1982 Lewis Cup Finals

The 1982 Lewis Cup Finals would pit the St. Louis Spirits against the Pittsburgh Stingers, two of the top up-and-coming teams in the PHL both looking for their first Lewis Cup. Although St. Louis was favored to win, it was only by a very slim margin. The matchup was highlighted by two superstar forwards, Danny Stevenson of Pittsburgh, and David Appleby of St. Louis. Neither player would disappoint. Despite still being bothered by a shoulder injury he had suffered at the start of the playoffs, Stevenson played one of the best games of his career, scoring all four goals in a 4-3 Pittsburgh victory in game one. St. Louis would tie the series at one apiece with a 4-3 in game two before David Appleby put on a clinic of his own in game three in Pittsburgh, scoring a hat-trick as the game went into overtime. Just 22 seconds into the first overtime, Kevin Cummins scored to give the Spirits the win and a 2-1 series lead. Game four would be the third consecutive overtime game, but this one would not end nearly as quickly as game three. Ricky Spooner and Gary Bowen each turned in a spectacular effort as one overtime turned into two. Towards the end of the second overtime, Stevenson beat Spooner with a hard wrist shot but hit the post. Twelve minutes into the third overtime, Stevenson beat Spooner again but this time would not be denied as the Stingers tied the series 2-2. In game five, Dave Farris opened the scoring for Pittsburgh while Gary Bowen made 17 saves in the first period. It appeared the Stingers would pull ahead with the series lead. However just 90 seconds into the second period, Grant Millen and David Appleby each scored just seconds apart to give the Spirits a 2-1 lead. In the third period, Appleby scored again while Niklas Ekberg scored the empty netter to seal the victory and a 3-2 series lead. St. Louis was just one win away from winning the Lewis Cup. 

With the Cup in the building for game six, all the pressure was on Pittsburgh to win at home and extend the series. The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period before Dave Breedon put the Stingers up minutes into the second. The lead held up for just over five minutes before Appleby scored to tie it 2-2. The score remained tied through to the third period. It appeared the game might go to overtime again as both goaltenders stood their ground. With just six minutes left, Stevenson nearly scored but was robbed by Ricky Spooner with a beautiful glove save. Finally, with just twelve seconds left, 19-year veteran Ted Mulroney found himself on a breakaway. As soon as he crossed the blueline he slapped it on net. To the crowd’s shock, the puck found its way past Bowen into the net. The St. Louis players spilled off the bench and mobbed Mulroney, forgetting that they still had twelve seconds left to play. During the dying seconds, Pittsburgh did manage one more shot on goal, but Spooner answered with a big save as the seconds wound down and the Spirits celebrated for real this time. David Appleby was named playoff MVP, becoming the only player in league history to score at least one goal in every game in the Lewis Cup Finals. Ted Mulroney announced his retirement from the game after 19 seasons, stating that his career “could not have ended any better.” Thirteen seasons after the PHL/GHL merger, the St. Louis Spirits were now the fourth former GHL team to claim the Lewis Cup.