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The greatest night in the history of the Dallas Stars franchise would take place on June 19, 1999, in Buffalo, and it was a culmination of all general manager Bob Gainey’s masterful guidance, all of head coach Ken Hitchcock’s lessons and teachings, and all of owner and chairman Thomas O. Hicks’ patience, support and leadership. The Stars and Sabres waged an epic battle in Game Six of the Stanley Cup Finals, one that lasted into the third overtime period and featured 104 shots on goal (54 for Buffalo, 50 for Dallas); 101 saves (53 for Ed Belfour, 48 for Dominik Hasek) and one heroic goal from Brett Hull that will forever live in the hearts and minds of Stars fans. Jere Lehtinen put the Stars ahead 1-0 eight minutes into the game, before Stu Barnes evened things up late in the second stanza. Nearly 80 minutes of intense, physical, pressure-packed action later, Hull set off a wild celebration on the Marine Midland Arena ice and throughout North Texas, as he put one past Hasek from in tight, clinching the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. Truly a night to remember, and to savor. |
