Nathan Horton Stanley Cup update: It wasn’t airline’s fault after all; parade goes on without it
James O'Brien
Jul 17, 2011, 7:40 PM EDT
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Boston Bruins Victory Parade Getty Images
When last we checked in regarding Nathan Horton‘s disappointing, abbreviated day with the Stanley Cup, it seemed like it was another example of airlines messing everything up. While their goodwill should run out approximately five seconds following the next time they charge passengers $25 to check a bag, let’s give Jet Blue and their brethren a break for at least one day: it turns out that the chalice’s delayed route to Dunnville, Ontario wasn’t their fault.
WEEI updated the story recently, revealing that the Cup simply wasn’t checked in on time and so it didn’t make it on an 8 a.m. flight as originally planned (forcing the Cup to travel later than expected).
Because of this delay, the Cup arrived five hours late so Horton was forced to attend the parade without the Cup in hand. That created an embarrassing moment for Horton, who tried his best to celebrate in front of a crowd of 6,000 people anyway.
“I’m kind of embarrassed it’s not here,” said Horton, addressing the crowd. “But we’ll do our best to get it here so you can take pictures.” When he landed in Buffalo earlier Sunday, the Cup — which was supposed to have been on the flight — wasn’t there.
(snip)
“I’m not 100 per cent certain, but I think it was because (the Cup handler) was late (to the airport),” said Tammy Horton, Nathan’s wife. “It may have been an error by the airline. But it sucks because we can’t extend a day with the Cup. Everybody gets a day. It was supposed to be 9 a.m. until midnight.
“Hopefully (the crowd) isn’t mad the Cup’s late.”
The sad part is that it’s unlikely that Horton will receive any kind of “do-over” with the Cup. It’s next destination is the Czech Republic – not exactly a stone’s throw from Ontario. WEEI provides the Cup’s schedule; we’ll begin with its first stop after Horton completes his run with the Cup today.
Tomas Kaberle: Kladno, Czech Republic
David Krejci: Sternberk, Czech Republic
Zdeno Chara: Trencin, Slovakia
Tuukka Rask: Savonlinna, Finland
Shawn Thornton: Oshawa, Ontario
Daniel Paille: Welland, Ontario
Rich Peverley: Guelph, Ontario
Gregory Campbell: Tillsonburg, Ontario
Tyler Seguin: Brampton, Ontario
Marc Savard: Peterborough, Ontario
Chris Kelly: Ottawa, Ontario
Patrice Bergeron: Quebec City, Quebec
Mark Recchi: Kamloops, British Columbia
Milan Lucic: Vancouver, British Columbia
Shane Hnidy: Neepawa, Manitoba
Johnny Boychuk: Edmonton, Alberta
Adam McQuaid: Prince Edward Island
Brad Marchand: Nova Scotia
Michael Ryder: Newfoundland
Tim Thomas: Flint, Mich.
(If you really want to follow its every move, The Canadian Press provides a little more detail as far as when it will be in those places.)
Considering the bumpy road Horton took to earn his first-ever Cup, I’d imagine that the people of Dunnville will give him the benefit of the doubt. They might not be too pleased with whomever was actually at fault for the mistake, though. (If they ever find out.)
http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...arade-goes-on-without-it/ 
