Stanley Cup iced by Sox?

From: The Boston Globe

Blame it on the Red Sox.

For only the second time in 112 years, the Stanley Cup -- the oldest trophy competed for by North American sports teams -- will not be awarded. And both times, the Red Sox were the defending World Series champions.

Donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, the Cup was first awarded to the amateur hockey champions of Canada in 1893, then to the winner of the National Hockey Association starting in 1910, and finally to the NHL champions beginning in 1927.

The only other time it was not awarded was 86 years ago -- a year familiar to Sox fans -- when the flu epidemic of 1919 killed 20 million people worldwide and forced the cancellation of hockey's championship series after five games.