I Need A Good Blackhawks Memory Today So Here’s a Golden Anniversary

All signs point to today being the day the Patrick Kane trade happens, which makes today a somber day for Blackhawks fans. Yeah, I’m in a funk. Between the late games and the really good guys departing the organization recently, it’s a tough time to be a Blackhawks fan.

So when I looked at the calendar and saw today was the 13th anniversary of one of the greatest games ever played, it felt like an opportunity for us to celebrate what was one more time.

On Feb. 28, 2010, Canada defeated the United States in an epic gold medal game at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

With their win in that tournament and subsequent Stanley Cup championship a little less than four months later, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook became just the fourth, fifth and sixth players to win both Olympic gold medal and Stanley Cup in the same year. Toews scored Canada’s first goal in the gold medal game.

“That was a game for the ages,” said Toews. “It doesn’t get any better than that. I’m sure it’ll be very memorable for a lot of people and especially for the guys in that locker room that found a way to win.”

Patrick Kane settled for the silver; he became the fourth player to win a silver medal and the Cup in the same year. One of the previous three: Chris Chelios in 2002.

Toews really established himself as an elite player on the world stage in this tournament. He was named one of the three forwards on the all-tournament team (with Zach Parise and Pavol Demitra). Note: Sidney Crosby didn’t get that honor — Toews did. (Of course Crosby scored the golden goal, a moment some tab as a signature moment in his Hall of Fame career.)

With the gold and Cup in 2010, Toews also became the youngest ever member of the IIHF Triple Gold Club (men’s World Championship gold, Olympic gold and Stanley Cup championship). Crosby wouldn’t join the Club until 2015. To this day, only 30 players have entered that exclusive group; Toews is still the youngest 13 years later.

Marian Hossa finished the tournament with nine points in seven games, which ranked second. Toews’ eight points (one goal and a tournament-leading seven assists) were tied for third. Toews also led the entire tournament with a plus-nine rating.