The Flames were a goal away from the Stanley Cup.
The folks in Calgary won't forget June 5, 2004, and neither will the folks in Tampa Bay, or Martin St. Louis.
The undersized St. Louis kept the Lightning alive that night in Game 6 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Final, scoring the double-overtime winner to force the series back to Florida.
Two nights later, St. Louis and the Lightning were Stanley Cup champions.
To the rafters
On Friday night, St. Louis, countless members of the Lightning organization, and Bolts fans across the land will recall that hot night in June while St. Louis has his number retired, becoming the first Lightning player bestowed with the honor.
The good times began Thursday, when St. Louis took part in a ceremonial faceoff before Tampa Bay beat Buffalo.
(Courtesy: NHL Public Relations)
That's Stanley Cup happiness, right there, folks.
Lightning forever
St. Louis is a Lightning legend. Not only was that the biggest goal of his career, it is arguably the biggest goal in Lightning franchise history. Without it, Tampa Bay doesn't play for the Cup. Without it, Dave Andreychuk maybe never wins a Cup.
No. 26 belongs up high, and never again on a Lightning jersey. It's Marty's. His name is littered throughout the Lightning record book. He's second to Vincent Lecavalier in games played (972) and goals (365), and is the franchise's all-time leader in assists (588), game-winning goals (64), and points (953).
St. Louis wore a Flames jersey, and a New York Rangers jersey, but he'll always be a member of the Lightning. Once and for all, Friday evening.
And at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, he was never supposed to be anything at all. What a career.
