Stanley Cup to Devils

New Jersey Devils won the Stanley Cup.

The Devils, riding the greatest home-ice advantage in NHL playoffs history, ended the Mighty Ducks` remarkable playoff run and won the Cup with a 3-0 victory Monday night. The Devils last won the Standley Cup in 1995 and 2000.

The Devils swept all four games at home—all with the second period proving decisive—in the first finals since 1965 and only the third in which the home team won every game. For example, the Devils won all home games of Game 1, 2, and 5.

Mike Rupp, who hadn`t played in the postseason until unexpectedly being called in Game 4, scored the first goal and set up Jeff Friesen for the other two.

Martin Brodeur turned aside 24 shots in his third shutout of the series. He shut out Game 1 and Game 2 already. It is another playoff record.

Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere still won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. Jean-Sebastien Giguere`s goaltending carried the Anaheim Mighty Ducks all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. Giguere`s efforts in his postseason debut were recognized with the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, making him the fifth player from a losing team to be selected.

He never smiled as he accepted the large silver trophy and immediately skated off the ice with it as the Devils applauded. New Jersey fans, eager for one of their own to win it, booed him. "The kid had a great playoff," New Jersey coach Pat Burns said. "He brought that team to where they are."

The Devils were a record 12-1 at home, allowing only 13 goals. On the other hand, seven-seeded Annaheim had to swallow a bitter defeat in the final.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com