NHL champions Colorado Avalanche return to Denver following win over Lighting | Stanley Cup | Hockey

The new NHL champions Colorado Avalanche returned to Denver Monday following their game six victory over the Tampa Bay Lighting. Players hoisted the trophy as fans cheered on the tarmac. After years of playoff disappointments, the Colorado Avalanche are back atop hockey's mountain after dethroning the two-time defending champions. The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup for the third time in franchise history and first in more than two decades by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the final Sunday night.