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Two years ago today: The Pens win their fifth Stanley Cup in Nashville

Patric Hornqvist scores late, Matt Murray shuts out the Preds and the Pens were back-to-back champs!

By Hooks Orpik
NHL: Stanley Cup Final-Pittsburgh Penguins at Nashville Predators
Jun 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period in game six of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

June 11, 2017 - the Pittsburgh Penguins win the franchise’s fifth Stanley Cup in Nashville. The Pens defeated the Predators 2-0 when Patric Hornqvist did the damn thing and scored this goal with just 1:35 left in the third period to break what was a scoreless game.

Does it feel like two years? In some ways it feels like yesterday, in some ways it already feels like a forever ago.

Indeed, a scan of the roster report shows nine of the 20 players that dressed that night are already gone. Another (Matt Cullen) may retire and trade speculation is pointing to two more (Olli Maatta and Phil Kessel) maybe/likely/probably also leaving. And that doesn’t count Nick Bonino who missed the game with a broken leg and of course also left the team.

Time moves fast and is unforgiving in the NHL.

But it can’t take away the accomplishment of what went down. Below are some of the pictures available in the blog editor, which are always fun to look back on.

2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

(His hat being messed up always makes me laugh)

2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
NHL: Stanley Cup Final-Pittsburgh Penguins at Nashville Predators Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six Photo by Dave Sandford - Pool/Getty Images

The Penguins became the first and to date only back-to-back champions in the NHL’s salary cap era, and given how hard that accomplishment is, that could be an achievement that stands for a very long time.

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