By MaryPaoletti
CSNNE.com StaffReporterFollow@mary_paoletti
The Bruins react to their first Stanley Cup championship in 39 years . . .
TIM THOMAS
On if he's "proved" himself to career critics
For now. I know the game, and I know the way that it is, you know. Winning the Stanley Cup is huge. It's the biggest accomplishment of my career thus far. But everybody knows in this game that you have to continuously prove yourself. I'm sure if I were to, for example, start out the season bad next year that I probably, with the Cup, would have bought myself a little bit of leeway, but it won't last forever unless I turn my game around.
If he ever visualized himself winning the Cup while battling to get to the NHL
No. At that time I was probably just visualizing each game one at a time when I was in Finland. I didn't want to think about the NHL because it seemed like it was so far away. But having said that, I was happy playing where I was playing. I was playing in a very good league and I had a lot of good friends over there. I'm very happy that I made the decision to come back. It was a tough decision at the time, but it paid off in the long run in this case.
What went through his mind after Patrice Bergeron's goal
I was hoping someone else would score so I wouldnt have to shut 'em out. I was happy going into the game, talked about not getting too high. If we do score, you can't act like you've won the Stanley Cup because you will get an emotional high and it will end up showing on the ice. I was just trying to stay level. It was just one goal. It was a huge goal, the game-winning goal, but at that time, there was still a lot of game and a lot of work left to do.
A message to the fans who have waited 39 years
You've been waiting a long time, but you got it. You wanted it, you got it. We're bringing it home.
On if he lost confidence at all during the series
Yeah, to be completely honest with you, Game 6 at home. Right off the opening face-off there was a guy that whacked it backhand from the outside blue line right off the opening face-off and I just lost it. It was up in the air and I went into full panic mode in my mind. .... So, yeah, I was scared. I won't lie. I had nerves yesterday and today. I faked it as well as I could, and I faked my way all the way to the Stanley Cup.
Boston Bruins
Feeling to win the Conn Smythe trophy
It's quite an honor. The Stanley Cup is the biggest one. That's the one that you're shooting for. Conn Smythe is completely an honor. I just sat down here and started to read some of the names on it and it's an honor to be mentioned in the same Maple leaf. Patrick, Ron Hextall, Ken Dryden, those are the three goalies that I can see on this side facing me, it's amazing.
PATRICE BERGERON
On the "changing of the guard;"past, present and future of current team
Obviously, I talked to Recchi last night and I was feeling nervous and I asked him to give me some advice. He told me to relax and go out there and play the game and to do it for him. Obviously it could be his last game and I've learned so much from him on and off the ice, it's a great feeling that we've accomplished this as a team. You're right, the future looks bright with all the guys that we have, but to be honest with you, I'm worrying about the celebration right now.
On his first goal, first of the game
I'm not sure, but I was ready for it. And Recchi tried to shoot, and obviously it was perfect because I was ready as well behind him. We sort of surprised 'em. That first goal was huge.
Mary Paoletti can be reached at mpaoletti@comcastsportsnet.com.Follow Mary on Twitter at http:twitter.comMary_Paoletti