Stars are EHE's first to raise Stanley Cup

WASHINGTON – Zach Parise raised the Stanley Cup over his head and soaked in the moment. Brad Marchand pumped his arms in celebration. Marian Hossa pulled a Stars flag over his broad shoulders.

The Dallas Stars became the first Stanley Cup in the history of the Elite Hockey Experience with a 1-0 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 6 of the Final.

"We're going to enjoy this so much," Stars defenseman Jason Garrison said. "We know it's going to be a short summer, but that's what we want. It's unbelievable. I don't think there's going to be much sleeping tonight."

Radim Vrbata scored the lone goal 7:57 into the third period and Carey Price stopped all 26 shots against to propel the Stars to the championship.

After Dallas captain Parise was the first to lift the Stanley Cup in front of a disappointed crowd at Verizon Center, he then handed the chalice to Barret Jackman.

"It's sort of become tradition to hand the Cup off to the elder statesman on the team," Parise said. "I had no idea that Barret's only 34. He looks like he's in his late-50s."

Parise, himself, was an integral part of their run to the Cup, scoring the second-most goals in the playoffs (13), while he and linemate Marian Hossa each posted 27 points. However, it was Price who was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. His .930 save percentage and four shutouts ranked atop all goaltenders in the playoffs.

"We all know he's going to go down as one of the great players to play the game," Parise said of Price being named MVP. "In our room, we knew that before the playoffs, but he keeps proving it time and time again. So I couldn't be happier for a guy like that. It's really incredible."

The Stars got out in front midway through the third period by taking advantage of an offensive zone faceoff after an icing by Capitals defenseman Fedor Tyutin. Nazem Kadri won the draw to Marchand, whose one-timer missed the net but caromed off the boards when right to Vrbata for his 5th postseason goal.

"It wasn't exactly how we set it up but it shows what can happen as long as you're in the right position," Stars head coach Mike Babcock said. "Radim goes kind of under the radar with the big names on our team. Now he will live in infamy."

Stars general manager Jesse Sheridan, who was rumored to be leaving the team for other ventures regardless of the outcome, was reportedly so thrilled with the win that his cell phone and laptop both went flying into his pool and can no longer be reached for further comment about anything... ever.

For the Capitals, it is a disappointing end to a strong season and even stronger playoffs. After two hat tricks to start the series, Tyler Seguin was held in check the final two games and the rest of the Capitals could only muster up one goal.

Goalie Roberto Luongo did his part, stopping 29 of 30 shots in Game 6. "What else is there to say?" Luongo asked after the loss. "We'll have to spend the summer thinking about this and it sucks."

Meanwhile, the Stars will spend their summer with a giant silver chalice. Marian Hossa claims that he and Vrbata would attempt to sell the Cup in order to buy their entire home country of Slovakia. "We don't want to be greedy about it though. We'll let most of the guys have their day with the Cup first. Well... maybe not Chris Neil."