Chicago Rules? Yes indeed.

Chicago Blackhawks win the 2010 Stanley Cup

Let's start with the math. 8.28 million viewers: That was the estimated number of viewers for Game 6 -- the final one played in the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. 36 years: That's how long it has been since the NHL last had a viewership which approached this level. 50-percent: The number of homes in the Chicago area which were tuned into the game. 4 to 3: The final score of the game which went into overtime before it was over. 49 years ago: The amount of time which passed since Chicago previously hoisted Lord Stanley's mug.

A little over four minutes into overtime, Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane takes a shot along the goal line. The puck slips past Philadelphia Flyers' goalie Michael Leighton, travels to the far side, and wedges itself inside under the net skirt. For a brief moment, the only person who knows it's a goal is Kane. Not Leighton. Not any of the other players on either team. Not the refs. For the moment, only Kane seems to know why the puck cannot be found anywhere on open ice. But even though the scoring horn doesn't go off, Kane's gloves come flying off. And while the Chicago bench pours onto the ice, the play is reviewed, the goal is awarded, and the hometown Philadelphia fans stand in shock.

Chicago beats Philadelphia four games to two in the finals and, after nearly a half-century, the Stanley Cup belongs to the Chicago Blackhawks, thus ending the longest drought in NHL championship history. Need to see the final play for yourself? Click Here for a YouTube Video.

It was a close finish here at HockeyUnlimited as well. Going into the finals, three HU'ers had a shot at winning the contest. SlapShot, who was in the lead at the conclusion of the semi-finals, needed Philadelphia to win (even though he didn't pick them). When the Broad Street Bullies got bullied, SlapShot went down for the count. BillPhila picked Chi-town -- not Phila -- and got that part correct. Only, BillPhila needed a total score of eight goals or more to win on the tiebreaker. That left HU'er ChicagoRules. Obvisiously, she placed all her hopes on the Blackhawks and her wish was granted. What eventually won it for ChicagoRules, however, was her perfect prediction of seven goals being scored in the final game played. Four (for Chicago) plus three (for Philly) equals seven. ChicagoRules? Yes indeed.

This concludes HockeyUnlimited for 2010. The Commish thanks everyone who participated and will be preparing a $75 winner's check for ChicagoRules. Enjoy the remainder of the 2010 ArmChairSportsClub season and make sure you come back here next April when we'll do this all over again.

Chicago Rules? Yes indeed.

Click Here for the Final Standings