VIDEO: Even the Czech legend’s magic didn’t help. That’s how Dominik Hasek lost his chance at the Stanley Cup nearly 25 years ago after a controversial goal by Hull

Dominik Hasek was in fantastic form in the 1998/99 season. He was a key figure for the Buffalo Sabres, practically single-handedly leading the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. There he shined against the favored Dallas Stars. The Czech goalie kept Buffalo’s hopes alive for a long time, but then came Game 6 of the final series and Brett Hull’s controversial golden goal.

Dominik Hasek entered the playoffs in great shape again

Dominik Hašek had another great season in 1998/99 with the Buffalo Sabres. He played 64 games in the regular season, 30 of which were wins. In addition, for the second time in his career, he pushed the number of goals scored below two goals per game (1.87) and kept 9 clean sheets.

Most importantly, he was the goalie with the highest save percentage (93.7%) for the sixth consecutive season. Just for the record, just one season later, the NHL started awarding the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award, which is given annually to the goalie with the highest save percentage. The Czech goalie would be the sixth recipient of this trophy.

Dominik Hasek was awarded his fifth Vezina Trophy after the season (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999). It is awarded annually to the best goalkeeper of the season. Thanks to the performance of the Czech legend, a mediocre Buffalo team entered the playoffs from the 7th place in the Eastern Conference. In the 1st round Hašek’s team faced the strong Ottawa Senators.

The Sabres surprised the Canadian team in the fastest possible way, 4:0. The Czech goaltender scored only 6 goals and kept a clean sheet once. In the conference semifinals, Hašek’s Buffalo blew away the Boston Bruins in six games and in the conference finals they quickly dashed the hopes of the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games.

In the finals, Buffalo challenged Dallas

Dominik Hasek led the Buffalo Sabres to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in franchise history. The first time the Sabres played in the finals was in 1975. This final featured teams that had never won hockey’s most valuable trophy.

The best team in the regular season, the Dallas Stars, had the advantage of the opening two games on home ice. However, to the surprise of the home fans, Buffalo triumphed in Game 1 of the final series. In the 76th minute of overtime, Jason Woolley scored. Dallas made up for it in Game 2, beating the Czech goalie four times to even the series at 1-1.

The next two games on Buffalo’s home ice ended 2:1, with each team taking one win. After four games, no one had the upper hand, both teams managed to win on the opponent’s ice. In the fifth game, the home team’s goalie Ed Belfour reigned supreme. He kept a clean sheet and the Dallas team was one win away from the coveted trophy.

Brett Hull’s controversial golden goal

The sixth game of the final series was played on Buffalo ice and went into the third overtime. It was decided by a disputed goal at 114:51.

Dominik Hasek had 48 hits, Ed Belfour had 53. However, Brett Hull scored the winning goal in a very controversial way. He took advantage of the puck skating on his stick and was standing with his foot in the crease when he scored. Judge for yourself if it was a regulation goal.

Either way, it was one of the most controversial moments ever to decide a Stanley Cup winner.

Dominik Hasek finally got the coveted Stanley Cup, twice. But in the colors of the Detroit Red Wings. But the stench of that game will probably stay with him forever, and no wonder.

Source: NHL