Stanley Cup winner and no Cup to hand out? It almost happened

Kevin Allen | USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO — Suppose an NHL team won a Stanley Cup, but the Cup wasn't there to be carried around the ice.

It almost happened Monday night when Hall of Fame executive Phil Pritchard and the Stanley Cup were delayed coming from the hotel by a torrential downpour and flooding on the streets.

"The roads were all closed," Pritchard said. "We had a police escort, but it looked like we going through lakes."

It is only several miles from the hotel to the United Center, but Pritchard said it took "a very long time" to get to the rink. The Cup arrived after the game was over, but before the Cup was due on the ice. The arrival of the Cup on the rink looked like it always does.

"I'm concerned about the fans getting home," Pritchard said. "But they may want to stay here and party all night."

Pritchard said he looked at the weather report and eight inches of rain was projected for the night.

"Mother Nature was not a hockey fan tonight," he said.