FOR BROKEN WINGS; DETROIT DEDICATES CUP WIN TO INJURED TEAMMATE, MASSEUR : DETROIT 4, WASHINGTON 1.

Byline: Tom Canavan Associated Press 

This Stanley Cup wasn't for players or fans. This one was for friends - Vlady and Sergei.

The Detroit Red Wings became the first team to win consecutive Stanley Cups since 1992, completing a sweep of the Washington Capitals with a 4-1 victory Tuesday night behind a two-goal performance by Doug Brown.

The Red Wings' second straight sweep also gave Scotty Bowman a record-tying eighth Stanley Cup as a coach and capped an emotional and tumultuous season that followed the team's first championship in 42 years.

Six days after the 1997 celebration started, it tragically ended in a automobile accident that left defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov with severe head injuries.

``Vlady's spirit was present in us all season long,'' winger Igor Larionov said.

``Victory No. 16 for No. 16,'' added Vyacheslav Fetisov, referring to Konstantinov's jersey number and the number of games necessary to win the NHL title.

``This is for this man, who will run and walk again,'' Fetisov said, his hand on the shoulder of Konstantinov, who was brought down to the ice in a wheelchair for the celebration.

After the teams exchanged handshakes, the Stanley Cup was presented to Konstantinov, who beamed as it teetered on his lap. His teammates formed a circle around him, and at his teammates' urging, he feebly raised two fingers to signify the second title.

``I said, `Vlady, put two fingers in the air. We did this for you,' '' Vyacheslav Kozlov said.

With the Cup still on his wheelchair, his teammates pushed him around the ice in a victory lap.

Konstantinov, considered one of the NHL's top defensemen, watched the game from the stands at the MCI Center. When the Red Wings opened a 4-1 lead early in the third period, chants of ``Vlady! Vlady! Vlady!'' cascaded through the arena from the thousands of Detroit fans who somehow got tickets.

When the chants reached a peak, Konstantinov's wife, Irina, helped her husband to his feet. He waved his fist and the cheers grew louder.

Even Washington fans seemed to join in as their team's first trip to the NHL finals ended quickly. It was the fourth straight sweep, the first time that has happened in major pro sports history.

Konstantinov, wearing a Red Wings jersey, was wheeled onto the ice immediately after the game to take part in the trophy presentation.

Martin Lapointe and Larry Murphy also scored for the Red Wings, while goalie Chris Osgood completed a spectacular series by making 30 saves. He allowed seven goals in 99 shots in the series.

Osgood, who had been maligned for giving up three long goals earlier in the playoffs, was every bit the equal of Washington's Olaf Kolzig, who was outstanding in defeat.

Brian Bellows, whose wife gave birth to a son between the first two games of the series, got his second goal in as many games for Washington. The Caps had the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference under new coach Ron Wilson and came into the finals as a heavy underdog after New Jersey, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia were eliminated in the first round.

``Guys have different reasons why they want to win,'' Detroit associate coach Dave Lewis said before Game 4. ``The biggest reason now is for Sergei and Vlady. Not much has been said about it, but that has been the driving force for this team since Day 1 of training camp.''

BY THE NUMBERS

3: Teams coach Scotty Bowman has won a Stanley Cup title with (Montreal, Pittsburgh and Detroit)

5: Teams this decade to sweep the finals in four games

8: Consecutive victories in the finals by the Red Wings

9: Stanley Cup championships for the Detroit Red Wings

13 - 7: The margin Detroit outscored Washington in the finals

24: Points scored by finals MVP Steve Yzerman (6 goals, 18 assists)

49 - 38: Detroit's overall record in the Stanley Cup finals

374: Days since Detroit last hoisted the Stanley Cup (June 7, 1997)

.929: Goalie Chris Osgood's save percentage in the finals (7 goals, 99 shots)

REPEATS

Here are the teams that won the Stanley Cup at least two years in a row in the past 30 years.

Detroit (1997-98)

Pittsburgh (1991-92)

Edmonton (1987-88)

Edmonton (1984-85)

N.Y. Islanders (1980-83)

Montreal (1976-79)

Philadelphia (1974-75)

Montreal (1968-69)

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO (Color) Series MVP Steve Yzerman hoists the Stanley Cup after the Red Wings' second straight title.

Susan Walsh/Associated Press

BOX: REPEATS (see text)