After winning the 2022 Stanley Cup, the Colorado Avalanche let out a sigh of relief. And one big gasp.
As forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel skated toward the Avalanche to take a group photo holding the Stanley Cup, he fell to the ice and dented it. As the Cup hit the ground, Avalanche players' jaws dropped and some put their hands on their heads in disbelief.
As the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, the Cup survived over a century of championship celebrations. The Cup is no worse for the wear as it proved on social media.
In his postgame interview with ESPN reporter Emily Kaplan, Avalanche defenseman and 2022 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Cale Makar said one thing he wanted to do with the Stanley Cup was take a picture with it and his teammates. The snapshot was always going to be memorable for the Avalanche, but now, it's a photo hockey fans everywhere will never forget.
