and was -1 on the night.
Game 7: Boston 4, Vancouver 0 ... Higgins logged his most ice time of the series with 18:04, but his team couldn't muster a way to win the Stanley Cup this season. He took four shots in the game and was 1-for-1 in the face off circle. Boston wins the Cup for the first time since 1972.
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