TAMPA – The celebration of a championship offers but a simple snapshot of a bigger story.
That final picture shows the smiles and the hugs. For a Stanley Cup champion, it also includes a 35-pound chalice raised in the air, a hand clenched on either side of the trophy, and two-months of facial hair.
But there is always a story of what took place behind the scenes along the way. It’s rarely a smooth ride to the finish.
The 12-year journey for Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos to find that kind of a photo finish was not without a unique set of challenges this season unlike any he’s faced...
