Appetizers:
1. What team repeated this year as Stanley Cup champions?
2. What team won the NBA Championship for the first time at their new location?
Answers
1. Who knew that Florida of all places would become the hub of modern hockey greatness? This year's Stanley Cup finals saw a rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.
But alas, Connor McDavid would once again be denied his first NHL championship as the FLORIDA PANTHERS prevailed for a second year in a row. Led by captain Aleksander Barkov, the rats on ice dominated the Oilers in Game 6, routing them 5-1. The team was helped along by the likes of Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand, but the Conn Smythe trophy (Finals MVP) went to forward Sam Bennett. Do we smell a dynasty in the making?
2. What a fun and fast-paced NBA Finals series between two young and exciting teams. Ultimately, the OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER handily beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 to win their first NBA Championship in Oklahoma (the franchise had previously won a title as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979). Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton collapsed in the first quarter after tearing his Achilles tendon — he may be out for all of next year.
OKC went on to a cruising victory, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has won both the league-wide MVP award and the Finals MVP trophy. This OKC squad, supported by the likes of Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, is young and statistically dominant. Expect to see them going far in the play-offs over the next few seasons as well.
Entrees:
3. What American won the women's singles event at the 2025 French Open? What Spaniard defended his French Open men single's title with a second consecutive Roland Garros trophy?
4. A soccer double header: What red-clad team won the English Premiere League this year? What French team won the UEFA Champions league this year?
5. What Canadian swimmer broke three world records in early June in the women's 400 free, 200 IM, and 400 IM?