Why Patrick Kane’s Game 6 goal might be the most iconic in Blackhawks history

On June 9, 2010, something spectacular happened.

Patrick Kane scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The goal not only won the game, but ended the Blackhawks' 49-year Stanley Cup drought. That moment started the powerhouse dynasty team of the 2010s Blackhawks.

Heading into Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, the last time the Blackhawks had won the Stanley Cup was in 1961. Legends such as Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Glenn Hall were on the team then. The team had gone nearly five full decades without a Stanley Cup.

But in 2010, that changed everything.

In 2010, the Blackhawks were a young, fast and skilled team. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews (2010 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner), Duncan Keith and other stars helped lead the team back to the top. There was pressure, but also belief. Chicago had a 3-2 series lead going into Game 6 against the Flyers.

The goal no one saw coming

The game went into overtime tied 3-3. Everyone was tense. The game was going to go either way: a Blackhawks Stanley Cup win or a Flyers Game 6 win and Game 7 back in Chicago.

Just a few minutes into the extra period, Kane took the puck on the left side, skated toward Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen, then fired a quick shot from a tough angle near the goal line that slid past the pads of Flyers goalie Michael Leighton.

Kane threw his gloves and stick into the air. He started celebrating like he had just won the Stanley Cup — because he had. But no one else saw the puck go in. The red goal light didn't come on. Everybody was stunned. But Kane knew it went in, and his teammates poured off the bench and celebrated with him.

Soon, the referees looked at the replay. The overhead camera showed the puck going into the net and under the pads. The goal was good. The game was over, and the Chicago Blackhawks were Stanley Cup champions.

A wild celebration

Once the goal was confirmed, everybody continued celebrating. Coach Joel Quenneville raised his arms. The Flyers were stunned. Blackhawks fans watching on TV screamed, and celebrated at their homes and at bars across the city. The Cup had finally come home.

Toews, the Blackhawks team captain, accepted the Stanley Cup. The players passed it around one by one. It was the end of the drought and the beginning of a dynasty.

Why this goal stands out

There have been many great goals in Blackhawks history, but none of them were like this one.

Kane's goal:

• Won the Stanley Cup

• Ended a 49-year drought

• Happened in sudden-death overtime

• Had everyone confused

• Became one of the most-watched highlights in hockey history

The NHL later named it the "Goal of the Decade" for the 2010s. It was not the prettiest goal. It wasn't a slap shot from the blue line, but it was the biggest.

The beginning of a new era

That goal started the Blackhawks 2010s dynasty and a powerhouse team, winning again in 2013 and 2015. Kane became one of the top players in the league. The team was one of the most stacked teams in the NHL during the 2010s.

Fans still remember the goal 15 years later. It was the greatest goal in team history, and will never be forgotten.